MSNBC's Witt falsely claimed Reid received campaign contributions from Abramoff
SUMMARY: MSNBC Live anchor Alex Witt falsely claimed that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid received political contributions from former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
On the February 10 edition of MSNBC Live, anchor Alex Witt falsely claimed that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) "collected nearly $68,000 in campaign contributions" from former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In fact, as Media Matters for America has previously noted, a Center for Responsive Politics breakdown of Abramoff's donations shows that Abramoff made contributions only to Republicans, not Democrats.
The $68,000 figure that Witt cited, in fact, refers to contributions Reid received from Abramoff partners and clients, but not Abramoff himself.
From the 1 p.m. ET hour of the February 10 edition of MSNBC Live:
WITT: Now, records show that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid had closer ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff than initially thought. The documents show Reid wrote at least four letters to Indian tribes represented by Abramoff, and his staff was in close contact with the lobbyist's office. Reid collected nearly $68,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff over three years. Reid has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
"The 68, 000 figure that Witt cited, in fact, refers to contributions Reid received from Abramoff partners and clients, but not Abramoff himself."
Isn't this just parsing the issue? Isn't the actual scandal about Abramoff's shady partnerships and business practices? How would Abramoff's personal contributions be a problem unless a quid pro quo can be proven?
Can someone clarify this?
Therefore exactly why would money gotten directly FROM Abramoff who IS accused of such bribery be considered as the same as money taken from those who have proven to be his victims and have NEVER been accused of such bribery? Any clearer?
over at TPM, Josh Marshall points out that MSNBC just changed its headline from "Top Democrat Reid Met Often with Abramoff", which is a lie to "Top Democrat Reid Aided Abramoff Clients" which is still untrue.
They're having a ethics malfunction over at MSNBC that almost would put Fox News to shame.
How is "Top Democrat Reid Aided Abramoff Clients" untrue?
Even this site has acknowledged that ("contributions Reid received from Abramoff partners and clients").
Reid collected nearly $68,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff over three years. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Patently and demonstrably untrue
there's this guy named ken lay on trial in houston? and he's a personal buddy of george w. bush to the point of attending parties at each other's homes and exchanging cards? and yet not a whimper from the media about these direct connections, but plenty of innuendo about contributions to democrats that have no direct connections to abramoff.
The second the Enron scandal hit the media bricks, Bush, who had BORROWED Lay's private jet for his 2000 election campaign, said Oh, he's just an acquaintance. An acquaintance? I wouldn't let my BEST FRIEND borrow my car let alone an "acquaintance".
These Republican swine no nothing about allegiance. Rats one and all, quick to jump the sinking ship.
to mention Ken Lay was golf partner with Bill Clinton.
Wouldn't want you to forget that fact.
1-800-clinton-anon. so clinton played a round of golf with ken lay? and that somehow equates to the long personal relationship between "kenny boy" and the bush family, and all his political support of w.
What has it been--at least a week--since it was established that no Democrats got money from Abramoff. Yet MSM outlets continue to push the lie. This is just incredible. Abramoff gave thousands to Bush; Bush claims he doesn't know him; the MSM collectively shrugs. At the same time, the MSM keeps pushing the lie that demos got money from Abramoff. How can we possibly have enlightened political discourse in this country if this continues?
Bill Clinton hasn't been president for six years, LEATHERHELMET. How much longer will Bush supporters trot him out as some kind of counterpoint to Bush's cronyism and corruption?
Besides, this thread is about the MSM falsely claiming that Reid and other Democrats got campaign contributions from Abramoff. Since Bush supporters cannot refute that, they resort to, "Yeah, but Clinton . . ."