More Trouble With Harry

How was it Nancy Pelosi put it? Something about Democrats planning "to lead the most honest, the most open and the most ethical Congress in history."

Never mind that her pick for Majority Leader has ethical woes that date back decades.  Now comes information that among Jack Abramoff's recently implicated Senators in the ongoing DOJ investigation was rising Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

A source close to the investigation says Abramoff told prosecutors that more than $30,000 in campaign contributions to Reid from Abramoff's clients "were no accident and were in fact requested by Reid."
...
The AP also reported that Abramoff's billing records showed extensive contact with Reid's office over a three-year period in which Reid collected more than $68,000 from Abramoff's firm, partners and clients.

It was just last month that a shady, improperly disclosed land deal that netted Senator Reid more than a million big'uns bubbled to the surface.

As for the scope of the new Abramoff testimony, Harry's not alone in the crosshairs.

Sources close to the federal investigation say Abramoff has offered testimony about his contacts with "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators" and an ever larger number of Republican members of Congress.

8 Senators would suggest 18% of the current Democratic delegation (assuming they're all sitting members).  Off to a superlatively honest, open, and ethical start, Nan.  You haven't even assumed the majority yet, for cripes sake.

Save a little scandal for game time.

Not to jump the gun, it's worth noting that Reid has been neither indicted nor convicted of any wrong doing.  Still, given his looming preeminence in our federal government, I'm reminded of Reid's own words lobbed at President Bush back in January.  From a letter to the White House published on Senator Reid's website:

The Justice Department is currently investigating the web of corruption surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Even at this early stage of the investigation, there is reason to believe that Mr. Abramoff may have had undue and improper influence within your Administration. There is no reason to wait for indictments or convictions before the American people learn of the role Mr. Abramoff played in the Bush White House.

What do you say, Harry?  In the name of openness, honesty, and ethics (not to mention consistency), surely you must now feel compelled to provide a similar accounting.

Hat Tip:  Hot Air
Elsewhere:  Stop the ACLU, Wizbang!, Dread Pundit Bluto