Lou Dubose reports in 'The Pimping of the Presidency' (Texas Observer, Jan. 6, 2006) that, "According to a source close to the [Coushatta] tribal majority, [tribal council] Chairman Poncho recently "revisited that issue" of his visit to the White House. He had previously denied it because he thought he was responding to press inquiries that implied he had a one-on-one meeting with Bush. He now recalls that he in fact did go to the White House on May 9, 2001. Tribal attorney Kathryn Fowler Van Hoof went with him, although she did not get into the meeting with the President. That meeting lasted for about 15 minutes and was not a one-on-one meeting. At the meeting, Bush made some general comments about Indian policy but did not discuss Indian gaming. Abramoff was at the meeting - for which he charged the Coushatta Tribe $25,000." (http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle_new.asp?ArticleID=13)

If true, this directly contradicts McClellan's statements that Bush does not know Abramoff 'personally'. Unless 'personally' means that Abramoff had to come down to the ranch and chop wood. But who knows; that may have happened too.

It's FINALLY happening, people are starting to see the light.I have to say when my fellow Americans were thinking that Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden are the same person I was REALLY SCARED, because this Administration is Satan in a nun's habit. They know how to appeal to people that are vulnerable and would easily believe every word they say.

All the great leaders had one thing in common - Vision. The good leaders had one thing in common - Unity. The lousy leaders didn't care about governing but tried to keep power at any cost. GW is a lousy leader!!

After reading all of the messages, and agreeing with all who profess that Bush/Cheney are criminals (especially war criminals), I have to say that the one message that really caught my attention was Michele Horwitz's about the background of the prosecutor. This makes for a seriously discouraging situation, and we should all get involved to make sure that justice is done - thoroughly. I for one will write my congressmen and demand justice. Oh hell, I hear one of 'em is having to give back some Abramoff money, too! How frustrating!

That the current administration is corrupt should come as no surprise. American government has suffered through scandals throughout its history and it will survive those of the current administration as well. Such is the power and strength of our constitution. But the old adage about absolute power corrupting absolutely is in full play here.

President Bush, in his post-9/11 fury, has mistakenly claimed some type of mandate from less than half of the voting populace to use his power without concern for the checks and balances of government. So, in adjunct to the usual "run of the mill" abuses such as bribery and vote peddling (which have always existed), the President has embarked on a campaign to remake the world according to his vision, apparently without regard for the laws of the United States or international relations. In an increasingly diverse society and a world that is "shrinking," his "white-conservative Christianism" has polarized us into a divisive and discordant society. Despite that he professed to be a uniter of peoples in his first campaign, he has proven to be just the opposite by way of his extremist views. His "my way or the highway" philosophy just doesn't work because it serves too narrow a sector of the population.

I salute his strength of belief. I also appreciate the difficulty of dealing with adversaries who have collectively redefined the nature of warfare in the twenty-first century. But the existence of war does not enable the President to trample the laws of the land under his feet.

It is sad that no sanction or censure can come of the current political landscape in Washington, for this President, as much as any other in recent history, certainly deserves it.

We need a new Revolution, because the old one is broken. No Kings, no tax victimization, and no federal extortion. There is simply no fixing this system, people. It's time for an upgrade to AMERICA 2.0! Thank You, and God bless you new citizens.

I just want to know if the Bush Administration will ever admit to ANYTHING that will, even in the slightest, possibly shine a negative light on them? I have never seen so many politicians as "innocent" as these.

What to believe, what to believe:
George Bush is the -
most lying honest president or the most honest lying president?
most unintelligent genius or the smartest unitelligent president?
greatest buck stops here or biggest here's the stop for the bucks president?
greatest ethical presidency or presiding over the largest ethical morass?
best guardian of our democracy or the slickest usurper of our rights?
Will he preside over the slowest investigation of a leak that embarasses him or the quickest investigation of an embarassing leak?
it stretches the "just trust me" theory he always falls back on - seems like he spent too much of his life failing at his job while those around him patted his back and sent him more money. (read Shrub by Molly Ivans) seems that it was better to keep him propped up and ego inflated as that greased access to his daddy as head of CIA, VP and Pres. Trouble is GW begin to believe that he actually was great! Hence the "Emperor's New Clothes" syndrome.

You burried the lead. What a shame. Your story on Bush and Abramoff is another example of the utter spinelessness of the American press. Kelly O'Donnell put the headline in her final paragraph: "As a fundraising "pioneer" for the Bush/Cheney campaign, Abramoff helped raise $100,000." It makes no difference that Fox does it out of ideology and you do it out of intimidation or profit motive. The end result is the same.

It was painfully obvious a long time ago when GWB stated that he did not take advice from his father but rather from "The Father" that he will say and do anything to pander to his redical base. He has no knowledge of Abramhoff, perhaps he should ask the father if Abramoff is indeed a crook. If this country continues to be led by men of no character, no ideals, no morals (sorry folks just because you claim to be a god fearing man that has nothing to do with morals) and no goals other than lining their own pockets what possible outcome can be other than the impoverishment of all but the elite? Throw the bums out! If Bill Clinton was tied to this mess, he would have been publicy hanged. But, GWB continues to spout the sound bites put in his mouth by the evil genious Rove and the people continue to listen and, worse yet, beleive. Lets see, start a war over oil and call it spreding democracy, remove civil liberties and call it a partiot act, try to dismantle social security and call it preserving the future benefit, give tax credits to most wealthy and call it econmic incentive, require hurricane victim state and local governments to pay for aid and call it emergency help. What else can these masters of spin come up with? Oh, right, GWB had no knowledge of Abramoff. I don't think so but sorry, I must have been in an illegal drug induced marijuana stupor brought on by my support of gay rights and freedom of choice or I would still beleive. Let us all remember the Repbulican idea of diversity: You can be any type of rich white protestant you desire. The rest of us? Who? GWB has never heard of us or Abramoff.

The only thing to say about Bush is he is Captain of the Titanic which has already hit the iceberg, but he has already jumped ship. Question is are you going to listening to the band as the ship goes down or jump ship. Our former President had one lie, and he was impeached. This President has had so many I have run out of fingers and toes. Yes we are a forgiving country, but you can only lie and apologize for the same thing so many times, and expect forgiveness.

I can't help but laugh when I read the defenses of 'W'. In the 80's these very same people were lambasting Former Speaker of the House Jim Wright for his book advance money. For years they have talked about the Clinton and his 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman' comment (incidentally, not a lie, as far as we know, as earlier in the same testimony the lawyers defined 'sexual relations' as intercourse and not oral sex). Now all of these scandals come along ('Plamegate', missing Iraqi Billions, Iraq War, Katrina, Abramoff) and suddenly these people have lost their moral compass. If it was wrong Democrats....IT'S WRONG for Republicans, too. Make your government accountable (democrats or republicans)!!!

The white house is a shambles but so is Congrss.When our representatives in both houses make the rules they live by how can we expect anything better than we are getting.They create all the rules they live by which are nowhere near as tough as the ones they force us to live by. Money corrupts and it is such a shame to see how bad it can get.

"Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton

This Administration and Congress is the most perfect example of unchecked power and corruption in the U.S. government in recent memory, including Watergate. Who knows what to believe from the government --- or the press?

The four classic virtues (prudence, justice, courage, and temperance) seem to be as rare as clean air.

I ran a small company for a number of years. I found that some of my employees were stealing, but it took a couple of years. Was this my fault?

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty, or is that only reserved for demoncrats, and our wonderful "free" press....

People...People, please remember Mr. Abramoff is an equal oppurtunity felon. Perhaps Senator Reid would like to explain the $50,000 plus he has received from Mr. Abramoff or his clients. The truth of the matter is there are lots and lots of dollars out there being offered as campaign contributions but may come with strings. Some is taken innocently, some is taken knowingly but either way it crosses political lines.

As for President Bush, he has always seemed a honorable man to me and I take him at his word.

After reading all of the posted messages, so what. This shouldn't be news to all those who elected this administration. Stop your whining and start writing your checks to the U.S. Treasury, the Natural Gas Companies, Exxon, and all who have you by the throat and wallet. Happy New Year and, by the way...stupid gets as stupid does...

READ MY LIPS - NO DEMOCRATS ACCEPTED MONEY FROM ABRAMOFF.

Next excuse ? The left-wing media - oh yeah, it's all a grand conspiracy against the ever-innocent GOP.

"Well, they did it too !!!" is a valid excuse for the criminal GOP ? How exactly does that hold up in court ?

Grow up and accept responsibility, GOP and it's supporters. GWB actually accepted responsibility, once, when it would help his approval ratings.

Why is it that the only response a Bush supporter can seem to give is to throw back an accusation. I see no Bush supporter on this list that actually ADDRESSES the issue.
Rick from Houston: "Now I know where all the Bush haters hang out."
What about the question?!

Jon from KC: "The Left wing media..."?
What about the question?!

Democrat or Republican: you have to THINK and start looking for answers to the numerous questions this administration raises.

Maybe the media can make a deal on behalf of the american people! Lower gas and oil prices in exchange for making this story disappear? PLEASE!

Bush/Cheney and their whole "Moral Majority" group of liars, cheats and crooks should be run out of town. They shame America with their double standards. They don't care about the American people other than what they can get out of them and put in their pockets. The fools who buy into their new lies, delivered in maybe a humble tone this time or maybe an assertive stance the next time are just the prey they need to keep their scams going. Washington D.C. (Dishonest. Corrupt.) By the way - why can't that $6,000 be put towards the Katrina aid - oh, that's right, that's been out of the radar now and forgotten.

I thought this kind of corruption was under fire only in my country, and the "perfect" and "clean" politicians and their aides were only in the U.S., AND AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD.
But it now seems that it happens to you too, for which I'm very sorry to learn that this kind of people are doing very well their tasks. Sorry for AMERICA.

Great job, Kelly! This story really should not come as a surprise to any of us...

The front and back doors to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have been open real wide for quite some time.

It's only now, The "Players" have figured out their wire transfers have finally crossed...

This process really needs much needed reform!!! Ifluence peddlings is nothing new.. Our elected officials got to Washington to do the public good. However, often pad their pockets in the process.. Hire your Wife, Mother, Brother.. Create a foundation, political action committee

This administration is so corrupt it makes me ill. The problem? Impeach Bush and you get Cheney. Impeach Cheney and who do you get? Oh how I wish we could impeach the entire administration and get rid of the lying, cheating mess of them.