As Documentary Premieres at Sundance, New Website Reveals Congressman Blunt and Jack Abramoff Connection

Go Behind the Scenes with Two of the Biggest Players in Washington’s Shell Game of Corruption, Insider Deals and Pay To Play Politics

St. Louis, MO – Today the St. Louis Democratic Party revealed a new Web site at www.BluntAndAbramoff.com to expose the connections between Congressman Roy Blunt and lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff who was the focus of a new documentary that premiered this past weekend at the Sundance Film Festival. (link )  Abramoff was sentenced to prison for conspiring to corrupt numerous public officials with gifts, meals, trips and campaign donations in what became one of the most infamous corruption scandals in history.

“During his 13 years in Washington, Congressman Blunt has become the ultimate Washington insider by wheeling and dealing with individuals like disgraced Majority Leader Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX) and lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff,” said Jack Coatar, Executive Director of the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee.  “Finally Missourians can see the clear connections between Congressman Blunt and the Washington insiders like Jack Abramoff who led our country down the wrong path through backdoor special deals, out of control spending and failure to hold Wall street accountable.”

Visit www.BluntAndAbramoff.com to see more about the Blunt/Abramoff world of Washington insider deals.

Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine’s Statement on the Senate’s Vote to Proceed to Full Floor Debate of Health Insurance Reform Legislation

Washington – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after the Senate voted to begin full debate of health insurance reform legislation.

“Today, the Senate took another historic step on the road to enacting health insurance reform. By clearing this first procedural hurdle, senators will now have an opportunity to debate the health reform bill on the Senate floor and continue to make progress on delivering health insurance reform to the American people.  I want to extend my congratulations to Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Dick Durbin for their tenacity in bringing the bill to the floor, and thank countless other senators for their commitment to reform as the Senate begins this historic debate.

“While unfortunate, it’s not terribly surprising that no Republicans voted in favor of the motion to proceed. Defenders of the status quo have been working to derail reform for months – unfortunately, their obstructionist, just-say-no tactics represent more of the same. No matter. We know that there are some members of the Republican Party who understand the urgent need for health insurance reform and we remain hopeful that we can continue to work with those members to find common ground on this historic effort to pass health insurance reform that provides greater security and stability to Americans who have insurance and more quality affordable options to those who don’t.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act would bring down the skyrocketing costs of care for American families, businesses and our government, and reduce the national deficit $130 billion by 2019.

“We’ve been trying to reform our broken system since Harry Truman was president — now, we’re in the home stretch. This time, President Obama and Congressional Democrats will deliver health insurance reform to the American people.”

For Immediate Release:                         November 16, 2009

Contact:                                                        Ryan Hobart    (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125

Blunt visits Missouri to talk about his close ties to big oil and insurance special interests

Jefferson City, Mo – Congressman Roy Blunt spent last week visiting Missouri and defending his record of backing big oil and insurance special interests, and he was even confronted by fellow Republicans about the wasteful spending that has happened during his time in Washington.

Here are some of the highlights:

• In an interview with KSPR in Springfield, Congressman Blunt repeatedly said “I don’t know” when he was asked if it was true that he had taken more than $1million in big oil and energy special interests’ money during his time in Congress. However, according to an article in the Springfield News Leader, Blunt has take $1,012,398 from energy and natural resources interests since 1996.

• At a meeting of the West County Republicans in St. Louis, Congressman Blunt underwent what the St. Louis Beacon described as an “aggressive grilling” from fellow Republicans because of spending during his years in congress and his support for the Wall Street bank bailout and Medicare Part D. View video footage from the meeting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFn9JnOw1wQ

• On Friday, while in Fulton, Congressman Blunt said he would side with insurance companies to help them continue to limit access to health care for those with pre-existing conditions and drive up the costs for Missouri families [AP, 11/13/09].

• And on Saturday at a “Campaign for Liberty” conference in Sedalia, his primary opponent, Senator Chuck Purgason, railed against the Republican Party establishment, saying they have lost their way and condemning Congressman Blunt and his fellow Republican Congressional leadership as responsible for creating the huge deficit our country now faces.

“Congressman Blunt is beginning to find that his Washington record of support for unprecedented spending and perks for big oil and insurance special interests doesn’t sit too well with Missourians,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Brian Zuzenak. “People are not looking for more of the same old Washington insider deal-making that Congressman Blunt symbolizes, and he will have to continue to answer for his record when he visits Missouri.”
Congressman Blunt, Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly are competing in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for US Senate

Limited seating for this event, held at Mehlville High School. RSVPs needed. Find out how to attend this special event via this link.