Jackson Fabricated the Entire Story, Spokesperson Claims, Contradicting Prior Response
Jackson Fabricated the Entire Story, Spokesperson Claims, Contradicting Prior Response
A spokesperson for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has issued a second response to reports that Jackson publicly admitted cancelling a government contract with a business because the CEO was critical of President Bush.
Dustee Tucker, a spokeswoman for Jackson, told the Dallas Business Journal Tuesday that Jackson’s comments at his April 28 speech were purely “anecdotal.”
“He was merely trying to explain to the audience how people in D.C., will say critical things about the secretary, will unfairly characterize the president and then turn around and ask you for money,” Tucker said. “He did not actually meet with someone and turn down a contract. He’s not part of the contracting process.”
In other words, his spokesman claims that Jackson fabricated a long and detailed exchange (excerpt: “He said, ‘I have a problem with your president.’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘I don’t like President Bush.’”) with a CEO that doesn’t actually exist, about a process he isn’t actually involved with.
Two points:
1) That excuse isn’t just difficult to swallow — it also contradicts the spokesperson’s first response in which she indicated Jackson was referring to a real contract: “On May 3, Tucker told the Business Journal that the contract Jackson was referring to in Dallas was ‘an advertising contract with a minority publication,’ though she could not provide the contract’s value.” It looks like Jackson is changing his story as criticism builds.
2) Bidding for a government contract isn’t ‘asking for money.’ It’s not Alphonso Jackson’s money to give away to his buddies. It is the taxpayers’ money. It should go to whoever can do the best job, regardless of their political views.
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in other words:
Liar, liar, pants on fire!!
Either way, he needs to resign or be fired.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:13 pmSo Jackson is either a lair or a criminal? Sounds about right for the Bush Administration.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:14 pmPresident Bush to HUD’s Alphonse Jackson:
May 9th, 2006 at 8:17 pm“Scratch my back, I’ll rub your bald head.”
I believe whatever the official story of the moment is. And you libruls better believe it too!
May 9th, 2006 at 8:20 pmThe most crooked bunch of liars….
May 9th, 2006 at 8:22 pmThe depths of nefarity that some will sink to never ceases to amaze me.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:33 pmI was kinda suspecting the story was boasting.
So he should be ousted for THAT.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:36 pmwell, again a number of democrats will have to show that they have some political testicles and pursue it. write the justice department, ask for investigation; when they refuse send another letter, hold press conferences, and all the rest…close down the senate; speak into the night in the house the way gingrich and those people did in 1994!
the democrats, but, for feingold–and even he left the senate confirmation hearings of kavanaugh early for some god-damned reason i’ll never understand–just keep bending over and take it in the number two place over and over and over.
they are the battered wife that has to turn around and stab the husband in the heart every now and then…
the problem is, there is no one to do it! dodd, leahy, and the rest are great at writing letters…well, at least the FIRST letter, and then they let it drop and look at the next shiney object to fall on the floor…
May 9th, 2006 at 8:37 pmCome on this is standard operating GOP procedure, say something, have it recorded and then say it was out of context. What is in context for this bunch? Another Bill Bennet black baby abortion meme.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:39 pmI was wondering if the story was false. I can’t imagine the contractor in this situation not making noise. He would have had thousands of dollars on the line. I think if this guy had done this, the contractor would have told someone.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:40 pmWell good…another investigation. What are we up to now, 1863 investigations? These investigations remind me of kissing through a screen door. In this case there’s a very important component missing–justice.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:40 pmPolitiicans…what a bunch of self serving a$$holes!
Alright then, next.
(In response to the update)
May 9th, 2006 at 8:43 pmJust made Keith’s “Worst Person in the World”.
HA!
May 9th, 2006 at 8:45 pmThose gawd dern yanks should quit the fussin’
May 9th, 2006 at 8:45 pmWhen you’re caught in misbehavior, just change your story and lie yourself out of it. It’s the Eddie Haskell defense. Lesson #1 in the primer for being in the Bush Administration.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:50 pmWhen you’re caught in misbehavior, just change your story and lie yourself out of it. It’s the Eddie Haskell defense. Lesson #1 in the primer for being in the Bush Administration.
