McCAIN LOSES A MEMBER OF HIS LEADERSHIP TEAM: REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN RICK RENZI INDICTED ON 35 CRIMINAL COUNTS

Wave bye-bye, boys

Though certainly not for the first time-- and, I assure you, not for the last-- it was only yesterday that I was asking why the dozens of Republican senators and congressman who were taking bribes from convicted lobbyists, contractors, war profiteers, and money-grubbers like Jack Abramoff and Brent Wilkes are still roaming around free. Reuters just reported that one of them soon won't be.

A federal grand jury has indicted Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi of Arizona on 35 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and official extortion, according to court papers unsealed on Friday.

The indictment stems from plan by Renzi and an associate to benefit from a land-exchange plan in order to receive Renzi's support for necessary federal legislation, court documents said.
"It was an object of the conspiracy for Renzi to enrich (his associate) and personally benefit himself," the indictment said.
It also accuses Renzi of embezzling premiums from clients of an insurance business to fund his congressional campaign.

Renzi is a close ally of McCain's, of course-- birds of a feather-- and is part of the McCain campaign leadership team. As soon as the long-anticipated indictment was handed down, McCain immediately took down the website page that mentions Renzi being on the team. Aren't you glad we saved it for you? Between Renzi and Shadegg, the Arizona GOP is starting to fray very badly around the edges. Does this mean we're going to have another special election? Keep in mind, please, that Blue America has endorsed grassroots progressive Howard Shanker for Renzi's seat. (Insider Democrats have some hack politician with no policy positions they're working hard to slip into the nomination.)

No statement yet from McCain about how he feels about his campaign's co-chairman being indicted-- especially in light of all the ethics discussion swirling around McCain himself. Will he throw his old bud under the bus. It seems like only yesterday when McCain was claiming it was safe enough to stroll around Baghdad's neighborhoods and when he was mocked and dismissed as a clown he gathered up some of his most loyal hacks-- and several hundred heavily armed U.S. troopers with attack helicopters hovering-- and made a quickie PR trip to a market (later blown up). This picture shows McCain lying about how safe Baghdad is, from the safety of the heavily fortified Green Zone, with Mike Pence (R-IN) and Renzi looking on. Lindsey Graham, also on the trip was unavailable for the photo op since he was out haggling of some Iraqi carpets he later bought.


UPDATE: STATEMENT FROM HOWARD SHANKER ON THE RENZI INDICTMENT

Today, the announcement was made that Republican Representative Rick Renzi has been indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering, and other charges. It is unfortunate that Mr. Renzi has had to go through this protracted criminal investigation culminating to date in his federal indictment. It is, however, even more unfortunate that the people of Congressional District 1 have had to live in the shadow of Mr. Renzi’s asserted dirty dealings for so long. Mr. Renzi, who previously withdrew from his committee assignments, has not been focused on helping his constituents, our Congressional District, or our Country, for almost a year. It is unfortunate that we can hold so little faith or trust in our elected representatives. It is time to fix this problem. It is time for Mr. Renzi to step down, so that his seat can be filled by a public servant who is dedicated to the honest and effective representation of the people of Congressional District 1 and this great Nation. We need to reintroduce the concepts of fiscal restraint, accountability, sustainability, respect, and common sense to a governing body that seems to have lost its way. I bear no ill will toward Mr. Renzi. It is, however, time for Mr. Renzi to pass the mantle of leadership and justice to a stronger and more capable arm.