Indian Affairs panel hears 'tale of betrayal.'

The following comes from today's The Hill:

Embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff was an avatar of greed and contempt who betrayed his friends and associates, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) asserted yesterday.

McCain, presiding over the third of four scheduled hearings by the Indian Affairs Committee on Abramoff’s questionable business dealings with Indian tribes involved with gambling, turned the spotlight on Abramoff client the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, which he represented from 1995 to 2004.

“Today’s hearing is about more than contempt, even more than greed,” McCain said. “It is simple and sadly a tale of betrayal.”

Although many observers had expected this hearing to focus on the Choctaws’ payments to prominent conservative groups, including Americans for Tax Reform and a company led by Christian conservative activist Ralph Reed, McCain instead steered toward less politically sensitive targets.

Fellow Republicans have expressed displeasure with McCain’s investigation, suggesting that he may be using the probe to strike back at conservative political foes.