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Corruption Fever in Washington
ResumeThere was more bad news for the GOP and the country on the corruption front yesterday. Republican Congressman Randy Cunningham of California pled guilty to charges of taking $2.4 million dollars in bribes to help rig defense contracts — cash, antiques, vacations, a yacht, his daughter's graduation party — all on the take.
But Cunningham is just a sideshow in Washington's corruption woes these days. The big-time scandal revolves around lobbyist Jack Abramoff and charges that under George W. Bush and the Republican majority lobbying has crossed a line into straight up bribery for votes.
Defenders say this is the criminalization of politics. But it sure looks bad.
Hear about the corruption fever in Republican Washington.
Guests:
James Grimaldi, Investigative Reporter for the Washington Post
Karen Tumulty, National Political Correspondent for Time Magazine
Bill Allison, Editor-at-large, Center for Public Integrity
Mort Zuckerman, Chairman & Editor-in-chief of U.S.News & World Report
Retired Senator Alan Simpson, Honorary Chair of Americans for Campaign Reform (a non-partisan grassroots organization committed to federal funding of election campaigns).
This program aired on November 29, 2005.