Dems Linked To Embattled Lobbyist

Republicans weren't the only ones to benefit from embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff's political activities, The Washington Post reports. Several Democrats – including some of the biggest names on Capitol Hill – also received campaign contributions from Indian tribes channeled through Abramoff's lobbying firm.

Abramoff is under federal investigation amid allegations he overcharged tribal clients by millions of dollars, and his ties to top Republicans, like House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, are under increasing scrutiny.

But Abramoff and his associates at the Greenberg Traurig law firm also directed donations to leading Democrats. Among them: former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.; his successor, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.; and former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.

"It wouldn't surprise me to see the Abramoff controversy impact both parties," Tony Raymond, co-founder of PoliticalMoneyLine.com, told the Post.

While Abramoff – a $100,000-plus fundraiser for President Bush – and his firm channeled most of their clients' money to Republicans, the Post says six of the 18 largest recipients of tribal contributions were Democrats.

"Lobbying shops typically direct contributions to both parties because they want contacts on both sides of the aisle," said David M. Hart, a professor of public policy at George Mason University.

According to a review of public records, Republican Sen. Conrad Burns of Montana, chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee that deals with Indian matters, was the biggest recipient of donations from the tribes as well as from Greenberg Traurig lobbyists who directed those donations. He received $141,590 from 1999 to 2004.

Democratic Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island was next, with $128,000 over the same five years. Kennedy was chair of the Democratic committee that solicited campaign donations for House candidates.

Reid and Daschle received more than $40,000 apiece, and Gephardt got $32,500.

Contacted by the Post, the Democrats quickly distanced themselves from Abramoff.

A Kennedy spokesman said the tribal donations "have nothing to do with Abramoff," but were due instead to his family's long-standing commitment to Indian causes.

James Patrick Manley, a Reid spokesman, said Reid does not know Abramoff, although he acknowledged that Abramoff did hire Edward P. Ayoob, a veteran Reid legislative aide, as one of his lobbyists.

"There's nothing sinister here," Manley said.