Comment by Marie
I can see it now. Any new appointments must watch all “Leave it to Beaver” reruns with Eddie in them, before they take the positions.
May 9th, 2006 at 9:00 pmNo wonder all his cabinet members are totally “lights are on but no one is home” insane =)
That’s not even a plausible lie! Wrong answer! Please try again!
May 9th, 2006 at 9:00 pmnew protest sign:
eddie haskell lied and no one died!
others?
May 9th, 2006 at 9:08 pm[…] At least that’s how I read this update on the Secretary Jackson kerfluffle: Think Progress » Jackson Fabricated the Entire Story, Spokesperson Claims, Contradicting Prior Response A spokesperson for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has issued a second response to reports that Jackson publicly admitted cancelling a government contract with a business because the CEO was critical of President Bush. Dustee Tucker, a spokeswoman for Jackson, told the Dallas Business Journal Tuesday that Jackson’s comments at his April 28 speech were purely “anecdotal.” […]
May 9th, 2006 at 9:14 pmWouldn’t it be funny if the last straw for the Republicans was the “anecdote” dreamed up by this turd?
May 9th, 2006 at 9:21 pmOh, come on. He didn’t mean it literally!
May 9th, 2006 at 9:24 pmEven if it is true that he never had the conversation, the fact that he made the remarks in front of an audience is something to consider. The folks in the audience could take away only one moral from his message: If you want a government contract, you had better support the Bush administration.
That’s grounds for dismissal right there.
May 9th, 2006 at 9:29 pm[…] Jackson Fabricated the Entire Story, Spokesperson Claims, Contradicting Prior Response […]
May 9th, 2006 at 9:32 pmThe repugs lie so much they can’t get out of their own way!
May 9th, 2006 at 9:34 pmSo what is new about this? Hypocrisy is what the GOP stands for now!
May 9th, 2006 at 9:41 pmSo the man is a liar. Unfortunately, lies have an impact. The obvious impact is that a clear message is sent to the public. There is a political test for government contracts. He deserves to be fired for his arrogance, his lack of honesty and his impact upon public confidence in the government contracting system.
May 9th, 2006 at 9:58 pmBut his lie is nearly as bad as the original story. He’s saying that he stood up in front of an audience and told them in effect, only good Republicans get Federal money. Isn’t that a pretty serious cudgel to use against anyone doing contract work for the government. Wouldn’t you think they might feel the need to send tribute in the form of donations to make sure you knew just how much they really love you?
May 9th, 2006 at 10:07 pmHe must resign whether the story is made up or not.
If made up, but he remains in office, then the message of the story remains standing as a threat to all future government contractors.
His resignation should not primarily seen as a punishment, either for lying, or even for the actual single incident. His resignation must be a statement that this type of behavior, or the threat of it, is simply unacceptable. Period.
May 9th, 2006 at 10:14 pmMaybe he doesnt know what the meaning of “is” is.
May 9th, 2006 at 10:18 pmI don’t think it can be an anecdote if it’s fictional. An allegory, maybe.
May 9th, 2006 at 10:20 pmAnecdote: a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident. Allegory: expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence. Of course, none of this matters because everyone got the point that if you”re against Bush, you don’t deserve to draw a paycheck.
Jackson has disgraced himself whether or not the story was true, he should resign.
May 9th, 2006 at 10:22 pmHa! I crack myself up!
It’s just like how Guiliani played politics with HUD funds in NYC in the 90s - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/9/194521/2334
May 9th, 2006 at 10:23 pmWow a liar in D.C. Just another robber. Hide your wallets, find every loophole with your taxes. Give them NOTHING. Washington is full of thieves and cheats. Spend your money on what you want, not what they want. They will waste it, everyone of them.
May 9th, 2006 at 10:25 pmDon’t Badmouth Bush If You Want A Government Contract (UPDATED)…
If you have a contract with the government and you say you don’t like George Bush you can kiss off — and kiss your contract goodbye.
That’s the thinly veiled message U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson appar……
May 9th, 2006 at 10:39 pmDon’t worry. If this really happened, reporters will find this person within a week. There’s enough here and it’s public record. He might end up wishing he was only a liar.
