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NRCC: Let's Not "Rush to Judgment"
As Josh noted, the National Republican Congressional Committee has released a statement to CNN about the $15,000 in contributions it got from Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, the man indicted last week for financing terrorists in Afghanistan:
"We are extremely concerned and disturbed by these charges but we need to be careful not to rush to judgment as the judicial process moves forward. If the individual in question is actually found guilty of a crime, it is our intent to donate the money to charity."
Just because you're the subject of a federal indictment, in other words, doesn't mean your money's not good enough for the NRCC. That's no surprise from the group that has refused to return the money contributed by ex-Reps. Mark Foley (R-FL) and Bob Ney (R-OH).
Lax though that may seem, it's a more serious response than the NRCC's reaction to the last member of their Business Advisory Council to be indicted for terrorist related charges, Yasith Chhun, the head of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters. Then, NRCC spokesman Carl Forti, after cautioning that Chhun "hasn't been convicted of anything" would only say that his case was "something we need to look at," adding that they "wouldn't want any leader of a terrorist organization being members of our business advisory council." He was silent on the question of Chhun's contributions.
Now, Chhun is up for trial next month, so the NRCC should get their answer pretty soon.
If he were a democratic supporter he would already be in Gitmo without and attorney and without any means to appeal.
February 20, 2007 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course the joke has already run through everyone else's mind by now, but... isn't "rushing to judgment" the standard operating procedure of the Bush Party?
How appropriate that "shame" is the security code du jour.
February 20, 2007 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"careful not to rush to judgment as the judicial process moves forward" - from the same crew that is willing to lock up the Gitmo detainees forever on the same administration's say so. That's just rich.
February 20, 2007 6:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since terrorists are blowing apart out troops, wouldn't one be OVERLY cautious with this and just donate the money to charity regardless of what the outcome is.
Oh I forgot, we're talking about Republicans. Patriotism, integrity and honor are just political props.
February 20, 2007 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suggest you save that statement from the NRCC and use it the next time the Republicans or the right wing start attacking a Democrat for alleged political skullduggery.
February 20, 2007 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's a big difference between a free lancer (allegedly) running a guerilla group seeking to overthrow an existing regime that the U.S. recognizes (Cambodia) and someone who's making contributions to known and above-board organizations, however in dispute their nature or the nature of the contribution.
February 20, 2007 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We are extremely concerned and disturbed by these charges but we need to be careful not to rush to judgment as the judicial process moves forward. If Nancy Pelosi is actually found guilty of a crime, it is our intent to donate the Plane to charity."
February 20, 2007 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, let's be calm about this. It's not as if the guy spent his youth in a madrassa or has requested special planes to transport him from DC to his home.
February 20, 2007 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
We don't "rush to judgment" about our possible errors; only those of the Democrats. So what else is new?
February 20, 2007 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Don't rush to judgement"
Bob Ney
February 20, 2007 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone's 100% right about the hypocrisy of this, coming from the GOP.
However, we really shouldn't rush to judgment on Alishtari. It's just an indictment -- an indictment by the Alberto Gonzales-led Justice Dept., which, if anything, should make us even MORE suspicious the whole case is a total clusterf*ck.
This is an appropriate to use for bashing the GOP for their constant rush to [a guilty] judgment in absolutely every other context. But let's be careful not to bash them for not rushing to judgment this time.
The problem isn't what they're doing this time; it's what they do all the rest of the time.
February 20, 2007 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
What U.S. Attorney/judicial district did this indictment come out of? Is the US Attorney that brought the indictment one of those that was replaced.
February 20, 2007 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Makes William Jefferson's "scandal" seem pretty lame...wasn't that about some cell phone contracts?
February 20, 2007 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
There will be no comment from the White House because the President never comments on an ongoing investigation.... ongoing investig.... ongoing inv... ongoing... on...
(How am I doin', Tony?)
February 20, 2007 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, NRCC,
When did you stop supporting terrorists?
February 20, 2007 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
... And yet Hillary thinks that the democrats don't care about her war against terrorism? I wonder what she'll say when she learns that the republicans are financing them.
February 20, 2007 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody else's butt on the line like this guy's and it would be: "Judicial Process? We don't need no steenking judicial process."
February 20, 2007 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
They'll withhold the money from charity as long as this doesn't rise to the level of "major scandal". Forget guilt or innocence. Which is good for us - we get to milk this story clear through this scum's guilty plea.
February 20, 2007 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would really like to know what prominent Republicans might have attended particular meetings and fundraisers with those charged. Specifically, I would really appreciate the national media giving this story at least as much attention as they did the entire Gore - Buddhist monk meme (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/wh022398.htm). Following the continual echoing of the "Taliban support Democrats" meme from the last two election cycles this should warrant even greater press breathlessness than the 'Gore is an agent of Red China story."
February 21, 2007 1:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
When it comes to money, the Republicans love to pretend to be moral, but the truth is in their actions.
Congressman Mark Green brought a half a million dollars of illegal outside campaign money into his run for Governor of Wi. Our state law says no outside contributions for the governor's race. Period! Mark Green tried to pretend that it was a matter of principle to ignore the will of the Wisconsin people. He lost! Yeah for our side!
February 21, 2007 6:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
So apparently merely being accused of aiding terrorists can be sufficient to be sent to Guantanamo, but it's not a high enough standard for returning campaign contributions.
Republicans: taking double standards to a new level.
February 21, 2007 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
So apparently merely being accused of aiding terrorists can be sufficient to be sent to Guantanamo, but it's not a high enough standard for returning campaign contributions.
Republicans: taking double standards to a new level.
Removing tongue from cheek, I agree with urbino above on the merits.
February 21, 2007 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
So much talk about how the Dems winning will make al Qaeda happy. They wouldn't be funding Republicans if that were so.
February 21, 2007 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well . . . Color me stunned. I agree with something from the NRCC . . . I sincerely believe that we need to avoid rushing to judgement regarding this matter. We NEED to take our time and savor the process of judgement. There NEEDS to be a lengthy PUBLIC investigation. There NEEDS to be multiple long drawn-out PUBLIC trials. There NEEDS to be either very long sentences or very short ones with PUBLIC hangings or firing squads abreviating the lives of traitors.
Please let us avoid rushing into judgement . . . AND televise everything.
February 21, 2007 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well . . . Color me stunned. I agree with something from the NRCC . . . I sincerely believe that we need to avoid rushing to judgement regarding this matter. We NEED to take our time and savor the process of judgement. There NEEDS to be a lengthy PUBLIC investigation. There NEEDS to be multiple long drawn-out PUBLIC trials. There NEEDS to be either very long sentences or very short ones with PUBLIC hangings or firing squads abreviating the lives of traitors.
Please let us avoid rushing into judgement . . . AND televise everything.
February 21, 2007 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
NOW the Republic Party says innocent until proven guilty. Great! I'll call Guantanamo with the good news!
February 22, 2007 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink