ICYMI: Rep. Waxman Says Ralph Reed Fundraiser Shows McCain a 'Reformer No More'

On a conference call to discuss John McCain's decision to raise campaign cash with scandal-plagued Republican activist Ralph Reed, Representative Henry Waxman said McCain's refusal to cancel the fundraiser shows that he is a "reformer no more." Waxman, who chaired the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform investigation into the scandal surrounding criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff said McCain knows the degree to which Reed was involved in the scandal and should cancel the fundraiser scheduled for Monday.

"John McCain's decision to raise money from one of the key figures in the Jack Abramoff scandal - one of Abramoff's conspirators in a money laundering scheme - is a very disappointing example of John McCain abandoning his principles on the campaign trail. He claimed to be a reformer? Well, reformer no more," said Congressman Waxman.

Earlier this week, news reports revealed that Reed, one of Abramoff's closest business associates, emailed supporters to say that he had joined McCain's Victory 2008 and asked people to contribute to the McCain campaign. While McCain brags about investigating Abramoff on the campaign trail, McCain is refusing to cancel a fundraiser in Atlanta despite Reed's shady ties to Abramoff and despite calls from independent watchdog groups.

"So deep was Ralph Reed involved in Jack Abramoff's schemes to bilk his clients and advance gambling interests - so caught up in the Washington culture of corruption was Ralph Reed that he lost a party primary in Georgia for Lieutenant Governor in 2006. But even after all that disgrace, after all that controversy - after the reports of tainted money - John McCain is depending on Ralph Reed of all people to fill his campaign coffers," said Waxman.

"Raising money with Ralph Reed shows that the John McCain who ran in 2000 would have a hard time considering voting for the John McCain we see today. Senator McCain has changed. He's taking advice from Karl Rove and Karl Rove's minions - and now he's adopting Karl Rove and Dick Cheney anything goes style of low road politics. The John McCain who used to go out and try to root out this sort of corruption is now appearing to me to be a desperate candidate who will say anything and raise money anywhere with absolutely anyone to pay for a lot of the false and negative ads that we have seen."

To listen to the full call, click here: http://www.democrats.org/page/-/audio/calls/081508__Waxman%20call%20on%20Ralph%20Reed.mp3