Why Mel Martinez Is Out

Senator Mel Martinez announced he will not seek a second term. That is not surprising. Martinez has had trouble funraising because of scrutiny into his campaign contributions. Jack Abramoff set up a meeting between Martinez and Bob "Freedom Fries" Ney. The meeting took place when Martinez was Se. of HUD.

Ney told Martinez that his "number one priority as the newly installed Chairman of the Housing Subcommittee was Native American Indian Tribal housing," according to the plea.

What makes matters worse is Martinez received $250 thousand from an Abramoff funraiser. Ney told the FBI about the meeting.

On repeated occasions in 2002 and 2003, NEY contacted personal in the Executive Branch agencies and offices in an effort to influence decisions of those agencies and offices at the request of Abramoff and his lobbyists, including advancing the interests of Abramoff's Indian Tribal clients to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") in a meeting in or about January 2003, when NEY told the HUB Secretary that NEY's number one priority as the newly installed Chairman of the Housing Subcommittee was Native American Tribal housing.

Ney pleaded guilty taking influence peddling. Abramoff gave Ney expensive meals, vacation trips and even casino gambling chips. Martinez's Bush connection is politically crippling. The Ney and Abramoff are a death blow.

Tom Feeney Now Sorry About Golfing In Scotland

Tom Feeney was recently interviewed by the FBI about his visit to Royal & Ancient Golf Club. Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff paid for the trip. Feeney's office put out this press release.

"Rep. Feeney considers this an embarrassing episode in his 17-year career as an elected official and an expensive lesson for him as a public servant," according to the statement.

That is rather humble of Feeney. He was publicly flaunting his relationship with Abramoff after the lobbyist became a lightning rod for controversy. Feeney kept dining at Abramoff's restaurant Signatures.

Feeney had to pay the U.S. Treasury $5,643 for his Scotland golf trip. The entire trip cost over $160,000. Abramoff spent tons of cash to make Feeney feel comfortable.

The other two Congressmen who Abramoff has taken to golf in Scotland are Tom Delay and Bob Ney. Delay has been indicted. Ney has been convicted of corruption charges stemming from in relationship with Abramoff.