February 27, 2006
After Jack
Such a story may have meant nothing B.J. (Before Jack), but in a post-Abramoff era we were struck by this item in yesterday's Birmingham News about how AL Gov. Bob Riley (R) is spending part of his time at this week's NGA confab in DC.
Yup, the former 3-term House member is being feted by his old House pals Hastert, Boehner and Blunt. Also check out who from K St. is putting the event on.
Now perhaps even post-Jack, a Rep-turned-Gov up for re-election having a member and lobbyist-laden funder at a DC trade assoc may not merit a mention, but Riley has some, well, Abramoff issues.
Abramoff partner-in-crime Michael Scanlon was Riley's congressional press secretary in the 90s. Later, Scanlon's outfit, Capitol Campaign Strategies, gave $500K to the RGA in October of '02, which in turn transferred nearly $2.5M to a soft-money arm of the RNC designed to aid state elections. That same month Riley received $600K from the cmte and the AL GOP took another $600K.
It was during this same time period, of course, that Scanlon and Abramoff were raking in cash from tribes.
Riley, who does not accept gambling money, maintains that he did not know the source of the RGA money. But the fact remains that the '02 AL GOV race between Riley and then-Gov. Don Siegelman (D) was fought in large measure over whether AL would join its neighbors in GA and TN in instituting a state lottery. Siegelman was for it, Riley against. And joining Riley in opposing an AL lottery were the MS-based Choctaws and their man in Washington, DC -- Mike Scanlon. The tribe feared a loss of business in their two casinos just outside of Philadelphia, MS -- about 30 miles from the AL state line.
Guilt by association? Perhaps. But Riley and the AL GOP -- whose chair just recently resigned from the MS-based lobbying firm that now represents the Choctaws -- must not be sweating Roy Moore (R), LG Lucy Baxley (D), or Siegleman if they are having this kinda event.
Or perhaps they are -- tickets go for $1K a pop. Per individual or PAC, that is. [JONATHAN MARTIN]
Posted at 05:04 PM
Comments
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-bh | 03.27.08 03:07 AM
 |
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-bh | 03.27.08 03:07 AM
|
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-bh | 03.27.08 03:07 AM
|
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