Follow The Moolah, Part 2
Dotty Lynch is the Senior Political Editor for CBS News. E-mail your questions and comments to Political Points
"What sets this tale apart, what makes it truly extraordinary, is the extent and degree of the apparent exploitation. And deceit. Even in this town where huge sums are routinely paid as the price of political access the figures are astonishing," Sen. John McCain told The New York Times Magazine about the activities of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his partners.
Even cynical Washingtonians are shocked at the stories coming out about how Tom DeLay's friend Abramoff moved and shaked his way around D.C. One Republican who admits he is no friend of DeLay's told me that what is bothering many Republicans is the actual amount of money – $66 million from six Indian tribes – that Abramoff and Michael Scanlon, DeLay's 34-year-old former press secretary took in. "Now these are talented guys," my Republican friend said. "But other talented guys leave the Hill and make one or two million the first year out. This kind of money says there is more than talent going on here. They are selling access and delivering on the deal." Or at least their clients think they are.
That feeling and the fact that Republican members were getting tired of having to talk nonstop about Tom DeLay and the ethics committee made Speaker Dennis Hastert pull the plug and put the old committee rules back in effect. Republicans have been warning that DeLay won't be the only loser in this. They keep citing Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi, who had a staffer who didn't file a $9,000 trip to South Korea that was funded by the same nonprofit group that paid for one of DeLay's trips. Pelosi conceded that there were "technical violations" on some staffers' reports.
Hillary Clinton has her own moment of slime coming up when David Rosen, the finance director of her 2000 Senate campaign goes on trial in Los Angeles for illegally underreporting the cost of a gala Hollywood fundraiser. An interesting twist in the investigation is that Ted Kennedy's brother-in-law Raymond Reggie was an FBI informant. The Clinton folks say the campaign received no financial gain from this, a point disputed by Clinton opponents.
Campaign finance watchdogs have yelled about big money and corruption for years but there's also a fair amount of slime on the little money side. Just browse through the web site of Response Unlimited, the conservative direct mail marketing company that bought the list of Terri Schiavo advocates from the Schindler family. Their home page reads: "Response Unlimited soon became the nation's best and most comprehensive source of mailing lists for conservative and Christian mailers and tele-marketers. Since then, it has expanded far beyond those markets into helping catalog, auto dealers, business to business mailers and companies in many areas. We believe God has given us the gift and ability to help your direct marketing program succeed!"
There are over 2,800 lists available to help them do God's work. Here a brief sampling:
List No. 83. Concerned Citizens for Battered Women and Children: "Each of these rural donors are married with at least three children at home and household incomes of $35,000 or more. Be sure to include this list not just for fundraising appeals, but for product promotions directed toward rural home-owners particularly family-oriented merchandise."
List No. 1296. G. Gordon Liddy's Tough Guy Data Base: This consists of 95% men who are current subscribers to G. Gordon Liddy's newsletter or buyers of his "Stacked and Packed" calendar." We are told that they are "virile and patriotic" and live active lives which include hunting and motorcycling.
List No. 13. African Short Wave Responders: "These are individuals in Zimbabwe, The Republic of South Africa, Nigeria, and other nations who have recently written for booklets and gospel teaching tapes from Waymarks Overseas Christian Radio – an English language Christian teaching ministry based in Florida."
Response Unlimited has acquired some progressive lists as well, proving that making a buck though shameless exploitation is not confined to conservatives.
List No. 2547. Bleeding Hearts for America Donors: "These last 18 months these $5 plus donors have a proven history of donating to at least one cause to better the future of America. Especially since 9-11 these Americans have pulled together and continue to donate to better our Country."
And finally, my personal favorite, List No. 141. High Dollar Rush Limbaugh UGGS Footwear Buyers: "Each of these Rush Limbaugh listeners have purchased one or more pairs of UGGS – the fantastic luxurious Australian made winter boots and sandals that Rush and his wife rave about." They tell us that the list has phone numbers available for telemarketing and that these folks are prone to buy other luxury products.
"If you are looking for affluent conservative pro-family Republicans this list is for you. All buyers, THESE PEOPLE HAVE MONEY!"
Ugh.