UPDATE III: I've taken off the "Unrecommend" plea at Cedwyn's bidding. Makes sense to keep ThinkProgress's good work up and spreading around.
This is so huge it's hard to see it. And I've only seen it one place so far. ThinkProgress has seen emails from Abramoff to the editor of the
Washingtonian, Kim Eisler.
EXCLUSIVE EMAILS: Jack Abramoff Describes Relationship With President Bush
ThinkProgress has obtained emails written by Jack Abramoff in which the fallen lobbyist personally describes his relationship with President Bush. They depict a relationship far more extensive than has been previously reported.
The emails written by Abramoff were addressed to Kim Eisler, the national editor of Washingtonian magazine.
More lies below.
In the emails, Abramoff describes meeting Bush "in almost a dozen settings," and details how he was personally invited to President Bush's private ranch in Crawford, Texas, for a gathering of Bush fundraisers in 2003. Abramoff did not attend, citing a religious observance.
Abramoff emailed Eisler about his invitation to Crawford and his decision not to attend:
NO, IT WAS THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD TO TRAVEL ON SATURDAY (SHABBOS). YES, I WAS INVITED, DURING THE 2004 CAMPAIGN. IT WAS SATURDAY AUGUST 9, 2003 AT THE RANCH IN CRAWFORD.
The White House has continually downplayed the relationship between Abramoff and President Bush. At a January 26 press conference, President Bush said "You know, I, frankly, don't even remember having my picture taken with the guy. I don't know him."
But according to Eisler, Abramoff told him that the two have met almost a dozen times, shared jokes, and spoke about details of Abramoff's family:
HE HAS ONE OF THE BEST MEMORIES OF ANY POLITICIAN I HAVE EVER MET. IT WAS ONE IF [sic] HIS TRADEMARKS, THOUGH OF COURSE HE CAN'T RECALL THAT HE HAS A GREAT MEMORY! THE GUY SAW ME IN ALMOST A DOZEN SETTINGS, AND JOKED WITH ME ABOUT A BUNCH OF THINGS, INCLUDING DETAILS OF MY KIDS. PERHAPS HE HAS FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING. WHO KNOWS.
Updates coming, hopefully.
UPDATE: Here's a link to Indianz.com with just a little info, most of it fairly well known, on Kim Eisler (why does she he get all the love?) and the Abe/Bush connection.
UPDATE II: Guess where Bush went after that fundraiser? To another one with Randy "Duke" Cunnigham in San Diego on August 14, 2003.
Via WhitHouseForSale.org, a whole list of fundrasiers for the 2004 campaign.
August 14, 2003 - San Diego, CA
Headliner: George W. Bush?Also appearing: Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham; California GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim; Ranger Brad Freeman?Special attraction: See the president just miles from where he made his “Top Gun” landing on an aircraft carrier.
Bottom line: $1 million
I bet he doesn't remember meeting with the Dukestir either.
Bottom line: $1 million