Numerous photographs have surfaced showing President Bush in the company of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. President Bush had denied meeting Abramoff but the photographs show that the president certainly has met the man responsible for the latest lobbying scandal in Washington.
Still, those close to the president continued to try to keep distance between Mr. Bush and Mr. Abramoff.
He doesn't have a personal relationship with him,' White House counselor Dan Bartlett claimed.
'We acknowledge he (Abramoff) attended some Hanukkah celebrations,' Bartlett said on NBC's 'Today' show. 'Any suggestions by critics or anyone else to suggest the president is doing something nefarious with Abramoff is absurd.'
Still, multiple media sources including 'Time' magazine have shown at least a half-dozen photos showing the president with Abramoff.
Abramoff was also named a Bush 'pioneer' for raising more than $100,000 for the president's re-election campaign in 2004.
Since Mr. Abramoff pled guilty to using improper lobbying tactics and has announced he is cooperating with federal prosecutors, the White House has made a concerted effort to distance itself from Abramoff.
'Mr. Abramoff admitted being involved in outrageous wrongdoing,' White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Sunday.
While Abramoff's guilty plea has hurt the Republican party's reputation, the White House is trying to make sure the damage stays far away from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
