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Author Jack Abramoff discusses how the consulting fees will impact the former Speaker’s chances in 2012.
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-- Newt Gingrich may be running hot on the campaign trail but he still taking flack for the huge consulting fees he took from Freddie back -- -- -- Jack Abramoff the former.
Super lobbyist and a boy that sort of super lobbyist jailed for corruption and the author of the book.
Capital punishment thanks joining us again Jack so you wanted to -- Newt Gingrich specifically.
What about -- is bothering him.
Well I I think Newt is part of a problem -- I don't wanna focus it -- -- -- I think what's going on this kind of us same.
Corrupt atmosphere over -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and it's coming out.
That they're shoveling money out the door to consultants and unfortunately and it seems to be one of them who -- dotted.
And is -- very of Rahm Emanuel apparently also and it's the kind of thing hit that I write about in the book.
At that people are upset about in this country they don't wanna see their politicians getting filthy rich.
On their backs OK projected at the time he wasn't a politician right he's running a consulting firm.
Right I think I think that people are -- that -- former politicians people who are cashing in on their public service and their image and again Newt isn't the only one.
It's a culture that goes on appear and do you know essence everybody's doing it.
That's the problem it's legal and I don't think anybody saying that he did anything illegal or that any of them who did it did anything illegal.
But the fact that it is it hit that it is legal I think is what needs to be focused on -- Notice said it's clearly consulting fees says -- he consulted on and how how they should run their business.
Tell -- the difference between a consultant and a lobby.
Well I think there is some different certainly in the sense -- -- is going to go up to Capitol Hill and have the meetings.
With the congressman and with the senators and their staff.
But what people miss is that that's only part of the story a lobbying effort doesn't just include the face to face meetings.
Frankly I was I guess considered a top lobbyist I rarely went up to the hill met with congressman senators and staff I -- people work for me who did.
But I was part of an overall strategic effort and that is exactly what some of the folks who come off the hill.
Said that they're not lobbying their only providing strategic -- history lessons or wherever it is in the case of Newt.
That's part of an overall public affairs effort.
That is an essence were splitting hairs in terms of saying that -- it's not lobbying -- not lobbying but it's not necessarily something people think it's appropriate us.
The subject do you find what you had you know it had done in the past with Fannie Freddie may be even a couple health care companies do you find that.
A problem for a GOP.
Candidate once.
-- run for president.
Well I mean I guess this is certainly not up to me whether it's a problem by.
One is looking at symptoms of the Washington -- -- that's one of them that that people are involved in cashing in on their public service Newt.
Was hired as all of these guys are hard because of who they were -- the positions they were in.
It wasn't because he was a history professor him at Georgia.
It was because of some of the vacuum speaker of the house and I think that again and be in order to get rid of the atmosphere around this town.
Where people are cashing in on the government service and people are using special favors and you know helping special interest.
We have their -- all these things and so I think it is a problem -- something he'll have to deal with and perhaps he'll be able to.
Right now and it has said it campaign has come on in in addressed that your your you know coming out against near enough for some of things in the past.
He says quote.
Criticism from criminals is quite -- compliment.
You care to to react to that.
Now I actually think their comments about -- kind of funny the the first comment that the same sorts I had both size and he's still in jail.
I mean I guess -- have to criticizing Iran I think they're kind of funny comments that obviously doesn't address the issue.
You know -- appropriate -- me.
Is maybe humorous and but it's irrelevant I'm I'm not in this fight I'm not running for congress -- running for the White House he has.
He needs to address this matter and he needs probably come out I think if I were new -- come -- with a bold.
Ethics in government approach and it -- that there is an issue here.
And they -- -- it use it to his advantage and come out strong all right check -- -- a book is called capital punishment thanks for joining us again.
A follow the money Jack thanks there aren't coming up go ahead.
