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Skriven 2006-01-19 21:08:45 av Stan Hardegree (1:123/789.0)
  Kommentar till text 17432 av BOB SAKOWSKI (1:123/140)
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Fellas, get used to this as half wits like the Airman rage:

Minority Leader Reid Apologizes to GOP

Thursday January 19, 2006 11:02 PM


AP Photo DCSA107

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday apologized
to 33 Republican senators singled out for ethics criticism in a report from
his office titled ``Republican Abuse of Power.''

``The document released by my office yesterday went too far and I want to
convey to you my personal regrets,'' Reid said in a letter.

``I am writing to apologize for the tone of this document and the decision
to single out individual senators for criticism in it.''

Reid came under attack Wednesday over the report, which was issued by his
staff on Senate letterhead, even as he and fellow Democrats released ethics
overhaul proposals.

``Researching, compiling and distributing what amounts to nothing more than
a campaign ad on the taxpayers dime raises serious ethical questions,'' said
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, one of the lawmakers named.

The 27-page report criticized Republican lawmakers over their ties to
disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, questionable campaign contributions and
other issues.

Meanwhile, the head of the Republican Party said GOP lawmakers who are
guilty of wrongdoing should expect to be punished whatever their political
affiliation.

``The public trust is more important than party,'' said Ken Mehlman, the
Republican National Committee chairman. ``Which is why the first solution to
the problem is rooting out those who have done wrong, without regard to
party or ideology.''

Mehlman's comments were in a speech that he planned to deliver Friday to the
annual winter meeting of the Republican National Committee. The Associated
Press obtained a copy of the speech.

The Abramoff investigation threatens to ensnare at least a half dozen
members of Congress of both parties and Bush administration officials.
Abramoff, who has admitted to conspiring to defraud his Indian tribe
clients, has pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges and is cooperating
with prosecutors.

With the midterm elections 10 months away, Democrats have tried to link
Abramoff to Republicans, the main recipients of his largesse.

Two senior Republicans have already taken a fall because of their ties to
Abramoff.

Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, announced after Abramoff's guilty
plea that he would not try to regain the post he relinquished after being
indicted on separate campaign finance charges in Texas. Rep. Bob Ney,
R-Ohio, temporarily stepped down as chairman of the House Administration
Committee.

Mehlman said the GOP must earn the public's trust by recommitting itself to
reform.

Responding to the influence-peddling scandal, Republicans and Democrats have
introduced similar ethics reform packages.

Mehlman said the response to the scandal should not be ``partisan
hypocrisy.'' He criticized Reid for calling the Abramoff affair a Republican
scandal. Reid has come under fire for his own ties to Abramoff, including
accepting money from Abramoff's tribal clients.

Four Senate Democrats sent a letter to senior administration officials on
Thursday calling on them to disclose any dealings with Abramoff such as
meetings, memos or favors.

The Democrats said the record should be ``cleared and that any contact you
or others in the administration have had with Mr. Abramoff be fully
explained to the American people.''

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