"Montana's Sens. Conrad Burns and Max Baucus and Rep. Denny Rehberg have made a big show in recent days of returning or giving away campaign contributions linked to pariah-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, formally one of Washington, D.C.'s top stringpullers now under investigation for influence peddling, bilking clients and other bad deeds. Members of Montana's congressional delegation have joined politicians elsewhere in attempting to distance themselves from Abramoff.

This is silly and entirely for show.

The money that Abramoff and associates funneled to Burns, Baucus and Rehberg, et al, already bought the access, consideration, help, favors and votes it was meant to buy. Giving away money won't undo whatever these politicians did to earn support from Abramoff and his clients.

For that matter, the money itself has been spent. �Returning� money to Abramoff's clients or �donating� it to third parties qualifies now as a new campaign expense - more or less like buying an ad that proclaims, �We're not in this guy's pocket - honest.� Where's this money going to come from? That's right - from other lobbyists or big-money donors who will have their own demands, expectations and strings to pull."

Get the Story:
Too late guys; you've already been bought (The Missoulian 12/22)

Relevant Links:
Montana Republican Party - http://www.mtgop.org
Montana Democratic Party - http://www.montanademocrats.org

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