Bush returning funds linked to Abramoff

From the Houston Chronicle:

All told, Abramoff raised at least $100,000 for Bush-Cheney '04, earning him the title of Bush "pioneer.'' The campaign will redirect $6,000 contributed directly from Abramoff and his wife, Pam, and an Indian tribe Abramoff represented, to the American Heart Association.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan sought to put some distance between the White House and the scandal, saying Bush and Abramoff were not acquainted.

"The president does not know him and does not recall meeting him. It is possible that he could have met him at a holiday reception or some other widely attended event,'' the spokesman said.

Several lawmakers, including DeLay and more than a dozen congressional staff members, are under scrutiny in connection with the Abramoff case, federal officials acknowledged.

Click here for the rest.

Well, I've gotta say that my buddy Tara from LSU called this one in Real Art comments earlier today:

Just read about Bush sending $3000 to charity that may be connected to Abramoff. Muahahahahahahahahaha.

My sentiments exactly. I think the fact that even Bush has to make some sort of distancing gesture toward Abramoff shows the massive scope of the scandal: this is freaking out the entire right wing in Washington. Furthermore, it's total bullshit that the President claims to not know him. "Pioneer" means elite fundraiser, which means access, real access. Bush knows Abramoff for sure, as well as he knows former Enron CEO Ken Lay, and probably even has one of those stupid little nicknames for him. McClellan is lying through his teeth about how the President "could have met him at a holiday reception." God, I'm loving this.

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