Republican strategists are beginning to worry that Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) is being hurt by news coverage and constituent concerns over his role in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, The Washington Post reports.

Ney worked closely with Abramoff on a rider that would have helped the Tigua Tribe of Texas reopen its casino. But when word of his involvement broke, he said he was "duped" by Abramoff into believing that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) supported the rider.

Ney has since hired a criminal lawyer as he prepares for questioning by the House ethics committee. Newspapers in his district are paying close attention to the Abramoff scandal and Ney's ties to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who has ethics worries of his own to think about.

Get the Story:
GOP Worries Ethics Issue May Hurt Party in '06 (The Washington Post 6/6)
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Relevant Links:
Rep. Bob Ney - http://ney.house.gov

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