Former “super” lobbyist Jack Abramoff thinks Newt Gingrich’s campaign has suffered a brutal blow after reports surfaced that he received “consulting fees” from mortgage giant Freddie Mac that totaled between $1.6 million and $1.8 million, an amount much larger than previously disclosed.
“I don’t know if he’ll survive this,” Abramoff surmised. “This is a very big thing.”
“The very things that anger the Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement and everybody who is not in a movement and watches Washington and says why are these guys getting all this money, why do they go become so rich, why do they have these advantages? Unfortunately Newt seems to play right into it,” he said.
Gingrich initially responded to criticism of his ties to the troubled firm during a CNBC debate last week by saying he provided advice as a “historian.” Abramoff dismissed Gingrich’s explanation Wednesday, saying, “I'm unaware of any history professor being paid that much money to give someone a history lesson.”
Abramoff, who spent three years in prison on corruption and conspiracy charges, told David in his weekly PRESS Pass conversation that even after new reforms in Washington, “at some level everybody’s participating in something that they shouldn’t be.” He also gave PRESS Pass an insider look at how he was able to buy and sell influence on Capitol Hill for years without being caught, and urged Americans to be “very upset” with the state of Washington today.
Watch the full PRESS Pass above for more on Abramoff’s notorious lobbying practices before he was jailed, how he thinks the system should be reformed, and his Jewish faith including the answer to this question from David: “In the Jewish faith, it’s said that in the Talmud, that one of the first questions God asks you in heaven is, ‘Were you honest in your business dealings?’”
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I would vote Jack Abramoff before I would vote for Newt. At least he's not a hypocrite.
He is probably better than any of the candidates the Republicans have running now. At least his prison term is over.
in that case you wouldn't be able to vote for any liberal.
I would vote for Jimmy Carter before I would vote for Obama.
O my gosh, did I actually say that? I meant Mickey Mouse.
So now MSNBC needs to consult criminals for political opinion?
Hilarious.
Newt will be just fine. As a conservative, I love the idea that his PRIVATE FIRM made money on the idiots at Freddie.
yes obama is cleaning the world up. the three oclock phone call i want obama. you will wake tomarrow because because the way he and the gen's got under control. remember newt got kick out of office . was on gonerment bussiness and was getting blow jobs why'll his wife was at home. reel nice guy.
Gee Paul F, is that the best you got? No one is saying anything about Newt making 1.8 million dollars. That is the American dream. The problem is he does not seem to remember making 1.8 million dollars. Most normal individuals would remember making that kind of money. So he is either not normal or a liar. Take your pick.
Did you happen to read the part of this article where it stated that he advised against the sub prime mortgages? Sheesh, work on that reading comprehension.
You are getting him confused with Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. Those are the ones pushing these loans onto people who could not afford them. Not Newt.
Had the government sponsored enterprises of fanny and freddie listened to Newt we would not be in this economic mess we are in today. Get a clue you are embarrassing yourself.
Galt-2012
@Paul F Unfortunately he didn't just make money off of the "idiots" at Freddie Mac. He took it from the American taxpayer who gave Freddie Mac $71 Billion dollars in TARP money, and the American people deserve better than having that money paid out for political bribes under the guise of consulting fees.
Hey Bob F its called crony captalism, a term you conservatives should be real familiar with. You know capilaize profit, socialize risk. So of course you love it that he makes millions for doing nothing, and I'm sure he was taxed at the low capital gains rate--if at all. Yeah I gotta hand to you conservatives, you figured out how to get your money for nothing, and tax free--just convice the voting public that if you can just have a little more the pot will overflow and the trickle down will begin. And you don't see a problem with piggies feeding at the public trough--bless your artery hardened conservative to the bone heart
That's why i'm voting for Ron Paul
Why is a convicted felon getting press time?
Not that I'm a Gingrich fan, but Abramoff really?
What is David Gregory thinking.
Thunderbird...
Bob F cannot comprehend your simple concepts....too confusing.
Elliot...
Freddie and Fannie do not make loans. They buy loans others have made. So, someone else was stupid enough to lend the money, you know, your buddies at Goldman, JP, BoA, and the other welfare criminals.
