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The Congressional Spectator
Behind Closed Doors
(Page 2 of 2)
Ironically, as Byron York of the Washington Examiner has reported, publicity about scandals at AmeriCorps -- especially the taxpayer money misspent by a charity founded by former NBA star Kevin Johnson, an Obama ally who is now the Democratic mayor of Sacramento -- was exactly what the administration had hoped to squelch by firing Walpin.
That move has clearly backfired. In addition to the discovery process of a federal lawsuit and the Lieberman-Collins investigation, Walpin's case is also the subject of a separate inquiry by Sen. Chuck Grassley -- the Iowa Republican regarded as the Senate's patron saint of IGs -- as well as an FBI investigation into allegations that someone in Sacramento deleted e-mails relevant to Walpin's investigation of Johnson's St. HOPE charity.
Beyond that, Walpin's dismissal was the first of three similar cases of pressure against IGs, along with the termination of ITC inspector general Judith Gwynne's contract and the sudden retirement of the Amtrak IG Fred Wiederhold.
Those familiar with the investigations caution against "playing connect-the-dots" with these three distinct cases. However, some informed Republican sources are beginning to call attention to other evidence of a concerted effort to blindfold, muzzle or neuter watchdogs -- especially those who dare to growl at Democrats.
Why, for instance, did Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) rush through the House a bill that would give President Obama power to dismiss five inspectors general -- including the IG for the Securities and Exchange Commission -- who under existing law report to the agency heads?
The IGs themselves have protested against the Larson bill, which has yet to be debated in the Senate, and it has not escaped notice on Capitol Hill that Larson is a prominent "Friend of Chris." That would be Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Dodd is under intense scrutiny for a number of shady-looking activities -- "Chris Dodd Update" has become a regular feature at Professor Glenn Reynolds' popular Instapundit blog -- and Dodd is also facing a tough re-election bid next year.
No one on the Hill has yet directly suggested that the Larson bill -- which could effectively muzzle watchdogs at five federal financial agencies -- was specifically intended as assistance to the embattled chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. But as liberal bloggers used to say about the Bush administration's activities, some Republicans have begun to "question the timing."
Timing is very important in politics, and both Republicans and Democrats are beginning to look ahead to the 2010 mid-term elections. Projections of double-digit unemployment and mushrooming deficits are already causing some Democratic jitters. The questions being asked about the IG investigations and Obama's promises of "transparency" now dangle like a sword of Damocles above the heads of Democrats on the Hill.
If Democrats take a "methodical" approach to the investigations, working behind closed doors with Rule 29 to prevent public disclosure, they risk Republican accusations -- fair or unfair -- that they are "dragging their feet" or worse. On the other hand, if Democrats begin to express public skepticism about the Obama administration's "transparency" rhetoric, they risk repercussions from the "Chicago Way" of hardball politics that Team Obama seems to have brought to Washington.
And at the center of all this nervousness and suspicion stands the junior senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, who campaigned last year for Republican "Maverick" John McCain. That would be the same Joe Lieberman who is now an independent because left-wingers backed millionaire newcomer Ned Lamont against him in the 2006 Democratic primary. And Chris Dodd was among the Democrats who campaigned for Lamont.
Lieberman prides himself on bipartisanship and integrity. Three weeks ago, he reacted furiously to an accusation by the Washington Times that his committee was failing to pursue the IG investigation. Since then, the "methodical" Lieberman has said little, while Republican suspicions have flourished.
Yet Democrats may have suspicions of their own. Given the vicious treatment the chairman endured from some Democrats three years ago, one veteran Washington journalist told me last week, Lieberman "don't owe those people squat."
*********
PREVIOUSLY:
July 17:
Amtrak IG: Important Background
July 14:
IG-Gate: Sincere Doubts
July 14:
The Little Scandal That Could
July 9:
Democrats Question AmeriCorps Official's Stonewall on IG
Case
July 1:
Malkin on IG-Gate: Does the Endangered Species Act Include
Watchdogs?