May 9th, 2006 at 10:40 pmSo Alphonso is claiming it was a parable. Secretary Jesus????
May 9th, 2006 at 10:49 pmAnd THAT’S why we HAVE the GSA. As a Gov’t Service Employee, I am instructed to look for a GSA contractor to supply my services first. The contractors are listed in Size of Business (small-to-Large), and then Minority Status (including Women-Owned) next, so I might be able to help smaller businesses that also benefit minorities. I have no problem with that at all. I ENJOY the knowledge that I’m helping those who need it most, and TRY to help the most needy.
The GUS Government definition of a “Small Business” is this: An American, or American-Owned Business, or a subsidiary of an American, or American-Owned business employing 500 persons or less.” That’s it. I TRY t owrite in specifics that help the most needy.
Over the past several years, I’ve been able to steer 100’s of thousands of dollars to small, minority businesses, and did it proudly… within the bid sysytem, MY responsibility, is to make sure that my Statement of Work is AS SPECIFIC as I can possibly make it. This usually requires hours of comparitive research…. Who can supply reliably what…. for how much.. in what time period? These are the questions that my bosses ask ME. I need to respond honestly, and properly.
In the very end, I usually have no choice in what I get, or I have my choice of several respondant’s products, which I can evaluate blindly…. I have NO idea which company made what item.
I’m looking for BEST quality vs. price, in those situations… I’ve done well, so far, for you, my fellow taxpayers, and I’m proud of it. I’m a serious stickler when it comes to spending OUR money. I always hold in my head, “I’m spensding my parent’s and my nieces’ money” I suspect that I am the ultimate minority within this process.
Sad, but true… I really DO try to do the best by your tax money….
Mr. Secretary need to respectfully step down, or submit to the GSA 50-Grit Dildo, followed by the VERY REPUBLICAN, 3-Quart, Glass Shard Enema.
We’d get our money’s worth, either way… as Tax-Payers…
Just being silly, DHS….
–mf
May 9th, 2006 at 10:57 pm“GUS” = GSA in the 2nd para of my last posting.
–mf
May 9th, 2006 at 10:59 pmThis is just the tip of the iceberg.
I bet the Bush administration has run out of LITMUS PAPER by now. And as they are reordering, they will only order from a contractor certified to be Republican or an Evangelical Religious Fundamentalist..
In other words, what the Republicans (think Delay) have done to K Street, and the Republican hand-picked Generals have done to the military, and Goss was doing to the CIA, the Bush administration, along with their crony appointees, have done to the procurement process of OUR DEMOCRACY.
So, why do I not believe what this Jackson partisan hack said: “Then he said something … he said, ‘I have a problem with your president.’” Riiight. They probably ran a campaign donor check on this contractor to see if he gave to the Republicans at all or gave less to the Republicans than to Democratic candidates.
Now we know what a one-party COMMUNIST police state looks like…from the inside, unfortunately. Cronyism. Corruption. Incompetence. Lying. Cheating. Stealing. Flagrant violations of the LAW. These are the true colors of the neo-con Republican Party…not red, white and blue!!!
May 9th, 2006 at 11:10 pmAlphonso, Condi and the shoplifter. As an African-American they give people like me a bad name. But since they’re Republicans who kneel before the Chimperor Boy King, they are nothing but a buch of Toms and Jemimas.
May 9th, 2006 at 11:33 pm“He was merely trying to explain to the audience how people in D.C., will say critical things about the secretary, will unfairly characterize the president and then turn around and ask you for money,â€
******************
Oh, puh-LEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!! You mean, in the same way that the Bush administration initially criticized countries which weren’t willing to support the War In Iraq and then turned around a year or so later and tried to wheedle money out of some of those same countries?!? Biting the hand that feeds you is not particularly intelligent — but in my opinion, it’s even more imbecilic to expect the hand you’ve already bitten to feed you…
Yeeeesh…the hypocrisy of this administration knows no bounds!
May 10th, 2006 at 12:04 amNot only is Jackson a liar, he also has no soul. Here is an excerpt from an article in the Washington Post 1995, where he brags about how many residents he has evicted from public housing:
May 10th, 2006 at 12:20 amWhy not start attaching an email address where we can send off a letter of complaint!? That’s absurd and I can’t believe the national media hasn’t picked up on this story.