Then, Dodd and Frank, while certainly happy to take bank money, like all other politicans, they actually fixed the problem (they took power in 2008). The crimes and social tragedy were committed during the GOP rule of Congress (1996-2008) and their control over those Commitees.
...wait, those are the same years GINGRICH was LOBBYING for Freddie, wasn't it. Or, maybe they gave GNEYT $1.8 million to give them a history lesson. A man who has repeatedly lied to the American people...kicked out of Congress.
And, "let's hear a round of applause for the top, best-hope, GOP candidate for President...Newt Gingrich!"
...Too much Fox News causes tooth decay.
(paraphrasing) I read one person's thread that " they are consulting an Ex-Felon ". How many of you on this vine have not committed a crime of some sort?? did you know in California, the District Attorney can take all your misdemeanors from child birth, strike them into FELONIES and send you to PRISON FOR LIFE!!!!! (because of that PUNK "MARK KLASS"). I know everyone on this vine has stolen something more then three times in their LIFE (THREE STRIKES LAW, YOUR OUT). I thought this was a CHRISTIAN COUNTRY where you are FORGIVEN when you turn your LIFE around for the better. Or do you CHRISTIANS believe that once your an EX-FELON you no longer belong to the HUMAN RACE AND CAN NOT VOICE YOUR OPINIONS?? A FACT: The Law Enforcement in the USA has more CRIMINALS then what is on the streets.
So why are they quoting an ex-felon. Are they trying to make a case of "Guilt by association", even if there was no association?
That's a little like the press quoting Tony Rezko about questionable campaign contributions given to Obama by Solyndra.
Paul F - No, they made money of of US...the U.S. taxpayers.
No Bob. They bought loans from other banks and then loaned the money to unfit borrowers. This is why it hit so many banks.
Why don't you just watch Power Bottom Barney and see what he was up to in 05
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW5qKYfqALE&feature=related
I guess many on this newsvine are too young to remember all the rehabilitated crooks from Nixon's regime that were retreaded as pols. You have to know history before you can learn from it.
Abramoff needs to be careful. Seems people who talk too much in government end up dead....suicide ya know...wink wink
Newt has one important attribute of a successful politician - he knows no shame. They could fnd a dungeon with 12 under age boys in his house and he'd still carry on as if the whole thing was orchestrated by "The Liberal Media."
Purnell Meagre Jr. "Newt has one important attribute of a successful politician - he knows no shame. They could fnd a dungeon with 12 under age boys in his house and he'd still carry on as if the whole thing was orchestrated by "The Liberal Media." "
The same could be said for Obama - only the story would be hidden on page 32 of the newspaper or the 'Midnight News' on TV for Obama.
Roy - the Liberal Media is a myth which owes it persistence to two factors:
1.) the paranoia that afflicts many on the Right,
2.) among the more mentally agile it's a form of gamesmanship - similar to what Phil Jackson used to do to the referees before a playoff series.
There are plenty of Donkephant examples. In a divided nation, they thrive, and not us. 393 current / former members of Congress have been paid lobbyists or foreign agents in the past decade.
legistorm.com/blog/former-lobbyists-working-for-congress-outnumber-elected-lawmakers.html
Almost all former members of Congress become lobbyist or like Gingrich influence peddlers once they leave their office. If you watched 60 minutes, you know they trade on information that they learn behind closed door hearings. It isn't strange to any of you that most leave Congress as mult-millionaires. Dennis Hastert is one mentioned. Now, how about Boehner, Pelosi, the Congressman from Alabama who made trades as soon as his committee got inside information during a hearing. Legal graft and you defend these people like they are great Americans working on your behalf. I don't think so. They work for big business, foreign Nations, the wealthy, and anyone else who can line their pockets. There has been a bill to make it illegal for Congress members to use inside information for personal gain and no leader, Republican or Democrat will allow it to be debated, why is that?? The whole bunch should be wearing prison stripes. Gingrich is just as crooked as the rest. Now, look at all the staffers who become lobbyists and the list goes on and on and some of you defend them like they are Gods who can be trusted with your life, and they are being entrusted with your livelihood, but unless you can line their pockets you will only receive that so called trickle down boost to your wallet or as I would really put it, the Peons get to lick up the crumbs that don't fall between the floor cracks. We are like the rats scrambling to survive on a limited amount of crumbs. When the ship sinks we don't survive while the captains row away in their lifeboats. We elect these people on the lies they tell, the pomises they never intend to keep. They are all bout power, money, and influence. This is not a government by the people of for the people any longer and don't say the Democrats are the cause or the Republicans are the cause. We are the Cause. We keep sending these crooks back and we become convinced by their lies that its the other party. If we took out all the liars in Congress at this very moment, the halls of Congress would be empty and the walls bare of valuables.
