"A caucus of American Indian political leaders in Denver is considering a resolution that ties convicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff to Republican presidential candidate John McCain — through the person of Ralph Reed.

Here’s the problem. Basically, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, chaired by McCain, found that Indian tribes — who were operating high-dollar casinos — knew exactly what they were getting when they hired Reed to turn out evangelicals to beat down gambling competition in nearby locales.

In other words, Tribe A was out to sabotage the livelihood of Tribe B. And this is one of the reasons, perhaps, why Reed was not called to testify. This kind of inter-tribal warfare wouldn’t have been a pleasant site.

McCain’s committee also found that Abramoff’s cheating of the tribes began after the lobbyist had cut his friend out of the money. In essence, Abramoff and an accompliced faked the services that Reed had been supplying in actuality."

Get the Story:
Political Insider: Reed, Abramoff and McCain the target of American Indians in Denver (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 8/26)
Sam Dealey: Abramoff Sentences Looming? (US News and World Report 8/26)

Related Stories:
Native Democrats tie Abramoff to McCain campaign (8/26)
Sen. McCain doesn't know how many homes he owns (8/22)
Jodi Rave: McCain cozies up to Abramoff associate (8/19)
Abramoff figure a no-show at Sen. McCain fundraiser (8/19)
Opinion: Who is John McCain, the candidate? (8/18)
Opinion: Sen. McCain loses image as reformer (8/15)
McCain denies Abramoff figure works for campaign (8/14)
McCain urged to kill fundraiser with Abramoff figure (8/13)
Sen. McCain snubs tribes on South Dakota visit (8/12)
Nighthorse Campbell stumps for Sen. McCain (8/12)
Sen. McCain campaigns with Abramoff associate (8/11)
Abramoff raised $30K for potential McCain pick (8/7)
Jodi Rave: McCain's stop at Sturgis bike rally (8/6)
Potential McCain VP pick has ties to Abramoff (8/6)
Sen. McCain to campaign at Sturgis biker rally (8/4)
Lobbyists contribute $181,000 to Sen. McCain (7/28)
Indian gaming non-lobbyist part of McCain team (7/8)
Sen. McCain secures GOP nomination for president (3/5)