Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), dead man running.
Ney might think that he’s master of his own destiny, but Republican leaders have been somewhat, er, equivocal in their support of late. And it may just be a matter of time before he goes the way of Tom DeLay. Let the nudging begin!
The ultimate decision might be up to Ney but that doesn’t mean GOP leaders aren’t actively considering the possibility that he will be indicted and that they may need to push him out the door.
Several leadership sources said that no one in the leadership has approached Ney yet, although they are paying close attention to the situation.
“This is really up to [Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)],” said a senior Republican aide. “He’s a member of the Ohio delegation, and it would be on him to go to Ney if anyone does.”
The aide expected that Hastert and Boehner would “hold some discussions” regarding Ney, possibly as early as Tuesday, although it was unclear if and when any member of the GOP hierarchy will raise this issue directly with Ney.
That hesitation could disappear quickly if Ney was indicted and his campaign appeared to be unwinnable.
“If the Democrats are going to use the indictment against him, and his polling numbers plummet, and we’re in danger of losing the seat, then he should absolutely step down for the good of the party,” said a Republican leadership aide, who cautioned that the situation would have to deteriorate significantly before that would occur.
Ney spokesman Brian Walsh said his boss is “not going to engage in hypotheticals” about what he would do if he were indicted.
“Nine Fingers” and the Third Man
Brant “Nine Fingers” Bassett’s role in the broader story may be more involved. Two former CIA officers told me that Dusty Foggo, Bassett, and a third man — a CIA official close to Goss, whose name I learned but am withholding because he remains undercover — have been friends for years and worked together overseas. According to these two sources, Bassett and the undercover officer (whom Goss brought up to the 7th Floor at Langley when he took over the CIA) positioned Foggo to be picked by Goss for the number-three slot. (Harper’s, See this rundown on “Nine Fingers” at ThinkProgress)
Bolten Said to Push Goss’s Exit
The newest narrative behind Porter Goss’s sudden exit: Intelligence insiders say that former CIA Director Porter Goss was given less than a day to pack his bags by new White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, who is moving swiftly to put a new and more aggressive face on the administration. (U.S. News)
Democrats’ Own Ethics Trouble ‘Dulls the Message’
For the past year, Democrats have been jockeying for the high ground on congressional ethics, hoping a largely Republican lobbying scandal would help propel them into the majority come November’s elections. But the issue is proving to be a two-edged sword, as Democrats themselves have come under scrutiny for allegations of bribery and conflicts of interest. (USA Today)
With DeLay Gone, Dems Free To Ride K Street Gravy Train
As the GOP hold on Congressional power diminishes, lobby firms are hiring more Democrats, hedging their bets against a November revolution. (The Hill)
HUD Official in Hot Water over ‘Story’
You may have caught the explosion yesterday over HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson – he reportedly told a business group in Dallas that he rejected a government contract with an advertiser because the man told him he didn’t like President Bush. Now his spokeswoman says that Jackson made that conversation up: “The secretary’s story was anecdotal. He is not part of the contracting process,” said HUD spokeswoman Dustee Tucker. “He was trying to explain to this group how politics works in D.C.” (AP)
House Ethics Panel Grinds Into Action
The long-dormant ethics committee is stirring — 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans have been named to serve on panels to investigate charges against lawmakers. (Roll Call)
Boehner Says He Noticed Kennedy’s Problems
During a briefing with reporters yesterday, Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said he was aware of Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s (D-R.I.) substance-abuse problem and had “noticed it before.” He didn’t give an example, however. (The Hill)
E-Mails Show Brown Disputed Levee Breach
Former FEMA director Michael Brown disputed that floodwaters had breached New Orleans’ levees in the early hours after Hurricane Katrina roared ashore, new e-mails released Tuesday show. (AP)
Patrick Kennedy and the Cruelty of Fame
“It’s hard to imagine that Patrick Kennedy would have gotten elected to Congress a dozen years ago without his last name,” writes WPost’s Howie Kurtz. “It’s equally hard to imagine that the media would be going wild about his late-night car crash and prescription drug addiction if he weren’t a Kennedy.” (WPost)
Bush, Others Ditch Donations from Lobbyist
There was another round of charitable giving after a guilty plea, this one Neil Volz’s. He gave $26,035 to Republican political campaigns and committees since 2002 – some politicians have donated the money (Bush, Ney), some have staunchly refused, Majority Leader John Boehner who’s keeping his $300. (AP)