It takes a crook to out another crook
Best Destiny:
Unless I forget or get sidetracked...every one of my posts from now until something changes will end with FOX LIES. I INVITE ALL PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT FOX LIES TO DO THE SAME THING.
If you see a security camera trained on you .....smile and say FOX LIES!!!!!
When the cameras come out for the holidays smile and say FOX LIES!!!!!
If you call into a talk show, end your call with FOX LIES!!!
Hell, end all your phone calls with FOX LIES!!!
Fox Lies.
Paul F#1.4: Who better to talk to about political crookedness than a heretofore political crook? I believe you could be suffering from a tangled vine. Fox lies!
Purnell Meagre Jr. "Roy - the Liberal Media is a myth"
The myth is saying the Liberal Media is a myth. lol
There have been plenty of studies that examined the percentage of negative/positive stories in the mainstream media by a variety of academics. The results are consistent.
The percentage of stories classified as positive for Democrats is typically about 70%.
The percentage of stories classified as positive for Republicans is typically about 35%.
But I'm sure your response would be something like "Well, there's a lot fewer positive things to say about Republicans", which only proves my point.
Of course, since the number of college teachers (especially in Journalism) that classify themselves as Liberal outnumber those who classify themselves as Conservative by about 9 to one, this is hardly surprising.
Paul F,
Are you always as delusional as in your post #1.4?
Roy - you're looking at the trees and missing the forest - the trend from the early 80s to 2008 has been totally to the right - to put this in concrete form - imagine you are on the prow of a ship heading from New York to London - the ship is going West to East - you, however, start walking to the back of the ship - heading West, you'd think, if all you knew was the ship when, in actuality you are heading East.
Pot, kettle; kettle, pot.
Thunderbird...
Bob F cannot comprehend your simple concepts....too confusing.
Elliot...
Freddie and Fannie do not make loans. They buy loans others have made. So, someone else was stupid enough to lend the money, you know, your buddies at Goldman, JP, BoA, and the other welfare criminals.
Then, Dodd and Frank, while certainly happy to take bank money, like all other politicans, they actually fixed the problem (they took power in 2008). The crimes and social tragedy were committed during the GOP rule of Congress (1996-2008) and their control over those Commitees.
...wait, those are the same years GINGRICH was LOBBYING for Freddie, wasn't it. Or maybe they gave GNEYT $1.8 million (or more, elst he would release the real $#s). A man who has repeatedly lied to the American people...kicked out of Congress.
And, "let's hear a round of applause for the top, best-hope, GOP candidate for President...Newy Gingrich!"
I'm sure pot was involved as well. Medicinal, of course!
Amazing how prison can change a man's morals. He sounds like he's trying to come clean with the world and himself.
It takes a thief, to catch a thief.
Your right This man probably has the goods on all of them
I think a cold beer and a little whoop-de-do with his wife might kill him.
yes, but whooping whose wife? Oh wait, you weren't refering to Newt?
This guy should not be given a platform to say anything after what he did.
I said the same thing about George W Bush before the end of his first term. Nobody listened.
Buddy, for Jack to do what he did, he needed politicians willing to take his money and there were tons of them.
like funneling millions, if not billions, of tax payer money to campaign contributors?
Hey, if you want to build a better safe, you don't ask the manufacturer, you ask the bank robber.
Gotta love the spin to try to position $1.6MM in compensation for a "history lesson"...
"History" sounds like an appropriate description of Newt's campaign in about a week....
Wanna bet?
Sure, I'll take that bet. Seems like the GOP is playing musical chairs and the needle stops about every 2 weeks on a new chair.
