Think Progress has a detailed rundown of Abramoff’s web of influence. This includes three Democratic senators.
Democrats who pretend Abramoff money is untainted because it didn’t come directly from Abramoff are naive – if not deliberately evasive.
Abramoff money funneled through one of his dummy corporations or given directly by a client because Abramoff told them to, is just as tainted as money he gave directly. Unless you believe he gave the money to Democrats with no expectation of influencing votes. In which case you probably believe in the tooth fairy too. Or are so partisan you can’t admit those on your side might be corrupt too.
Think Progess mentions these three Democratic senators:
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Contributions — Dorgan received nearly $95,000 from Abramoff’s clients
Saginaw Funding — Burns and Dorgan wrote letter on behalf of Abramoff clientsSen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
Contributions — Reid Received $66,000 From Abramoff’s Clients
Coushatta Campaign — Ensign and Reid lobbied on behalf of Abramoff clientSen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Contributions — Harkin received $21,000 from Abramoff’s partners and clients
Gifts — Harkin used Abramoff skybox
Was there more sleaze on the Republican side? Absolutely. But Democrats pretending they are completely untainted is just the same slimy evasion they accuse Republicans of doing. Nor will it help clean up the corruption.