Abramamoff? Never Heard Of The Guy.

A new Time magazine article on the President's relationship with Tom Delay has some odd revelations, all of which paint a picture of a White House very desperate to distance itself from the disgraced Congressman and their mutual friend, Jack Abramoff. Let the whitewashing begin.

First, the imperial White House looks down on its loyal Hammer-

Even before DeLay's announcement that he would abdicate his leadership post, top Bush advisers tell TIME, the President's inner circle always treated DeLay as a necessary burden. He may have had an unmatched grip on the House and Washington lobbyists, but DeLay is not the kind of guy—in background and temperament—the President feels comfortable with. Of the former exterminator, a Republican close to the President's inner circle says, "They have always seen him as beneath them, more blue collar. He's seen as a useful servant, not someone you would want to vacation with."

Yes, because Mr. "Clearing Brush" President is oh so classy.

Second, the White House rushes to hide its history with Jack Abramoff-

Bracing for the worst, Administration officials obtained from the Secret Service a list of all the times Abramoff entered the White House complex, and they scrambled to determine the reason for each visit. Bush aides are also trying to identify all the photos that may exist of the two men together. Abramoff attended Hanukkah and holiday events at the White House, according to an aide who has seen the list. Press secretary Scott McClellan said Abramoff might have attended large gatherings with Bush but added, "The President does not know him, nor does the President recall ever meeting him."

Aww, Scott, you're so cute!

USA Today has more on Abramoff's relationship with the White House:
Controversial lobbyist had close contact with Bush team

[PS- TruthDig has a good compilation of Abramoff-related resources/articles.]