June 26:
Grassley: Amtrak 'Systematically Violated' IG Law
June
25: Eleanor
Acheson: Lobbyist
June 25:
Obama Plays Hardball With
Watchdogs
June 23:
Amtrak IG Probe: Who Is Eleanor Acheson?
June 19:
IG-Gate: Domino Theory
June 18:
AmeriCorps Scandal Won't Go Away
Soon
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Deborah D| 7.20.09 @ 7:59AM
Great, thorough job on this seedy, sickening abuse of power by the Obama administration and the covering up that is going on. The more I read about politics and politicians the more I see why they'd have to be sociopaths or narcissists (or both) to be in that line of work. I don't lie well...don't think I'd make it! Thanks for the spotlight on the all the rats running for cover.
ds80| 7.20.09 @ 8:23AM
Turn the lights on and watch the cockroaches scurry. What are the Democrats afraid of? What are they hiding? I'd place bets that not a single Lib responds here, in support of this thuggery.
Aaron| 7.20.09 @ 9:07AM
I can certainly see why the Republicans are slow to lean on Lieberman, with that guy you just never know when he might throw a bone to our side of the aisle. The IGs now know full well that all eyes are on them and that if they find dirt they will be sure to have all bases covered before it comes to light... and they will find dirt, they always do with dems.
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Is that a Second Shoe I See Dropping? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Michael Tomlinson| 7.20.09 @ 9:33AM
Speaks volumes about the lack of transparency and integrity in the Obama administration. So much for that set of promises. While Richard Nixon may have been guilty of an "imperial Presidency" it is clear Obama in his heart wants to be Hugo Chavez del Norte.
msfreeh| 7.20.09 @ 9:55AM
to view a partial list of crimes committed by FBI agents over 1500 pages long see
http://www.forums.signonsandiego.com/showthread.php?t=59139
to view a partial list of FBI agents arrested for pedophilia see
http://www.dallasnews.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3574
msfreeh| 7.20.09 @ 9:57AM
to view a partial list of crimes committed by FBI agents over 1500 pages long see
forums.signonsandiego.com/showthread.php?t=59139
to view a partial list of FBI agents arrested for pedophilia see
dallasnews.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3574
Deborah D| 7.20.09 @ 10:28AM
Hey msfreeh -- How about sticking to the subject? What, are Dems not satisfied with going after the CIA? Are they now targeting the FBI?
rdman| 7.20.09 @ 11:08AM
The Only Solution
Time is overdue for We, the People to tell the socialist/fascist democrats and the spineless RINOs that we’ve had enough their deceptive deceit and corruption. Its time to stand up, find these career-politician tyrants in gross violation of their Constitutional Oaths and purge them from the halls of our government.
Eliminate the Washington DC snake-pit of entrenched appeasing, expediency, placating and crab-walking despots by voting these delusional, parasitic, megalomaniac realpolitiks out of government… they are not worthy to represent We, The People of this magnificent Country.
1) Start this process by requiring your State’s Elected Representatives to convene a Constitutional Convention for the sole purpose of modifying in pertinent part, Amendment XVII to read, “Representatives and Senators of the U.S. Congress, elected by the people thereof, for two years and six years respectively for a maximum of two terms…”
2) Reject all career-politicians running for re-election… they speak with ulterior motives, hidden agendas, deceit, duplicity and deception… they have become corrupt and no longer qualified for Leadership or Statesmanship. They are, in fact, a scourge upon the land.
3) Recruit and elect true representatives of We, the People… Citizen Professionals who have demonstrated excellence in management, performance, integrity, patriotism, pride and optimism, chivalry and civility for a maximum of two terms to re-establish the public service model of our Founding Fathers… Leadership, Statesmanship, Dignity, Honor and Duty.
Summation
Over 100 years ago, the great Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull, after dealing with government lawyers, proclaimed with eloquent simplicity and clarity, “Whiteman Speak with Forked Tongue.”
