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Palin's Lobbyist Has Abramoff Ties
It looks like Sarah Palin's claim to represent a cleaner brand of politics could be about to take a bruising.
The Washington Post reports today that, while Mayor of Wasilla, Palin oversaw the hiring of a lobbyist, Steven Silver -- a former chief of staff to now-indicted GOP senator Ted Stevens -- to help win federal earmarks for the city.
But Silver appears to have additional ties that could further undercut Palin's image as a squeaky-clean reformer. According to Senate lobbying disclosure reports examined by TPMmuckraker, from 2002 to 2004 Silver listed as a client Jack Abramoff's lobbying firm, Greenberg Traurig. On Greenberg's behalf, Silver lobbied the federal government on "issues relating to Indian/Native American policy," "exploration for oil and gas" and "legislation relating to gaming issues" -- the very issues that Abramoff headed up for Greenberg at the time. In other words, Silver appears to have been a part of "Team Abramoff."
Indeed, one specific bill that Silver lobbied on for Greenberg, according to the forms, was S.627, also known as the Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act. A former Greenberg lobbyist confirmed to TPMmuckraker that Silver would have been working to oppose the bill. And it was an earlier version of this very bill that Abramoff famously worked to spike, with the support of Christian conservative leaders Lou Sheldon and Ralph Reed.
There's additional evidence of ties between Silver and Abramoff. Emails released by a House committee in 2006 as part of a probe of Abramoff show the now-disgraced lobbyist scheduling a meeting with Silver in 2001.
Silver is a member of the Anchorage-based law firm of Robertson, Monacle, and Eastaugh, which the Post describes as having "close ties" to Stevens, and Alaska Congressman Don Young, who's under federal investigation for allegedly taking bribes. Since 2005, Silver has contributed $3500 each to Stevens and Young, according to campaign contributions records posted at CampaignMoney.com.
This is far from the first time that Abramoff's trail of corruption has led to Alaska. Last year, Mark Zachares, a former aide to Young, pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from Abramoff in return for using his position to advance Abramoff's goals.
Silver did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

















A friend who attended Senator Steven's daughter's wedding this weekend told me he was furious that McCain chose Palin. I was wondering if this was because it would only lead back to his dealings. Nice work.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
September 2, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is a grown woman. She could have said "Thanks, but no thanks" instead she chose that phrase for something else.
September 2, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Drip drip drip.
September 2, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, drip, drip. I am so enjoying Sarah Eagleton...um I mean Palin. This is so much fun. She is so thoroughly vetted and McCain is pleased with the results.
September 2, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
All that federal money going into a town of 6500 and she still manages to leave Wasilly $20 mil. in debt?
September 2, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah Palin: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
September 2, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love the smell of toast in the morning.
September 2, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I said the day this choice was announced, Palin is the gift that will keep on giving. I am familiar with Alaskan politicians and that's all I needed to know. Sarah is even better than I'd hoped with notions veering all over the right wing road to hell.
Usually nobody pays attention to "the way it's done in Alaska." This is going to be endlessly entertaining.
September 2, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
[sets aside atheism] It appears that God is no longer on the GOP's side. /snark [picks up atheism and resumes normal operation]
September 2, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
pragma HOLY(ROLLER => on);
See now that's what's wrong with the whole Republican mindset. They need to get right with Jesus and get on God's side and stop presuming She's gonna come wandering over to _their_ side.
pragma HOLY(ROLLER => off);
September 2, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is just full of goodies and surprise!
September 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Truly, Sarah Palin is the gift that keeps on giving. We should all chip in and send Grandpa McSame a big ol' thank-you fruit basket.
September 2, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
We would need to buy him 7 fruit baskets...
September 2, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Daily Howler has some great stuff on Palin. A good way to broaden ones understanding.
http://www.dailyhowler.com/
September 2, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone checked her campaign donations during her run for governor? My bet is that there is tracks leading to Silver all over there too. You don't go from mayor of a tiny town to governor without using this kind of contacts.
September 2, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not that simple. She stopped being mayor to run for Lt. Gov. and lost. Then she spent four years doing ??? before getting elected as Gov. Nobody is talking about that gap yet. I am waiting to see that comes out of that period of time.
September 2, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
She ran Stevens 527-affiliated group. That came out yesterday.
September 2, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is getting to be like apples falling from a tree. You don't even need a ladder to pick them!
September 2, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do they need our votes if God wants her to win?
September 2, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another good reason to ask McCain why he sealed all those documents from his investigation regarding Abramoff and his cronies
September 2, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
As toomuchpr said, Palin left her town in serious debt. If she got that much money in earmarks and left it in that much debt, where did the money go?
September 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's some money to be followed.
September 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's about time! I was going through scandal withdraw....it's been, what, a whole twelve hours without something new.
Thanks for the fix...yes, she IS the gift that keeps on giving!
September 2, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here in Alaska she totally evaded running on the "Jesus Ticket", she would not have won the election if she had played it OR looked like Janet Reno.
I'm disgusted that she is being put forth to appease the religious extremists and obviously hasn't had any sway in getting McCain to change his position on ANWR.
When/if she gets back to Alaska - there is going to be hell to pay.
Her approval ratings have to do with her rhetoric - everyone here in Alaska is still waiting for the results.
