Palin Lobbyist Worked For Jack Abramoff

Talking Points Memo:

It looks like Sarah Palin's claim to represent a cleaner brand of politics could be about to take a bruising.

The Washington Post reports today that, while Mayor of Wasilla, Palin oversaw the hiring of a lobbyist, Steven Silver -- a former chief of staff to now-indicted GOP senator Ted Stevens -- to help win federal earmarks for the city.

But Silver appears to have additional ties that could further undercut Palin's image as a squeaky-clean reformer. According to Senate lobbying disclosure reports examined by TPMmuckraker, from 2002 to 2004 Silver listed as a client Jack Abramoff's lobbying firm, Greenberg Traurig. On Greenberg's behalf, Silver lobbied the federal government on "issues relating to Indian/Native American policy," "exploration for oil and gas" and "legislation relating to gaming issues" -- the very issues that Abramoff headed up for Greenberg at the time. In other words, Silver appears to have been a part of "Team Abramoff."

Read the whole story: Talking Points Memo

Comments

[Tobiasism]

Just keeps getting better and better.

[dnels14]

"Pop Goes the Weasel"

[thegreatgiginthesky]

John McCain is going to look like an even greater fool if he changes his pick at this point. He will open himself to ridicule and questions about his lack of judgement and lack of perspective.

[Deparis]

You gotta love the coming few weeks.

[mnash]

It gets better and better!!!!!

[TotallyAmazed]

I was listening to O'Reily (well, heck, I only get 2 talk shows in my market - it's either O'Reily or Limbaugh - need I say more ??? . . .) and, he was saying that one more questionable situation regarding Palin, and it could signal the end for her. It was his opinion that John McCain couldn't possibly survive another surprise from the Sarah Palin camp, without having to cut her loose..

I'm not an O'Reily fan, but today he was right on, with most of his reactions regarding the McCain/Palin ticket.

[speeddeeps]

where do you live? Unlucky you :)

[RuralLib]

You have only these two from which to choose? How many potential voters in this country have the same limited access to varied opinions? Thank goodness you have the independent sort of brain that can listen and take them with a grain of salt. My fear is that many just believe whatever they say, or are unconsciously steered by their remarks.

[Viper]

O' Reily also said if we went into Iraq and there were no WMDs, he would never support BUSH again.

Regards

[OBAMAthePRESIDENT]

This Ghetto Fabulous Red Neck reunion is the best!

Lord, John McCain has to be the biggest tool in the shed. Why did he not follow Obama's guide book. Obama hired a TEAM to vet the VP. Obama made a decision on facts and knowledge, not on politics.

How do they pick someone for VP without doing a freaking background check?
They didn't even have to pay for it, they just had to GOOGLE it or ash her other God-fearing neighbors..

It's as if the heard Obama's speech and came to the conclusion that they needed a woman and chose her because she was furthest from Washington.

Tucker Bounds needs to be fired!

[haveyougonemad]

The McCain campaign even lied stating she'd received an FBI background check. Not according to the FBI...A background check by them would have been against their procedural policy according to them....hmmmmm. Whose telling the truth here???

[white mende man]

Let's ask Gonzo he might know... Oh crap! he says he doesn't recall.

[JiminNC]

Don't allow the focus on Palin to take the heat off McIceAge. That is the play by Rove.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

The only problem Jim is that the more and more stuff they uncover about her the more and more people start to question John McCain's judgement.

[leftoflennon]

Precisely

[unhipcat]

... or lack thereof.

[RobtBrock]

Jay Leno may have to put off his retirement: Palin is giving him so much material that he could rattle off one joke after another beyond the first year of the Obama presidency. Bada Bing!

[BetterDays]

Sarah Palin - the gift that keeps on giving!

[Lizaveta]

The rest was milk. This is the meat.

[leftoflennon]

She is PERFECT.

Please don't let her go!

[reliant1]

please let her stay and play with us for just a little longer...

more popcorn will be needed ;)

[Whatashame]

Oh what a tangle web we weave when first we pratice to deceive.

[TheRebel82]

Iceberg right ahead! hahahahahaha

What an epic FAIL by Johnny Mac!

[white mende man]

Even a head of Iceberb lettuce will sink the SS John McCain

[vslay]

This is going to be a lot of fun until election day.

[Yesbama]

I think Karl Rove is behind a lot more than we think. I'm not usually into conspiracies but here's a thought:

The republican party knew their chances were slim in this election and it’s no secret they don’t care for John McCain. So they (meaning Karl Rove and his cronies) threatened McCain into picking Palin (everyone knows he wanted Lieberman) knowing it would destroy his chanced once and for all. They will let Obama win and use the next 4 years to build the Republican party and defeat Obama in 2012, hoping the Obama presidency will be a disaster

[SpoxLogic]

I was thinking along the same lines way, way back during the primary season. They knew that the GOP would likely get creamed in November, so any GOP nominee would have just be cannon fodder. And McCain fit the bill. (There's no way after fighting McCain all this time, that all of a sudden they thought he would be their savior!)
That's why more capable VP candidates weren't picked - like Romney, Pawlenty, etc. These guys are being prepped for 2012, and they didn't want 2008 staining them in anyway.

Palin and her personality just fell right in with their plans.

[speechteach]

I'm not so sure. I think they are truly trying to win and are willing to try anything they can to do so. They've always wanted to rest their hopes on the evangelical base. We can't underestimate the Rove tactics, however. If the MSM don't want to run information about Palin regarding her decisions in Alaska, the publications at the supermarket checkouts probably will. You can bet her affiliations won't get the constant looping that Obama had to endure earlier.

[Invox]

Hey, Rove is the hero here! McCain got scared when he started falling behind, brought Rove in and it's downhill from there. When McC started the attack ads, he didn't anticipate that Obama would strike back. Why would he? Democrats haven't fought back in the last 2 elections and there's not much fightin' power in Obama's DNA. He likes to be a classy guy. But enter street-fighter Joe Biden who becomes the wind beneath Obama's wings and the fight in on! Couple that with Obama uniting the Obama Democrats with the Clinton Democrats.­..excellen­t sign of good leadership...and McCain started hating Rove. Rove wanted Romney; McCain wanted Lieberman. Never the twain shall meet. McCain loses his temper and becomes the maverick. McCain picks up Palin in a hurry...sign of bad leadership...and we've got a soap opera! Long live Karl Rove!

[white mende man]

After this McBlunder 8 years is a minimum. Hopefully the Democratic Party will learn the lessons of how: power corrupts and how absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Then we'll surely see another 4 or 8 more.