Political Skullduggery

Parents throughout the country should hold Jack Abramoff up as a role model.

More than sports champions, rock stars, and assorted other public figures, Abramoff represents the real values that typify America these days. He is all about the money. Power also holds it's fascination for this type, but it is power for the sake of the money.

Lobbyists are the new American heroes. The short-lived era of federal air marshals as the embodiment of all that is right about this country appears to be waning.

Today's Washington Post features a long piece narrating the inspirational story of Jack Abramoff. From College Republican leader to well-heeled lobbyist to tragic downfall, it is all here.

There are wonderful anecdotes in the piece:

Even in those early days, there were hints of the troubles to come. "If anyone is not surprised at the rise and fall of Jack Abramoff, it is me," said Rich Bond, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Abramoff and his crew busted the College Republicans' budget with a 1982 national direct-mail fundraising campaign that ended up "a colossal flop," said Bond, then deputy director of the party's national committee. He said he banished the three from GOP headquarters, telling Abramoff: "You can't be trusted."

Abramoff started right where many self made men do, at the top:

Abramoff also counted on his father, who had a wealth of connections from his days as president of the Diners Club credit card company. Frank Abramoff had once looked into operating a casino in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. territory that includes Saipan. He introduced his son around, and the Marianas became one of the first important clients of the new lobbyist.

Soon the younger Abramoff developed a key alliance with Rep. Tom DeLay, a conservative Republican from Texas who was working his way up in the House leadership.

As shown above, Abramoff always associated himself with the highest caliber people:

Another Abramoff financial vehicle was the nonprofit American International Center, a Rehoboth Beach, Del., "think tank" set up by Scanlon, who staffed it with beach friends from his summer job as a lifeguard. The center became a means for Abramoff and Scanlon to take money from foreign clients that they did not want to officially represent. Some of the funds came from the government of Malaysia. Banks and oil companies there were making deals in Sudan, where U.S. companies were barred on human rights grounds.

This is a very long piece, but it is essential reading for anyone looking to make his life's work in lobbying.