On this Date in Bush History 12/21: Jack’s Enablers

“There is neither honour nor gain, got in dealing with a vil-lain.” Ben Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac, 1733

2005: The Washington Post reports today that disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff is close to reaching a plea deal. In early 2006 Abramoff did indeed plead guilty to fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe government officials. The Abramoff scandal reached into the Bush White House when former aide David Safavian was found guilty of lying and obstructing justice concerning his dealings with Abramoff. Other events hint at broader White House Abramoff links.

The LA Times reported that in the U.S. territory of Guam a grand jury had opened an investigation of Mr. Abramoff, issuing a subpoena in 2002. Just one day later the investigation’s chief prosecutor found himself demoted by President Bush. He had held that job for over ten years but was replaced by Leonardo Rapadas, a man Guam Republicans had reportedly recommended to Karl Rove. The Abramoff probe ended a short time later.

Other documents found in Abramoff’s files indicated that Abramoff requested and received $9 million dollars from President Omar Bongo of the African country of Gabon to arrange for a meeting with President Bush. In May 2004 President Bush did, in fact, meet Gabon’s president. A White House spokesperson said that the meeting was “routine” and went “through normal staffing channels”.

“We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease.” President Bush, June 18th 2001, seemingly unaware that Africa is a continent, not a nation.

2006: Condoleezza Rice coldly states today that the lives and money lost in Iraq were “worth the investment”.