Especially not that he’s changing his mind.. give me a BREAK.
These people will say anything.
-C
May 10th, 2006 at 2:47 amWHERE DOES BUSH FIND THESE IDIOTS?
NEVERMIND, I THINK I KNOW….”K STREET PROJECT” ?
May 10th, 2006 at 7:47 amMr. Jackson doesn’t seem to realize that contract awards are not Bush’s money.
May 10th, 2006 at 7:48 amBottom line remains, was the contract cancelled?
May 10th, 2006 at 8:03 amAlfonso Jackson is to Bushiva what Roscoe was to Jack Benny…
…a foil for the straight guy…
…I talked to Jackson on C-Span one morning and the basta*d lied through his spacey teeth…
…Jackson is a Step-n-fetchit, Lightnin’ of the first degree…
…a Bushite TRAITOR extraordinaire…
…I believe the situation described was REAL…
…that boy would kill his mama for his ‘massa’…
May 10th, 2006 at 8:50 amBullshit Bob Brandon, the bottom line is the son of a bitch is either a liar or a thief. He stands as a shining example of the Republican Culture of Coruption the infects our government and our country. He and the horse he rode in on (GW Bush) should be hung by their heals in the public square!
May 10th, 2006 at 9:25 amHere’s my defense of HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson against all you pinko commie liberals!
May 10th, 2006 at 9:29 amAlphonso, Condi and the shoplifter. As an African-American they give people like me a bad name. But since they’re Republicans who kneel before the Chimperor Boy King, they are nothing but a buch of Toms and Jemimas.
Comment by JIMBO
No dummy. The out of control NBA stars, the gangster rappers, the moonbat congressmen and congresswomen and the black killers here in Houston who took our charity after Katrina and murdered our citizens give you a bad name. But since you don’t get it one can only assume you deserve a bad name. Which bad name would you prefer? I’ve got several for you if you’re stumped.
May 10th, 2006 at 9:38 amBacking off like this gives weight to the theory that the only reason politics came up in the discussion with Jackson is because he asked for a contribution. Why else would a contractor even broach the subject? It wouldn’t make any sense. If that’s what happened, they better hope they can make the whole thing go away.
The speculation about a contribution is here-
May 10th, 2006 at 9:42 amhttp://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/008407.php
So either Tucker AND Jackson were lying — at different times — when they referred to the would-be HUD contractor who lost the contract after dissing Bush, OR it really did happen.
In other words: “Were you lying then or are you lying now?”
By the way: My guess is that the magazine in question is Jet. When Clinton was in office, this mag ran lots of ads from government agencies, and was very pro-Clinton. Might be helpful to have a TP staffer hit the library to check out back issues of Jet printed during Jackson’s tenure as HUD head to see if there was a sudden drop-off in HUD ads.
May 10th, 2006 at 9:51 am“people in D.C., will say critical things about the secretary, will unfairly characterize the president ”
So, dissent is “unfair”?
May 10th, 2006 at 10:05 am#50 Yes, IRI, we know you know ALL the bad words - very good and very clever you are. I stopped doing that in grade school though. You are only funny in your own head, so maybe you should keep the Limbaughesq names there.
You know, better off keeping your mouth closed and letting people think you’re stupid rather than opening your mouth and proving them IRightI.
May 10th, 2006 at 10:46 am#52 Or you could do it yourself.
May 10th, 2006 at 10:49 am[…] Since Jackson himself admitted this, it would seem that he’s in a bit of trouble. But his defense is certainly novel: Dustee Tucker, a spokeswoman for Jackson, told the Dallas Business Journal Tuesday that Jackson’s comments at his April 28 speech were purely “anecdotal.” […]
May 10th, 2006 at 11:06 amhotline@hudoig.gov
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to urge you to take action with regard to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alfonso Jackson who I believe abused the powers of his office. Secretary Jackson publicly boasted he canceled a government contract with a business because the CEO was critical of President Bush. Said Jackson, “he didn’t get the contract. Why should I reward someone who doesn’t like the president, so they can use funds to try to campaign against the president? Logic says they don’t get the contract. That’s the way I believe.â€
Soon after, Jackson excused himself, explaining that his comments about the cancellation were falsehood. Jackson’s actions raise a serious concern because whichever case is actually true is almost irrelevant since the explanation is as offensive and unacceptable as the act. Both reflect unbecoming and possibly unlawful conduct.
