From NPR Archives: three great interviews about GOP and lobbying

[crikkett]

I was finally able to catch up on "Fresh Air" interviews, thanks to NPR's audio archive.
I wanted to bring these three to your attention, they offer good education on the workings of Washington DC.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5033567
Politics & Society
The GOP's American Vision: 'Off Center'
by Terry Gross

Fresh Air from WHYY, December 1, 2005 · Political scientists Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson are the authors of the new book Off Center: The Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy.

In the book, Hacker and Pierson examine the tactics of far-right Republicans -- and how they've changed the system for years to come. They split their subject matter into two topics: "Abandoning the Middle" and "Broken Checks and Balances."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5043991
Politics & Society
Tracking Influence's Money Trail

Fresh Air from WHYY, December 8, 2005 · Hundreds of recent trips made by White House officials are underwritten by private entities. According to a report by the Center for Public Integrity, the total spent over one seven-year span totaled nearly $1.5 million.

Alex Knott, a political editor at the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, produced the research, which details the expenses shouldered by federal contractors, lobbyists and other groups.

Knott covers politics and lobbying at the Center for Public Integrity, which researches and reports on public policy issues.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5032567
Politics & Society
Abramoff, Scanlon and the Influence of Money
by Terry Gross

Fresh Air from WHYY, November 30, 2005 · The grand jury investigation of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has taken many twists and turns in recent months. While investigators are still determining the extent of Abramoff's influence with lawmakers of both parties, an associate of Abramoff's has pled guilty to conspiracy.

<snip>

The main investigation is continuing -- and it has broadened to include Abramoff's ties with congressmen and a White House budget official among others. Court papers filed earlier this month allege that Scanlon and Abramoff sought to offer and provide things of value, including money, meals, trips and entertainment, to public officials in return for agreements to perform official acts.

The latest revelation in the story concerns Senate Indian Affairs Committee Vice Chairman Byron Dorgan. A lawyer for the Louisiana Coushatta Indians has told The Associated Press that in 2002, Abramoff instructed the tribe to send $5,000 to Sen. Byron Dorgan's political group. The suggestion came weeks after the North Dakota Democrat supported an Indian school construction program.

[Double T]

1. We will need paddy wagons parked and standing by at the...........

WH and Capitol Hill to arrest and take away republican officials. Don't you just LOVE ALL THE INTEGRITY AND VALUES that have been restored to the WH and Congress.