[Mb-civic] Sen. Obama on Meet The Press

[Linda Hassler]

Earlier this week, Senator Obama joined Senate Democratic Leader Harry 
Reid, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and their Senate and House 
colleagues to shine a spotlight on the Republican "pay for play" 
politics that put special interests first at the expense of the 
priorities of the American people.
> "We've seen the head of the White House procurement office arrested. 
> We've seen some of our most powerful leaders of both the House and the 
> Senate under federal investigation. We've seen the number of 
> registered lobbyists in Washington double since George Bush came into 
> office. And of course, we've seen the indictment of Jack Abramoff.
>
> Over the past few days, there have been suggestions by Republican 
> operatives and commentators that this is somehow a bipartisan scandal.
>
> But let's be clear - while the Democrats certainly are not without sin 
> when it comes to money in politics, Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon 
> and the K Street project - these are Republican sins, and Republican 
> sins alone.
>
> What is also true is that the offenses involved go beyond Jack 
> Abramoff. They are bigger than golf junkets to Scotland and lavish 
> gifts for lawmakers.
>
> The recent scandals have shaken the very foundation of the American 
> people's faith in a government that will look out for their interests 
> and uphold their values.
>
> Because they don't just lead to morally offensive conduct on the part 
> of politicians. They lead to morally offensive legislation that hurts 
> hardworking Americans."
For more coverage:
  Democrats Counter GOP on Congress Ethics (Associated Press)

NBC's Meet the Press
You can hear more from Senator Obama on Sunday's Meet the Press.
It airs Sunday at 9:30 AM on NBC5 in Chicago or click here to find your 
local listings.