Senator calls for Jackson resignation.
“Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called on President Bush to ask for the immediate resignation of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson if a report about government contracts being awarded based on the contractor’s opinion of President Bush are accurate.”
UPDATE: Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Barney Frank (D-MA) write Secretary Jackson: “If this account is accurate, your comments were improper and most likely illegal. Federal contracts should be awarded based on merit, not on whether a contractor likes or dislikes President Bush.”
UPDATE II: Reuters has the first story out on the wire on the Jackson scandal.
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34 Responses to “Senator calls for Jackson resignation.”
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Bush doesn’t listen to Republicans, let alone Democrats. This won’t go anywhere.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:36 pmSen. Lautenberg, that’ll have as much effect as a waitress throwing herself against a bank vault.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:38 pmCheck this out
May 9th, 2006 at 4:40 pmAt the rate all these folks are resigning, Dubya won’t have any more cronies to appoint. So sad.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:44 pm#3 - good clip.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:44 pmSen. Lautenberg may not have an effect (ref. comments 1 & 2). At least he’s speaking out. We need to hear more of the outrage from the Democrats in the Senate.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:46 pmJackson’s concern that money from HUD contracts might be used to campaign against Bush should raise eyebrows - is he saying it is OK (or even ‘expected’) for HUD monies to be used to campaign FOR Bush…?
May 9th, 2006 at 4:48 pm#1 & #2 - It’s the thought that counts, just like on Mother’s Day.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:51 pmZoo Jr are you lurking? ;)
How many more Bush appointees can get into hot water? If this isn’t a demonstration of wholesale cronyism and/or incompetence, then I would hate to witness the real thing. Strangely, the President doesn’t seem to learn from prior mistakes…I hope he keeps up the good work until November. Having these nice scandals happen every couple weeks has been a real “Godsend” to Democrats. Looks like somebody made the big man mad…
more observations here:
http://www.thoughttheater.com
May 9th, 2006 at 4:52 pmAs a person who works directly with HUD, I am not surprised by the Secretary’s comments. This is an agency that feels that it is untouchable. I have seen mistake after mistake and yet no one gets fired. In fact, they get promoted.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:53 pmSince my comment has been referrenced a couple of times here, I will add more.
There are much worse things that have been going on. For this guy to all of a sudden get bent because somebody didn’t get e contract makes me laugh.
Where does this guy stand on illegal wiretaps?
Where does this guy stand on Gitmo prisoners being held indefinitely?
Where does this guy stand on the illegal war in Iraq?
Where does this guy stand on Bush and his oil buddies raping America?
Where does this guy stand on redition of suspects to Eastern European countries to be tortured?
This guy wants to be angry about somebody not getting a contract. Feh. I say he not only missed the boat, he is swirling around in the boats wake.
Give me a break. It isn’t the thought that counts in politics. It is the action that counts.
SHOW ME SOME ACTION!
May 9th, 2006 at 4:57 pm#7 Jackson’s concern that money from HUD contracts might be used to campaign against Bush should raise eyebrows - is he saying it is OK (or even ‘expected’) for HUD monies to be used to campaign FOR Bush…?
Comment by Buford — May 9, 2006 @ 4:48 pm
Excellent point, Buford. I agree. Does Secretary Jackson believe that receipients of taxpayer monies should campaign for the president whose administration granted the money?
Are they really of the mindset that government should be run like a scratch-my-back-I’ll-scratch-yours business partnership? Do they not understand that government is supposed to serve the common good, not just the good of the people who donated to their campaigns.
I really do believe that this administration is of the belief that if you don’t support them, they don’t have to lift a finger to help you. It’s time to get rid of them (legally).
May 9th, 2006 at 5:03 pmit is amazing that a google search shows this site and two others as covering this story!!!
maybe i should not be amazed, but, it is telling, isn’t it?
May 9th, 2006 at 5:16 pmSPUDGE_BOY… In and of itself yes you are right BUT… in the bigger picture it points up the huge issue of cronyism and corruption in this administration. I too am outraged at all the things you mentioned. But this case in particular is so glaring that i believe it could be used as a vehicle by the DNC to really bash repugs again!! I hope they all jump on it like white on rice!!
May 9th, 2006 at 5:17 pmMaybe the secretary was just trying to control costs? After all, under his Ideological Purity scheme, usually only seen in communist contries, only one in three Americans would qualify for a HUD contract.
Bush’s supporters are THAT thin on the ground.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:21 pm.
DNC hasn’t done anything!
What happened to Dean’s gonads?
Only now they are suing for White House records, after a more conservative slanted group won their suit?
Why isn’t he on every Sunday morning show, exposing this corrupt Admin?
Or holding Press Conf’s? Something.
He’s really disappointed me.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:23 pm#10 - brent,
You just described EVERY government agency under the Bush regime. I haven’t seen so many people fail upward since I went to private school with kids whose parents donated new wings/gymnasiums (which is, I may add, where the mentality comes from). Let’s review shall we?
George Tenet, Former Director of CIA: Presided over, allegedly, the single largest breakdown in American intelligence gathering and allowed the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history to happen on his watch (I don’t really buy that the CIA’s intel was flawed though). Result: Given the Presidential Medal of Freedom (highest civilian honor)
R. Paul Bremer, Former Director, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq: Presided over the loss of $8.8 Billion in taxpayer money and over 40 cases of contractor fraud, waste, and abuse currently in litigation. Result: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a cushy lobbying job
Hon. Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States: As the President’s attorney, was the author of the “Geneva Conventions are quaint and outdated” memo that directly led to the systemic abuse of detainees in American control and advised the President that he had the right to violate both the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and the Foriegn Intelligence Surveillance Act. Result: Nominated as Attorney General of the United States
Gen. Tommy Franks (Ret.), Former Commander of American forces in Iraq: Presided over the largest loss of American military personell since the Vietnam war due to poor planning and pigheadedness on the part of he and his superiors. As well as, the inception of the largest insurgent force arrayed against American troops since Vietnam. Result: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a cushy lobbying job.
Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State: As National Security Advisor to the President, presided over the largest terrorist attack on American soil. In testimony before the 9/11 Commission, she lied and showed her incompetence related to the aforementioned event. Result: Nominated as Secretary of State.
Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense: I don’t even know where to begin here. Is guilty of so many egregious errors in both judgement and the execution of his duties that it would take me days to list them all. Result: Still leading the American military (over a huge precipice one could argue).
I could go on and on and on. The President has failed up his entire life. Nothing he has ever undertaken could be even remotely considered to be a success. It, therefore, sadly makes sense that EVERYONE in his misadministration would share the same characteristics and boons he has. This is a sad era for our nation that will not be looked on favorably by history. Hell, once the final history of this criminal administration is written, they’re going to make Caligula’s rule look like a Sunday afternoon picnic.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:27 pmAnother Bush crony demonstrates his blind loyalty to the Fuhrer and his ignorance of the law!
“Heckuva job, Phonsie!”
May 9th, 2006 at 5:31 pmIf you’ve been beating your wife, you will be arrested. Seriously though, I hope you guys are right for once. Would be too tragic if you “implicated” someone just to be disappointed again.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:36 pm#17
Add Norton at Interior and Snow at Treasury, please…
Norton has Abramoff stains and bilked native americans for years and years.. do a search on the indian trust fund and read the words of judge latham
Snow approved DP world transaction years after DP world purchased CSX, a company where he was a CEO for $1.2 billion. See Senator Dodd’s site and read Dodd’s letter to the war-criminal.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:36 pm#19 - You stopped beating your wife, right? Oh yeah, no wife, it was the boyfriend.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:43 pm#17
oops…i thought you were listing corruption within each cabinet-level position, but, i see you are listing *promoting* corrupt members…
May 9th, 2006 at 5:46 pmI am afraid Spudge is correct; this probably won’t go anywhere. Look at the many and very serious illegal activities by the White House gang — all objections simply wither away for lack of interest or action.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:55 pmThat being said, I applaud Frank and Lautenberg for speaking out. Jackson WAS acting illegally. It goes to the pervasive swagger and sanctimony of the party in power; they all act like Bush. They have the power, they have the $$, they have all they need to run the show and they will run it the way they want.
Arrogance and hubris to the nth degree. They would do well to remember that pride goes before the fall. Jackson has hitched his wagon to a lame pony.
We all need a contact site to send e-mails or correspondenc. The ABA section on Public Contract Law should also be contacted by various bloggers to demand the ABA’s stance on this issue. Additionally, Nat. Assoc of Manufacturers, Aerospace Assoc and Manufacturer’s Alliance should be contacted asking for their comment. This is the type of activity that progressives and the Democratic Party should be out in front of. Make it public. Identify the stake holders and interest groups that should be put on the spot. Go after them.
May 9th, 2006 at 6:05 pm[…] >> Senator calls for Jackson resignation >> Two Democrats call for HUD contracts probe >> DNC: “It is absolutely astounding that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would brag about denying a federal contract based on the contractor’s opinion of the President. This is another example of the Republican culture of corruption that has engulfed the Bush White House and the Republican-led Congress. The American people deserve an open and thorough investigation into whether Secretary Jackson violated federal procurement laws by taking partisan preference into consideration in awarding contracts, and into what other contracts were unlawfully and improperly steered or restricted to Republican allies. This scandal is another reason why the American people are hungry for change, not more of the same cronyism and failed policies of the Bush Administration.†[…]
May 9th, 2006 at 6:17 pm#16 trueblue
May 9th, 2006 at 6:23 pmDean does appear on Sunday morning shows and he does articulate the Democrats’ plan. Unfortunately, the network programers and CNN schedule Republicans about 3 to 1 in their guest line up. Fox is hopeless.
Dean’s gonads seem to be in tact.
I agree Marie.
Until the media starts playing fair, the Bush regime will always come out on top. (unfortunately they’re always on top of young boys)
Build more prisons! Invest in KY Jelly!
May 9th, 2006 at 7:41 pmTHE SPIN ZONE….
May 9th, 2006 at 8:05 pm[…] Two points: 1) That excuse isn’t just difficult to swallow — it also contradicts the spokesperson’s first response published in today’s paper, which referenced the specific contract in question: “Dustee Tucker, a spokeswoman for Jackson’s office, said the value of the advertising contract, which was to be placed with a minority publication, could not be provided.” It looks like Jackson is changing his story as criticism builds. […]
May 9th, 2006 at 8:16 pmPresident Bush to HUD’s Alphonso Jackson:
May 9th, 2006 at 8:22 pm“Scratch my back, I’ll rub your bald head.”
Six more months till we take Congress and America back. Then the impeachment process can begin. A.S.A.P.
May 9th, 2006 at 11:36 pmAdSense Money Maker
Do you know how to make money from AdSense automatically? You don’t!? I’ll teach you how!
March 21st, 2008 at 5:34 am[…] Murray join Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Barney Frank (D-MA), who have all called on Jackson to resign in the past. For more on Jackson, go HERE. Comments 0 Share […]
March 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm[…] grand jury, the Justice Department, the FBI and the HUD inspector general.” At least five lawmakers have called on Jackson to resign, including Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), and […]
March 31st, 2008 at 10:28 am