Contemporarily stated, despite their duplicity and deviousness, the career-politician-bureaucrat may trip themselves up because part of their need for vindictive triumph includes the desire for their opposition to know who victimized them. Their need for attention may become their nemesis. However, the career-politician-bureaucrat doesn’t care. Public adoration by the unaware or condemnation and notoriety gives them the attention they crave… being admired, feared or despised affirms that they exist with godly power and control.
Terry Ott| 7.20.09 @ 11:16AM
I'm not worried about the slow pace of an investigation, frankly, for three reasons:
(1) The White House claimed to have fully investigated already, despite claims by several key people (and Walpin) that no one conducting an investigation had spoken with them about the matter. So now we can ask, "if Congress required X weeks to investigate, and the White House only X hours/days, how was the White House able to reach a legitimate , studied conclusion? Is there another term to describe the kind of review done earlier --- like "whitewash", maybe?
(2) The longer this is in the air, the more people will become aware of the odor, AND the more likely the parallel FBI probe into obstruction of justice related to the IG will become widely known.
(3) Now that Walpin has filed suit, the investigation cannot afford to overlook things that will come out via legal discovery.
I want this done RIGHT. Fast is fine, if it's thorough, but better right than quick.
Tim| 7.20.09 @ 12:10PM
This thing isn't going anywhere. You heard it here first. I will happily eat these words if events prove me wrong.
Marc Jeric| 7.20.09 @ 1:32PM
What we all need is more clarity:
1) all investigations into the Democrat misdeeds and crimes will come to naught - as the last recourse AG Holder will shut them down;
2) when a hear or read something said by a Democrat, liberal, progressive, left, or MSM - I translate that as being said by a commie-nazi person; after that translation everything gets to be much clearer.
Pork N. Beans| 7.20.09 @ 2:13PM
Gee, I hope this doesn't come to a head at a time when the administration is trying to justify their stimulus of the ham producing industry.
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Peace through strength: a Reagan lesson for Barack Obama « Jim Blazsik links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Richard Baker| 7.20.09 @ 3:00PM
Michael Tomlinson:
Good name for El Jefe at 1600 Pennsylvania.
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VIDEO: Miami to Protest Against Taxes & Gov. Spending – 7/21/2009 (Miami Protesta Con links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
J| 7.20.09 @ 5:49PM
Chris Dodd...resign NOW
There are voters coming after you. We don't want you writing the healthcare legislation.
For Fannie and Freddie...resign NOW
For lying about your role in AIG bonuses...resign NOW
For your pay for play irish cottage...resign NOW
"Countrywide" Chris Dodd...resign NOW
Joe Leberman the Homosexual| 7.20.09 @ 7:05PM
On March 16, 2003, on the eve of the United States' invasion of Iraq, Pastor John Hagee took to the pulpit to warn of the coming Antichrist. In his sermon, "The Final Dictator," Hagee described the Antichrist as a seductive figure with "fierce features." He will be "a blasphemer and a homosexual," the pastor announced. Then, Hagee boomed, "There's a phrase in Scripture used solely to identify the Jewish people. It suggests that this man [the Antichrist] is at least going to be partially Jewish, as was Adolph Hitler, as was Karl Marx."
This "fierce" gay Jew, according to Hagee, would "slaughter one-third of the Earth's population" and "make Adolph Hitler look like a choirboy."
The End of An Empire| 7.20.09 @ 7:35PM
A country that claims Religion, and the rest spends their time worshiping Homosexual, Peadophiles, people should be ashamed voting for these degenerates.
No wonder America is falling apart, damned to hell with economic problems, from thieves in high places, and sexual predators.
Robert Belvedere| 7.20.09 @ 9:04PM
Quoted from and linked to at:
http://www.thecampofthesaints.com/2009.07.19_arch.html#1248099340904
and linked to at:
http://www.thecampofthesaints.com/wwuam.html#unwelcome_distractions
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Obama violates his own law, fires Inspector General - Page 6 - PennJersey.info Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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hank| 7.22.09 @ 5:04PM
News story not long ago was how the aadministration was so amazed of how Obama Lies so why should we listen to him about health care.. Is he lieing again I believe so
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