Quote: GOP lawmakers: Bush should disclose Abramoff contacts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican lawmakers said Sunday that President Bush should publicly disclose White House contacts with Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who has pleaded guilty to felony charges in an influence-peddling case.
Releasing the records would help eliminate suspicions that Abramoff, a top fundraiser for Bush's re-election campaign, had undue influence on the White House, the Republicans said.
"I'm one who believes that more is better, in terms of disclosure and transparency," said Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota. "And so I'd be a big advocate for making records that are out there available."
The president has refused to reveal how much access Abramoff had to the White House, but has said he does not know Abramoff personally. Bush has said federal prosecutors are welcome to see the records of Abramoff's contacts if they suspect something inappropriate, but he has not released them publicly.
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, who appeared with Thune on "Fox News Sunday,", said all White House correspondence, phone calls and meetings with Abramoff "absolutely" should be released. ...
CNN I guess the GOP has smelled the political wind on this one. Hope Bush sticks to his guns & holds on to all his Jack Abramoff memorabilia
