Editore"s Note
Tilting at Windmills

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August 27, 2010

REPUBLICANS LET RALPH REED OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX.... I realize it's been a couple of years -- and some Republicans have surprisingly short memories -- but the Abramoff lobbying scandal left Ralph Reed a humiliated disgrace. It wasn't just some embarrassing misunderstanding; the scandal ruined him. Permanently.

At least, it seemed that way at the time. In a couple of weeks, Reed will host a right-wing gathering called the "Faith and Freedom Conference and Strategy Briefing" in Washington. The former Christian Coalition chief is calling it the "the political equivalent of NFL minicamp."

Yesterday, Reed alerted supporters to the guest list he lined up to speak at the event. It included a lengthy list of heavy-hitters from the media (Tucker Carlson, Erick Erickson, John Fund), GOP strategists (Grover Norquist, Ed Goeas, Patrick Ruffini), Republican members of Congress (J. Randy Forbes, Thaddeus McCotter, Lynn Westmoreland, Tom Price), GOP congressional candidates (Teresa Collett, Anna Little, Star Parker, Tim Scott, Jackie Walorski), two former senators (Jim Talent, Rick Santorum), a sitting governor (Bob McDonnell), a vote-suppressing loyal Bushie (Hans von Spakovsky), and, of course, Karl Rove.

Now, I should note that this is an announced guest-list. Reed may or may not have secured commitments from all of these Republican luminaries, though the materials certainly make it seem as if these are confirmed guests.

And if so, that's crazy. Indeed, let's take a quick stroll down memory lane. Remember this one, from June 2006?

Yet another delightful characterization of Ralph Reed, courtesy of today's McCain report on the Abramoff scandal. This one comes courtesy of Jack Abramoff himself, via his discussion with Marc Schwartz, a public relations representative for the Tigua tribe in Texas.

Let's pick up the report on page 148. Schwartz was evaluating whether the tribe should hire Abramoff as its lobbyist: To Schwartz, Abramoff appeared to have the right credentials. Abramoff claimed to be a close friend of Congressman Tom DeLay. He also discussed his friendship with Reed, recounting some of their history together at College Republicans. When Schwartz observed that Reed was an ideologue, Schwartz recalled that Abramoff laughingly replied "as far as the cash goes."

Or, how about this one?

Ralph Reed, email to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, 1998: "Hey, now that I'm done with the electoral politics, I need to start humping in corporate accounts! I'm counting on you to help me with some contacts."

Or this?

E-mails and testimony before McCain's panel showed that Reed, who once branded gambling a "cancer" on society, reaped millions of dollars in tribal casino proceeds that Abramoff secretly routed to him through various non-profit front groups. Abramoff, a lobbyist for the tribes, paid Reed to whip up "grassroots" Christian opposition to prevent rival tribes from opening casinos.

By any reasonable measure, Republicans should avoid taking this guy's phone calls. Instead, Karl Rove, a Republican governor, five Republican congressmen, and five Republican congressional candidates have apparently agreed to speak at Reed's right-wing shindig.

It's a reminder that there is literally nothing a conservative can do to be permanently excluded from polite company.

Steve Benen 1:25 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (12)

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Comments

Since when do Karl Rove, Grover Norquist and Erick Erickson constitute polite company?

Posted by: Lifelong Dem on August 27, 2010 at 1:31 PM | PERMALINK

The real question is whether Dems are going to let him (or anyone associating with him) out of the penalty box.

The repubs would welcome him back with open arms is to be expected. Will Dems make them pay for it?

Posted by: bdop4 on August 27, 2010 at 1:39 PM | PERMALINK

It's a reminder that there is literally nothing a conservative can do to be permanently excluded from polite company.

While acknowledging the truth of Lifelong Dem's comment above, it should be noted that a conservative can be excluded from conservative company these days for showing any willingness to cooperate with the reality-based community. So far those exclusions look permanent.

BTW, why do we let these right-wing radical lunatics hijack the once-honorable word conservative? I mean, it's never been a sound political philosophy, but it once meant something other than just stepping on every attempt to help the country.

Posted by: Cap'n Chucky on August 27, 2010 at 1:46 PM | PERMALINK

"the political equivalent of NFL minicamp."

Complete with groupies and cocaine?

Posted by: SaintZak on August 27, 2010 at 2:03 PM | PERMALINK

Please keep banging the drum on this one, Steve. We need to make this an embarrassment for everyone taking part.

It's a weak spot. When your sworn enemies have weak spots, that's where to hit.

Posted by: AlphaLiberal on August 27, 2010 at 2:08 PM | PERMALINK

It's amazing really. Based on the speeches alone they could all be arrested for conspiracy to commit fraud and sedition.

It is quite clear that what is left of the Republican leadership is a criminal enterprise.
Silly me, I thought they would clean house after the Bohner, Abramoff, DeLay scandal.

Posted by: thebewilderness on August 27, 2010 at 2:38 PM | PERMALINK

...When your sworn enemies have weak spots, that's where to hit...

Before deficits didn't matter or after they began to matter again ?
Before John Kerry served honorably in the Navy or after when a couple of rich guys decided his service as a combatant , in uniform , in Vietnam was a cowardly disgrace , or the AWOL and 5 deferment crowd got to say what was honorable or a WMD ?
Before out of whole cloth anecdotes meant more than policy , or after ?
Before creating an easy narrative was the preferred way turning on the lights , or after , when as long as a sociopath endorsed an explanation it didn't matter anymore that we had the third hottest summer in ten years again because it snowed last winter ?
Before plainly mentally challenged extroverts began to dominate the national airwaves with their pathologies , or after ?
Before counting the votes was how elections were decided , or after Alvin Greene ?
But ... I ramble ...

Posted by: FRP on August 27, 2010 at 2:49 PM | PERMALINK

Reed is such a slimy so and so. I wish he'd stay in his hole.

Posted by: CDW on August 27, 2010 at 4:03 PM | PERMALINK

I remain of the opinion that because the country was Big Lied into unleashing war on Iraqi-- because the agents of treason proved successful in their infamous plotting-- traditional political inhibitions have been extinguished.

Those people are depraved, and are capable of anything.

Posted by: JW on August 27, 2010 at 4:14 PM | PERMALINK

My guess is that even McCain (of the "McCain Committee") loves Reed now.

Posted by: zandru on August 27, 2010 at 4:44 PM | PERMALINK

Let me put Reed in context:
1. Ken Mehlman admitted that, despite being gay himself, he and the Republican Party actively promoted hatred against gays and fought for as many referendums against gay marriage equality in as many states as possible so as to encourage people to vote for them;
2. Ed Gillespie confessed to the GOP's loathsome Southern Strategy (perfected by Lee Atwater) of race-baiting to encourage racists to vote for them (which, apparently, is still on-going even though he promised it would end);
3. Ralph Reed promoted religious organizations and their leaders as a way to reach more voters and deliver them to the GOP despite breaking almost every promise made for their support.

See a pattern? Cynical much?

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