Papers Show Bush Allies' Inside Access

[RangerSmith]

Papers Show Bush Allies' Inside Access

By JOHN SOLOMON and SHARON THEIMER
The Associated Press
Wednesday, September 20, 2006; 11:20 PM

WASHINGTON -- Republican activists Grover Norquist and Ralph Reed landed more than 100 meetings inside the Bush White House, according to documents released Wednesday that provide the first official accounting of the access and influence the two presidential allies have enjoyed.

The White House released the Secret Service visit records to settle a lawsuit by the Democratic Party and an ethics watchdog group seeking visitors logs for the two GOP strategists and others who emerged as figures in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

Earlier this month, the White House suggested to the judge in that lawsuit that such records need not be disclosed because the information was privileged and might reveal how Bush and his staff get private advice, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The congressional and criminal investigations of Abramoff produced evidence suggesting the lobbyists won access to the Bush White House through conservative activists such as Norquist and Reed. The long-sought visitor logs answer the question of how often those two men got inside the White House during the time they were simultaneously supporting the president and assisting Abramoff.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001292_pf.html

[bronxiteforever]

1. But can't meet with Cindy Sheehan!

I am so disgusted with this administration. They have turned our institutions into their own private urinals.

[acmavm]

2. The fools need to learn that they don't have a right to

'private advice' when it comes to how this country is run. They have totally forgotten (that is if they ever understood) that WE are the government of this country. They are just the hired help. And as such when they are asked what is going on, who are they taking advice from, who's pockets are they lining then they need to cough up the information.