September 2, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here in Alaska she totally evaded running on the "Jesus Ticket", she would not have won the election if she had played it OR looked like Janet Reno.
I'm disgusted that she is being put forth to appease the religious extremists and obviously hasn't had any sway in getting McCain to change his position on ANWR.
When/if she gets back to Alaska - there is going to be hell to pay.
Her approval ratings have to do with her rhetoric - everyone here in Alaska is still waiting for the results.
September 2, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here in Alaska she totally evaded running on the "Jesus Ticket", she would not have won the election if she had played it OR looked like Janet Reno.
I'm disgusted that she is being put forth to appease the religious extremists and obviously hasn't had any sway in getting McCain to change his position on ANWR.
When/if she gets back to Alaska - there is going to be hell to pay.
Her approval ratings have to do with her rhetoric - everyone here in Alaska is still waiting for the results.
September 2, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody has to stop! Please stop! I can't take it anymore. My sides are already killing me from laughing. It's like SNL back in the early days. I keep waiting for Emily to say "Never mind" as Jane and Chevy deliver more of this bizarre news.
September 2, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/unsurprised.html
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Unsurprised
"No Surprises From Palin, McCain Team Says"-Washington Post
Senior McCain officials described themselves as "unsurprised" today as huge storms of locusts flew from Wasilla, Alaska and descended upon McCain campaign headquarters. "Locusts were vetted. Locusts were vetted in the vet" said one campaign official, who spoke without attribution out of concern that he would be devoured by a verminous flying cloud. The campaign also said that they were nonplussed by reports that the rivers were running black with ashes, that family pets were begin to speak in human voices, declaiming "Release Sarah!", and that a huge spreading stain was beginning to blot out the Northern sun. "Vetted" said the campaign.
"There are exciting new studies that show that locusts can be used as a source of biodegradable fuel" said Newt Gingrich, as he hunkered down to avoid the black marble obelisks falling from the sky around him. "Palin, if she can be said to have played a role in bringing about these new biofuel resources, should be praised for her innovative role in the solution to our future energy demands".
"These events firmly demonstrate Palin's deep connection to traditional modes of traditional expression, in traditional forms, traditionally." said William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard. "Experience, in the face of these more traditional events, is overrated..." continued Kristol, before ending the interview to wrap himself head-to-toe in mosquito netting and swallowing a bitter tasting anti-malarial drug, the taste of which, as his lips contorted, he noted to be "surprisingly refreshing."
Palin's schedule in the upcoming days of the Republican National Convention has been cut short due to, as one McCain communications aide reported, a desire not to "let the magic out of the bottle too quickly." "Sarah is a precious resource, who each moment brings a new vitality and energy to every worker on the campaign" said the aide, while fighting to remove the nest of serpents which had suddenly materialized on the floor beneath him, and were now slowly ascending his legs. "Do these bite, or just slink?" asked the aide, who spoke on conditions of anonymity so as not to provoke or otherwise alienate the reptiles.
Meanwhile, as the heavens darkened, the seas began to boil, and a voice tore through the clouds shouting, in deep, stentorian tones to one and all: "It was a Mistake!", campaign offices described themselves as "unperturbed". "Serpents materializing, house pets suddenly called to vocal advocacy, Celestial callings to revise and repent...Vetted" said the spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was turning into a pillar of salt. "Everything that was vetted was vetted in the vet."
Cite:
Head of State:
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/unsurprised.html
September 2, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
DIGG this story, which adds the critical Abramoff connection that the Post story misses.
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/More_of_the_McSame
September 2, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
You didn't mention that one of Silver's partners in the law firm Robertson Monagle (sic) and Eastaugh was one James Clark, the recently convicted Chief of Staff of former Governor of Alaska & US Senator Frank Murkowski. Clark recruited Silver when Silver left Ted's office.
September 2, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow!!! This lady has done a lot of damage in a short period of time. Give her four or eight years and we would all be holding signs saying "I work for food."
September 2, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not watching this on MSM, as Stewart and Colbert are my other news sources. However, is Lou Dobbs (whom I cannot stand) going to do a series on this? If he does, I may actually watch it. Not enough people take Olbermann seriously. If that does not get rid of Palin, what will?
Back to my fundraiser prep for Obama.
September 2, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
At this rate, what will the chant be from the convention floor on the fourth night? "McCain for President" of "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry . . . "?
September 2, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
follow the money..
like an ant trail leading up to a great big ant's nest full of people raking in the money...
your taxpayers money..
watch that lady, because she has many connections to oil companys..veco oil..or yea..plus ted stevens, and dick cheney was linked in there along with ted stevens also.
click on cheneys name on tpm..
see the links to cheney..
connect the dots...and the $$ (dollar) signs..
follow the money..
like grandkids used to say,
($$ka-ching$$)
September 2, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just exactly when did all of us cross over into this alternate reality? I've got to admit that I've been laughing more since Thursday night's high than I have during the last 8 years.
A whole lot of chickens have come back to roost and I'm so psyched that I don't think I've slept since last Wednesday night.
September 2, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
President Regan used the term "Welfare Queen". Can we now use the term "Earmark Queen"?
September 7, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
UM - I guess it is just a coincidence that Alaskans just had to vote down the formation of a "gaming" commission in August?
September 11, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink