Russert falsely suggested Sen. Reid opposes the "Office of Public Integrity" and "lobbying reform"
On the November 12 edition of NBC's Meet the Press, host and NBC News Washington bureau chief Tim Russert suggested that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (NV) opposes the creation of an independent Senate Office of Public Integrity and does not support "lobbying reform." During an interview with Connecticut Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, who has promised to caucus with Democrats after running as an independent in the midterm elections, Russert quoted a November 10 Wall Street Journal article (subscription required) claiming Reid has been "touched" by "scandals." He then asked Lieberman: "Why not use, as a condition for your vote for majority leader for Mr. Reid, that he support the Office of Public Integrity and lobbying reform, now?" However, Russert's suggestion that Reid is opposed to the creation of the Office of Public Integrity and "lobbying reform" is false -- Reid introduced lobbying reform legislation in January calling for that office's creation.
From the November 12 edition of NBC's Meet the Press:
RUSSERT: But you are in a position now to exert a lot of influence. Here's The Wall Street Journal from Friday: "Scandals Have Touched Some Key Democrats. Senator Harry Reid, who is expected to be elected to majority leader in the Senate, has come under attack for his relationship with Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a profitable land deal, and whether he inappropriately used campaign funds to give Christmas bonuses to employees at his condo complex." Why not use, as a condition for your vote for majority leader for Mr. Reid, that he support the Office of Public Integrity and lobbying reform, now? Would you consider that?
LIEBERMAN: Well, I -- I've already given my commitment, and I said to my constituents during the campaign that I would organize with the Democrats for the reason I said. I want to continue the battle --bring the Democratic Party back to its historic role as a -- as a progressive party at home and a strong party abroad, and because I'm able to maintain my seniority, which will help me do more for my people in Connecticut.
Reid introduced the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006" on January 20, which sought to "provide more rigorous requirements with respect to disclosure and enforcement of ethics and lobbying laws and regulations." The bill called for the creation of the Senate Office of Public Integrity and stipulated that all appointments to that office "be made without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position."
"relationship with republican lobbyist jack abramoff"? what relationship?
There is none. These are subtle lies... almost said in passing... that are part of 'common knowledge' = all a direct result of the their own self-perpetuating propaganda. Does Russert even know what he's saying?
Regardless of hte Russert statement, Reid has unethical problems. Democrats would be wise to get a Senator who his 100% clean of these issues. We need to practice what we preach. I would like to see Senator Patty Murray as the Majority leader. She is ethical and wonderful.
[link to www.usatoday.com]
For all the victim mentality talk of the Repubs in the media, and how they can't get a fair shake, I think it's pretty clear that anyone outside the GOP has to keep it a lot cleaner.
Notice how the blizzard of GOP scandals of late brings up countless mentions of Lewinsky, Kerry's Cambodian Xmas, Hell, Chappaquiddick- unsubstantiated rumor or debunked lie, 10 or 40 years ago, the rightys will pull it outta their hat.
I never voted a straight party ticket in my life until this year, and I marked (D) all the way. There's one thing the Bush administration accomplished, turned me into a Democrat ( for all practical purposes) after 26 years of voting very independently.
I'd like to go to my grave having never voted for a Republican, but if the Dems get a little power and start acting like the current mob of reptiles, I may go straight Green or other.
BTW, liked your comment about Reids "unethical problem". Not bagging on you, my typos are my funniest work too.
I probably have some unethical problems myself.
For the first time in my life I voted a straight Dem ticket. I have NEVER voted for a republican and cant see myself ever voting for one unless there are serious changes in the Party but I AM a green and they are a serious threat to get my votes unless Dems step up. If they get HALF as corrupt and power mad as the GOP did they wont get a single vote from me.
Can someone assure me that Prosecutor Fitzgerald, who has apparently dropped off the face of the earth, is not being detained in GitMo? We may have to wait for Democrat oversight to discover what has become of this man, who had the timerity to indict Scooter Libby, and then has disappeared.
They wish. Actually he has began preliminary work in connection with prosecuting the Libby case as the Washington Post reports in this story from October 27th. Here he takes apart Elizabeth Loftus a professor of criminology and psychology at UC Levine, during a cross examination. This is an important step in the trial since "the memory defense" made so famous by Ronald Reagan during Iran Contra will be an important cornerstone in the Libby's defense strategy. The real fireworks are slated for January 11th when the actual trial begins.
[link to www.washingtonpost.com]
Lieberman's idea of public integrity is the same as Hastert's: blame the staff. Russert didn't bother to prepare for that Lieberman interview unless he prepared what NOT to ask. How about Lieberman's DISCLOSED $387,000 petty cash disbursements, a grab at a massive, brand new campaign finance loophole. Russert let Lieberman absolutely slide.