White House Shifts Away from Wolfowitz
For the first time since Paul Wolfowitz’s employment imbroglio with Shaha Riza, the White House has shown signs of something other than unquestioned support itself from its former Deputy Secretary of Defense. The New York Times reports that Bush would be willing to have Wolfowitz resign voluntarily if the bank board dropped its drive to declare him unfit to remain in office. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that the World Bank Board is still deliberating what action to take against Wolfowitz.
Gonzales Throws McNulty Under the Bus
“During an event this morning at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Alberto Gonzales launched an unabashed and shameless finger-pointing campaign at outgoing Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, blaming him for the U.S. attorney scandal. When asked why two inexperienced staffers â Sampson and Monica Goodling â were given prominent roles in the firing process, Gonzales responded, ‘Well again you have to remember at the end of the day, the recommendations reflected the views of the Deputy Attorney General. He signed off on the names and he would know better than anyone else.'” (Think Progress)
Detainee Says He Was Tortured at Guantanamo
“A Pakistani citizen who grew up in suburban Baltimore, where his father still lives, told a U.S. military hearing last month that he was tortured at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after he was transferred there from secret CIA custody, according to a transcript released by the Pentagon Tuesday. Majid Khan, who denied he had ever been a member of al-Qaida, said he was so upset by his treatment at Guantanamo that he twice tried to commit suicide by gnawing through arteries in his arm, according to the transcript.” (McClatchy Newspapers)
Dems Revive ’06 Ethics Bill
“House Democratic leaders have decided to use their Honest Leadership and Open Government legislation from the 109th Congress as the basis for the lobbying reform bill that the House Judiciary Committee is expected to mark up this week. By doing so, the leaders are on a trajectory to meet key demands made by left-leaning advocacy groups favoring strong reform. But that course has sparked strong opposition from rank-and-file members of their caucus.” (The Hill)
Jefferson Challenges Legality of FBI Raid
“Rep. William Jefferson’s attorney told federal judges Tuesday that last year’s FBI raid on the congressman’s office had grave implications for the independence of the legislative branch, and he asked the court to declare the search unconstitutional. Jefferson, D-(LA), says the Justice Department crossed the line when it raided his office in a bribery investigation. His lawyer argued that point before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.” (Associated Press)
McHenry Attacks Prosecutor Who Supported His Campaign as Politically Motivated
“CBS News recently reported that a campaign aide to Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) had been indicted on charges of voter fraud. Since news of the indictment broke, McHenry and his supporters have attempted to spin the charges, claiming they are the work of a âpolitically motivatedâ district attorney on a partisan witch-hunt. It is a difficult argument to swallow; the district attorney, Locke Bell, a Republican, is a political supporter of McHenryâs.” (Think Progress)
Bush Nominee to Get Payment From Old Job
“A senior lobbyist at the National Association of Manufacturers nominated by President Bush to lead the Consumer Product Safety Commission will receive a $150,000 departing payment from the association when he takes his new government job, which involves enforcing consumer laws against members of the association. Mr. Baroody said in the letter that the payment would not prevent him from considering matters involving individual companies that are members of the manufacturersâ association, many of whom are defendants in agency proceedings over defective products or have other business before the commission.” (NY Times)
Abramoff Scandal Leads to Feeney Advancement
“Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff may yet help the political fortunes of Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL). The Oviedo Republican said today he would take over as GOP leader on the space subcommittee, part of the overall House science committee, because the previous GOP leader, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), left his “ranking member” post to fill a vacant seat on the appropriations committee.” (Orlando Sentinel)
Bushies Behaving Badly
“Having a hard time keeping track of all 10,000 GOP scandals? Click here for an interactive feature on the recent scandals of the Republican party.” (Slate)
