"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 Related Stories:
Abramoff cut Ralph Reed off from Choctaw money (6/29)
Hopi Tribe drops lobbyist who worked with Abramoff (6/28)
Hayworth downplays links to Abramoff scandal (6/28)
SagChip leader feels vindicated on Jack Abramoff (6/28)
Republican lobbyists fighting for, against tribes (6/28)
Choctaws hire three ex-Abramoff lobbyists (6/27)
Senate committee plans to issue lobbying report (6/24)
Under scrutiny, Choctaw tribe goes into hiding (6/24)
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 Nation (6/24)
Column: No limits to Republican sleaze in Washington (6/24)
Editorial: Washington in worst lobbying scandal ever (6/24)
Update on Senate hearing into lobbying scandal (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws focus of Senate lobbying hearing (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws at center of lobbying hearing (6/22)
NIGA issues statement on tribal lobbying scandal (6/22)
Coushatta Tribe gave millions to lobbyists, campaigns (6/22)
Influence peddling on the rise in Washington (6/22)
Another hearing on Abramoff lobbying scandal (06/21)
Reed's story on Tiguas doesn't match Abramoff's (06/20)
Opinion sought on GOP group's use of tribal funds (06/16)
Other tribes attended White House meeting with Bush (06/08)
Two tribes paid $50K to attend White House meeting (06/07)
Miss Choctaws say gaming cash not used to lobby (05/31)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Ralph Reed changes story on $1.15M tribal donation (05/20)
GOP group funneled tribal money to anti-gamblers (05/13)
Money tribes gave to Abramoff ended up in Israel (4/25)
McCain plans to finish hearings on lobbyist scandal (03/21)
FEC ruling separates tribes from their businesses (03/14)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (3/14)
Mississippi Choctaw lawyer referred Abramoff (11/22)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Choctaw Tribe's lobbying documents kept secret (10/4)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Choctaw chief Martin defends embattled GOP lobbyist (04/09)
McCain pushing Choctaw tribe to cooperate with probe (4/8)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)