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Column: Ralph Reed worshipped casino god
Friday, July 1, 2005
"Ralph Reed, the former Golden Boy of the Christian Coalition, and George Bush’s longtime political adviser, is under investigation in Washington and taking fire at home
Ralph Reed had it all going for him in the 1990s: Boyish good looks, soft-spoken demeanor, and an image as a squeaky-clean spokesperson for the religious right.
As Executive Director of Pat Robertson’s powerful Christian Coalition (website), Reed offered an articulate and often calming television persona . More often than not he had the mainstream media eating out of his hands -- even while defending one of his boss Pat Robertson's frequent loopy commentaries. Reed was smart, media savvy and a remarkable political strategist. Time magazine called him "the right hand of God" in a 1995 cover story.
These days Time readers might be wondering which God Reed was really worshipping. He is locked in the grip of a scandal focused on his longtime friend, lobbying titan Jack Abramoff, involving taking money from one Indian tribe to kill the gambling operations of another tribe. At the same time Reed is now being urged by a former Georgia Republican state representative and House minority leader to withdraw from the race for lieutenant governor."
Get the Story:
Bill Berkowitz: How the Mighty Have Fallen
(MediaTransparency.Org 7/1)
Committee Exhibits:
Part 1 |
Part 2
Witness List/Testimony:
Oversight
Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on the In Re Tribal
Lobbying Matters, Et Al (June 22, 2005)
Relevant Links:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians -
http://www.choctaw.org
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(6/29)
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Hayworth downplays links to Abramoff scandal
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SagChip leader feels vindicated
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Republican
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Senate committee plans to issue
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Under scrutiny,
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Choctaws hire lobbyist accused in Abramoff fraud
(6/24)
Editorial: Reed lied about taking
money from Choctaws (6/24)
Opinion: Reed
didn't lie, he just followed the law (6/24)
Ralph Reed pressed by rival to document tribal ties
(6/24)
Column: Jack Abramoff's Choctaw
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Column: No limits to
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Editorial: Washington in worst lobbying scandal
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Reed's story on
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Miss Choctaws say gaming
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Ralph Reed changes story on $1.15M tribal
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GOP group funneled
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Indian Affairs Committee activity this week
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Choctaw chief Martin defends
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McCain
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