The Ghost of Jack Abramoff

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Jack Abramoff; graphic from the Village VoiceWhile Jack Abramoff serves a six-year prison sentence stemming from his role in one of the most elaborate corruption standals in American politics, one of his most prominent former lobbyist associates, Ralph Reed, is raising funds for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Previously, notes Alexander Lane, Reed "was credited as a key operative in George W. Bush's sharp-elbowed effort against McCain in the South Carolina Republican presidential primary in 2000. McCain, in turn, chaired the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in 2006 when it investigated and unveiled Reed's deep personal and business ties to Abramoff, a lobbyist who pleaded guilty to three felonies." Apparently all is forgiven. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently published an email by Reed, inviting recipients to a McCain fundraiser and praising his commitment to "economic growth and opportunity, the dignity of life and traditional values."