The interests of the American public demand and require scrupulous adherence to the law and to the highest ethical standards. Impartiality in service of the citizens must be honored, and partisan politics cannot be allowed to be a factor in the judgment of Cabinet members. This matter needs to be scrutinized to determine the facts and appropriate action taken.
Sincerely,
May 10th, 2006 at 11:09 amTo Krazney: The contractor might not have complained because he might not have known the reason for the cancellation.
May 10th, 2006 at 11:12 am[…] Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that Alphonso Jackson is now telling the truth. (And we have serious doubts.) Through his spokesperson, Jackson now says his original story about canceling a contract because the contractor criticized Bush was a fabrication. […]
May 10th, 2006 at 11:41 amThe out of control NBA stars, the gangster rappers, the moonbat congressmen and congresswomen and the black killers here in Houston who took our charity after Katrina and murdered our citizens give you a bad name.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I
I’solated-R’eptilean-I’nbred bastich,
Sorta’ like your murderous white hood wearing klansmen and Aryan Nations convicts…
…or tobacco-chewing, snuff dipping Jack Daniels (Meth-crazed) country music /NASCAR loving stars/fans…
… or your corrupt mass murdering Halliburton-LockheedMartin-Abramoff-Duke Cunningham connected al Cracker conservative/neoconservative Republiscum Preznit and Vice Punka*s cowardly, chickenhearted numbnut dipsh*ts ?
Now, WHO has stolen more money, offended, terrorized and MURDERED MORE people, you racist al Cracker beeeotch?
May 10th, 2006 at 12:13 pmWhich bad name would you prefer? I’ve got several for you if you’re stumped.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I #50
…and to think I could’ve been your daddy…
…had I been able to get change for that $5…
May 10th, 2006 at 12:18 pmIRI- I guess that Big Papa and Progressive and Proud proved my point. That I was right and you are wrong. Oh, and I never asked your opinion so you have no right to call me names if we’re going to have a truthful debate.
Big Papa and Progressive and Proud, thanks. :) But wasn’t Rochester Jack Benny’s foil?
May 10th, 2006 at 12:41 pmBut wasn’t Rochester Jack Benny’s foil?
Comment by JIMBO
JIMBO,
I guess my fingers moved faster than my mind…
…thanks for the correction…
…but don’t make it a habit…
…it’s embarrassing :-)
hahahahaha!!!!
May 10th, 2006 at 1:05 pm[…] Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson is already under fire for admitting he cancelled a government contract with a business because the CEO was critical of President Bush. But that’s not the only contract corruption scandal his department is wrapped up in. […]
May 10th, 2006 at 2:51 pmBig Papa-
Don’t worry, dude. Just helping. ;)
May 10th, 2006 at 3:20 pm[…] Recently the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonse Jackson, told a gathering of developers about a government contractor who lost his bid because the contractor criticized the president. Apparently Jackson didn’t know that is illegal to deny contracts based on political preference because it took his spokesperson two tries to find an explanation that doesn’t involve Jackson breaking the law. That current winner: he lied. […]
May 10th, 2006 at 6:04 pmBy the way: My guess is that the magazine in question is Jet. When Clinton was in office, this mag ran lots of ads from government agencies, and was very pro-Clinton. Might be helpful to have a TP staffer hit the library to check out back issues of Jet printed during Jackson’s tenure as HUD head to see if there was a sudden drop-off in HUD ads.
Comment by Phoenix Woman — May 10, 2006 @ 9:51 am
This bears repeating, so the blogosphere can get cracking!
May 10th, 2006 at 8:33 pmThis bears repeating so the great investigatory blogoshere can get cracking!
May 10th, 2006 at 8:36 pmJust like when Rumsfeld claimed he NEVER said he knew where the WMDs were.
May 11th, 2006 at 2:51 pm