This is a completely legal and documented relationship, unlike the crooks in the White House and their gun running and Green Jobs scams costing us billions, and insider-trading rampant in Congress.
Paul F.
The insider trading is legal for Congress. Despite this, Newt still had to resign the Speaker position on ethics charges. Newt was doing the consulting work since 99, but he failed to remember that during his interview. Plenty of ethical conservatives exist. Find one instead of wasting your energy defending a proven crook and hypocrite.
survive what? the relentless attacks by the liberal media? we all know it's coming, no matter what republican candidate wins the nominations. hopefully the american people have wised up since 2008.
hopefully the american people have wised up since 2008.
- means unless you think like me you're stupid. The height of arrogance.
Every time I see Newt on TV, I bet those around me he would attack the "liberal media", and then he does. There is a reason he shoots the messenger and others have followed the strategy. Studying aspects of social-engineering/Brain-washing (i.e. Jim Jones) and why it works, would do you and your party a world of good.
The KGB referred to it as the Destabilization phase, which leads into the Crisis phase (Which newt is always full of them, too). Then in your search for Normalization, you'll only listen to the one side and close your mind due to the Destabilization phase. It's simple to pull off on those who are unaware, and at times even funny to watch.
Tymaxx,
go home and have your mom slap you.
Nobody wise ever says: "hopefully the American people have wised up since ____"
That question is always rhetorical (and humorous to history buffs).
Or the venomous rants and lies of Conservative media.
Hey let the Fox tell us how he got to all those chickens....
So, you'd rather ask the sleeping hounddog who done the darn dirty deed?
Good luck with that.
These things are basically legal. Legislation that Congress writes that says you are breaking the law and what you are doing is illegal, they write themselves as being exempt from the same laws. It's legal for them to trade on inside information. Congress is sold emboldened and think American people are so stupid that they would probably exempt themselves from murder. They seeem to be getting away with plenty of it.
regretfully this does seem to be the case.
There is no attack. The report says he took money. The man admits taking money for a "history lesson." How is that an attack?
LL
took the money and put it in his pocket. use the money to cheat on his wife.
That history lesson lasted several years.
Does anyone find it interesting that right when Gingrich rose in the polls this "new" information was found out? Just like when Herman Cain was rising in the polls "new" information about sexual harassment was found out? Just like when Trump led the polls, just like when Bachmann led in the polls..... The liberal playbook is old, tired, and I'm very surprised the media allows itself to be manipulated like this. It's just predictable!
Naw, the media aren't manipulated by liberals....the media ARE f**king liberals!
Speaking of predictable...weren't you one of the folks riding the left for wild conspiracy theories when we were all talking about how the right was maliciously wrecking the economy? I guess the shoe on that foot was one of a pair- and it would appear you just joined the club in style.
And...spider...if you did a little research on who owns the media, maybe you wouldn't get washed down that spout so often. Here ya go: http://www.freepress.net/resources/ownership
you should watch something other than Fox news they were already talking about 300k now it's 1.6 mill or more and he was kicked out of the speakership by his own party.But you know history lessons can be very expensive
The playbook written by Bush's Brain, you mean? Don't blame the Liberals for reading the book written by Karl Rove. But that is the point, the right would rather blame the Liberal media as they call it, then to call out who is calling the shots, look to your own party guys, cause this has Rove written all over it! As a Liberal I want either Cain or Gingrich to get the nomination, bring it on! But it just cracks me up to always hear the left being blamed, when actual facts come out, that don't bode well, for their candidate, and how is the left to blame? Go watch Bush's brain, this is Rove politics all the way!
You are naive if you think it is the media or the democrats. Mitt Romney is a master of hiring private investigators to dig up dirt on opponents and use others to " discover" it.
Mike Huckabee said as much in relation to the Cain harrassment scandal.
Huckabee said he knew the reporters that broke that story," and they ain't that smart". Nothing is worse than a prinmary battle, nor bloodier.
Truth really hurts you guys. Your so used to the spewing lies and hate of Limbaugh and Hannity in there effort to divide this country and making millions doing it. That's okay I'm sure that's more in your comfort zone.
Jack's always been in it for the money. It's refreshing to see someone who's always been honest about their goals- whether you like them or not.
