BLITZER: Should Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, who has now pleaded guilty to bribery charges, among other charges, a Republican lobbyist in Washington, should the Democrat who took money from him give that money to charity or give it back?
DEAN: There are no Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, not one, not one single Democrat. Every person named in this scandal is a Republican. Every person under investigation is a Republican. Every person indicted is a Republican. This is a Republican finance scandal. There is no evidence that Jack Abramoff ever gave any Democrat any money. And we've looked through all of those FEC reports to make sure that's true.
BLITZER: But through various Abramoff-related organizations and outfits, a bunch of Democrats did take money that presumably originated with Jack Abramoff.
DEAN: That's not true either. There's no evidence for that either. There is no evidence...
BLITZER: What about Senator Byron Dorgan?
DEAN: Senator Byron Dorgan and some others took money from Indian tribes. They're not agents of Jack Abramoff. There's no evidence that I've seen that Jack Abramoff directed any contributions to Democrats. I know the Republican National Committee would like to get the Democrats involved in this. They're scared. They should be scared. They haven't told the truth. They have misled the American people. And now it appears they're stealing from Indian tribes. The Democrats are not involved in this.
BLITZER: Unfortunately Mr. Chairman, we got to leave it right there. Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, always speaking out bluntly, candidly. Appreciate your joining us on "Late Edition."
DEAN: Thanks, Wolf. Safe flight back.
BLITZER: Thank you very much.
I am still a little confused as to whether there any Democrats who might be caught up in the Abramoff scandal. I must say that Howard Dean seems totally convinced of the Democrats innocence. I hope that he proves to be correct. It won't look good if he has his facts wrong.
All the Democrats- small list compared to the Repugs, took money from what they thought were Indian Interests or nonprofits......( they were also much smaller amounts)..gee I guess Wolf would not want to discuss the 100,000 Bush Abramhoff Campaign funds.....Wolf better stop drinking the Koolaid...gee, wonder if he has talked with Christine Amanpour about being tapped..that would sure change the taste of the koolaid...
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