Gingrich? The guy who was being unfaithful to his own wife while attacking Clinton for the same thing? He was expendable from the git-go, and knew it.
We won't see any serious Republican contenders in this election- everyone sane understands that two-term presidents are the norm, and that Obama is unlikely to be the exception.
Watch 2016 for a major outlay of cash, and some contenders with more than two lonesome brain cells calling out to each other through the aching void of any otherwise empty skull...hopefully on both sides.
The best I can remember, Carter was a one term president.
Nixon: One of the most internationally effective pro-active President who projected and earned respect and trust for the US around the World!
Carter: Energy would be almost free and 90% renewable today - Arabs would be riding camels and living in tents.
Both these potentially great Presidents are ridiculed, ran aground and were targeted by the Mighty ZioNazi Lobby that has the common Joe so brain washed so as to spend US blood and treasure willingly in Zionist Fascist name.
No presidential candidate can expect to run much less win unless he personally repudiates Jesus, pays homage at the Temple Western Wall in Jerusalem, in the land of "Vipers". The latest 'Christian' candidate to surrender allegiance is Mr. Herman Cain. His meteoric stealth rise orchestrated by the 'Chosen dammed of Yahweh' was immediately exposed by...
The only GOP stalwart fighting for the US Constitution and for the peace and prosperity of the American people is Ron Paul. Incidentally, the only one who can confidently face and counter the athletic eloquent cold hard unreliable President Obama.
Others are completely out-classed by the President. ZioFascist don't want Ron Paul and have 'trained' Joe not to want him too - has
dogshim running through hoops!During his readings of the Talmud Mr Abramoff must have zeroed-in that it's ok for a jew to lie to a gentile....business or other wise.
The Talmud is very specific about the less than human value of the Gentile as compared to the Jew, and the animals owned by the Jew!
These business dealings are by definition between the 'Chosen'. Cheating Gentiles, who are inferior to the Jewish Master Race[Mirror of Hitler] is acceptable even recommended, as of no consequence to the Jew! The Talmud is an interesting read in race dynamics...Mien Kampth is kid stuff in comparison!
The best I can remember, CHENEY-Bush were 2X. That was smart. Kinda like stepping on a garden rake with the tines up. OUCH ! ! ! ! ------ Floyd:
As far as Newt. Well, there is always that Newt to deal with.
Did you happen to read the part of this article where it stated that he advised against the sub prime mortgages? Sheesh, work on that reading comprehension.
You are getting him confused with Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. Those are the ones pushing these loans onto people who could not afford them. Not Newt.
Had the government sponsored enterprises of fanny and freddie listened to Newt we would not be in this economic mess we are in today. Get a clue you are embarrassing yourself.
Galt-2012
Listen to Newt's advice? Is it in writing? If not, he's just offering cover for those who believe his schtik. His 8th grade war talk is enough to ensure his defeat.
elliot
Since you seem to have inside knowledge (you ain't just repeating what you heard, are you?), would you be kind enough to post a copy of the report that Newt wrote advising Fannie, Freddy or both to avoid sub-prime mortgages.
After all, if the agency(ies) spent $300k or $1.8 million, they would at least expect Newt's historical perspective in writing.
The Washington Post disputes that he advised against the sub-prime mortgages. They also dispute his history lesson claim.
Newt may be the smartest and most coherent man on the debate stage, but by the time they dig up all the dirt on his background he will be a goner. Too many shenanigans and too much dirty money and way too much baggage.
there once was a man named newt
he pocketed all the loot
history is the lesson
with the voters he's messing
I think he'll get hit in the snoot
Or, He'll for sure get the boot. Good one Everyman.
Newt may be the smartest and most coherent man on the debate stage, but by the time they dig up all the dirt on his background he will be a goner. Too many shenanigans and too much dirty money and way too much baggage.
Transcripts/ letters/ spreadsheets are needed to confirm what advice, if any, Newt imparted for 1.8 million dollars. Newt is a DC insider with a history of lying.
Newt may be the smartest and most coherent candidate on the debate stage, but by the time they dig up all the dirt in his background he will be a goner. All the shenanigans and the dirty money and waaaaaay too much baggage. It will have been a good run and a short run but he will be gone.
Re: Newt being the "smartest and most coherent" GOP candidate, that's a fairly low bar to clear.
The repubs have had allot of years and knowing the Bushes would leave a bad taste in every-body's mouth, it just seems crazy that they haven't been able to put forth and electable candidate.
This is all just crazy....really libs want to crack Newt because he cheated on his wife?....Clinton was using Lewinsky as a humidor and there was no problem with that going on in the oval office......give me a break....at least Newt is saying Fanny and Freddie are srewed up.....Obama would still sell out the American tax payers to support this crazy institution....Obama and pelosi love the crazy people that are doing the OWS crap and now they own them...I hope the OWS crowd stays around up untill the elections and take down Obama and Pelosi with them.
thebeach--It's not the act of cheating; it's the hyprocisy. Cheating on his wife with his employee while calling for Clinton's impeachment for the same offense is hypocritical. Newt may now be saying that Fanny and Freddie are screwed up but in 2006 he was writing articles praising their business model and urging others to follow it. Incidentally, the Fannie/Freddie bail out was passed and signed in July 2008, under the leadership of GW Bush. I believe Obama said he understood the frustrations of the Occupy Wall Street crowd. If you could get past your prejudices and learn what OWS is all about, you might understand them, too.
Clinton wasn't going to be impeached for cheating. It was his lying while under oath. Get your facts straight. It's nowhere near the same thing.
Well when the Tea Party had the same type of ....I guess we will call them demonstrations .....all you libs claimed they were radicals...gun toting nuts...but there were no rapes..killings....suicides....drugs....trashing stores....now they are saying that they are going to burn down the city....I don't remember any of that crap going on during tea party rallies....maybe I would really not want to know what the OWS people are all about...and who would with all that crap going on....I guess you would....Personally I do not want to have anything to do with people who have no respect for the law or who believe that they have a right to take over property that does not belong to them.....maybe it would be OK if someone put a tent on your property and crapped on your lawn while smoking dope...but do it on mine and we are going to have a problem.....people do not have a first amendment right to take over someones property.
A greater percentage of people favor OWS ideas over those of the "Tea Party"! !
Where & wheb did you swallow the idea that all Liberals gave Slick Willie a free pass on infidelity ?
Another lie you seem to believe is that when a Liberal POTUS is elected, every Liberal voted for them. You see, this side is different than your side, in that we are not all required to vote the party line in order to determine a viable candidate or get one elected. It only take 70 % of Liberals, the rest is made up by Independents & dissatisfied Conservatives from a faction ignored by the Party.
Please spend your time in search for a viable candidate who can challenge the Liberal choice equally, we had hoped you learned your lesson when a war hero & a pig w/lipsick failed to overcome a community organizer with no experience.
Clinton did not send Kenneth Starr to try to get Newt impeached for his infidelities.
I hesitate to call Newt a liar because I'm not sure he knows the difference between the truth and a lie.
Newt earned his millions as a history consultant. In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Well, that should be worth about one hundred thousand dollars.
A slight attack-
Regarding the subject of Freddie Mac.
Another non-story by NBC. They paid him to consult. He did a job and got a lot of money for it. So what? He's rising fast in the polls, so it's time for the attacks by the liberal media. For some reason I still can't fathom, they want Obama to be re-elected despite the fact that he's been a total failure.
The truthful term for a lobbyist giving a Congressman, with an 8th grade education nearly $2,000,000.00 for a "History" lesson is BRIBARY.
Newt is a reminder of the filth we have in Washington and the corruption of the GreedyOnePercent (GOP) that is destroying America.
The Republican Party should be on the payroll of Al-Qaeda. The Republicans are Anti-American and have done more to destroy America and the ideas America was founded on than Bin Laden could ever do.
From Mitt Romney sending American Factories to China, and giving American Technology to China, which is TREASON, to "I will sell the government to anyone with a dollar" Newt, to the Republicans hiding in Airport Restrooms, the Republican Party can't find one person with morals to run for office.
And the sad part is the Democrates aren't much better.
That's why the 99% are FED UP.
Except every thing he has done has been a success...
there once was a man named newt
he pocketed all the loot
history is the lesson
with the voters he's messing
I think he'll get hit in the snoot
Great! I can't top that!