Posted on 12/11/2004 7:33:21 AM PST by EggsAckley
WASHINGTON (AP ) - Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, President Bush's choice to be homeland security secretary, has withdrawn his name from consideration, the White House announced late Friday.
Presidential press secretary Scott McClellan, in a conference call to news organizations, revealed that Kerik had withdrawn ``for personal reasons.''
``The president respects his decision and wishes the commissioner and his wife, Hala, well,'' McClellan said in a statement.
``Commissioner Kerik is withdrawing his name from director of homeland security,'' the spokesman said. ``He informed the White House this evening that he was withdrawing for personal reasons from consideration to be secretary of homeland security.''
McClellan said that Kerik telephoned the president at about 8:30 p.m. EST. Kerik also sent a letter to the White House in which he announced his wishes.
McClellan said the White House ``will move as quickly as we can to name someone else to fill this nomination.''
Bush's nomination of Kerik quickly proved controversial. News reports in recent days focused on revelations that Kerik had made millions of dollars a stun gun company that sold weapons to the Homeland Security Department and which wants more business. The White House had said that Kerik would avoid any conflicts of interest.
Records filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission show Kerik made $6.2 million by exercising stock options he received from Taser International. He has been a consultant for the company and still serves on its board of directors, although the company and the White House said he planned to sever the relationship.
Kerik, 49, had been selected by Bush to succeed Tom Ridge in the Cabinet-level position, heading a huge federal agency that was founded in reaction to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks against New York and Washington.
Kerik was anticipating hearings on his confirmation, and earlier Friday had held a private breakfast meeting in New Jersey, where Sen. Jon Corzine told him that New Jersey should receive more money from the federal agency, according to a spokesman for Corzine.
Corzine told Kerik the state's entire congressional delegation and acting Gov. Richard J. Codey were united in getting the agency to change the way it doles out funds, said Corzine spokesman Brad Woodhouse.
Woodhouse said the senator told Kerik during the meeting at an undisclosed site in New Jersey that he believes the funding formula should be based on the risk of a terror attack.
Just hours before Kerik withdrew his name, the White House defended him on questions about potential ethical conflicts of interest.
``We have full confidence in his integrity and we are confident that he will take the appropriate steps necessary to make sure that there are no conflicts there,'' McClellan had said at his midday briefing.
``We've looked into all these issues, and obviously, he'll be talking about some of these matters during his confirmation hearing,'' McClellan had said earlier. ``But the president appointed Commissioner Kerik because he knows he is someone who is firmly committed to helping us win the war on terrorism and make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect the homeland.''
Taser was one of many companies that received consulting advice from Kerik after he left his job as New York City police commissioner in 2001, when he was earning $150,500 a year.
Partnering with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani or operating independently, Kerik has had business arrangements with manufacturers of prescription drugs, computer software and bulletproof materials, as well as companies selling nuclear power, telephone service, insurance and security advice for Americans working abroad.
The man who led the New York Police Department on Sept. 11, 2001, has been praised effusively by Senate Republicans and Democrats for his management during and after the attacks. In Iraq in 2003, Kerik served as interior minister under the Coalition Provisional Authority, the Pentagon-run occupation authority.
Federal ethics rules say executive branch employees should avoid participating in decisions where their impartiality could be questioned, unless they receive approval from an agency ethics official.
Kerik's office said he was not available for comment for the story about his financial dealings. But a White House spokesman, Brian Besanceney, had said earlier that the nominee would avoid any possible conflict of interest.
``Commissioner Kerik is committed to the highest ethical standards and will divest all his holdings in Taser upon Senate confirmation to avoid a conflict of interest,'' Besanceney said. ``In order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict, he will comply with all ethics laws and rules to avoid actions that affect former clients or organizations where he served as a director.''
Clinton's the one who's brother said had a vacuum cleaner for a nose. I have no way of knowing of course, but I'd be willing to wager a small sum that Clinton chopped up lines in the Oval Office.
This is a big loss for us. I really thought the nanny gotcha was over since EVERYFREAKINGBODY seems to be hiring illegals now. But I have this sense that Kerik has a past and there may be some things in there that he doesn't think he can get past the committee or the search engine that would be developed to get him by the disloyal media.
Dammit anyway though. We NEEED a TOUGH GUY in that position and I was so happy Kerik had been nominated. I hope to heck he picks someone else with some intestinal fortitude, but if not Rudy, I don't know who else would be as good. This is very disappointing to me.
Bush said "I will not talk about it" and stuck to his guns. The best they've been able to find was the DUI from Kennebunkport. He doesn't deny that he used to drink and it was a problem for him and he quit when he turned 40. He has never called himself an alcoholic. And, as far as I know, never admitted anything about illegal drug use.
With all the GOOD candidates for the job why should the MAJORITY Party accept one with so much lawbreaking in his background?
Accepting candidates with that much bad in their background including on the job is something the rats do not the GOP.
Lawbreakers should not be in charge of protecting our Country!
This is the party of Moral values, so yes that would look real good having someone who himself breaks the law.
There's a difference between the independent contractors that would come over on their own schedule and spend an hour or two a week cleaning your house, and the nanny who probably sleeps in a spare bedroom. The latter is clearly a 'household employee' under the laws governing the taxation of such employees, and your situation is no different from dealing with a business that has hired illegals, you weren't the one violating tax laws. Just my guess, but I used to be an Enrolled Agent many years ago.
I don't hold Kerik responsible for what his wife did while he was serving our country in the military overseas, how much control does anybody expect the guy to have? Also, didn't this occur before all the nanny scandals came out early on in the Clinton years? A larger number of Republicans were guilty of the same thing than we'd like to admit.
Over at DU, the DUmmies are going on about how Kerik thinks that something's coming down the pike as far as a terror attack, and that he's using this as an excuse for not being at the helm when it hits. That's on the far fringes of lunatic, but is it possible that there is some other reason he's withdrawing? I can't imagine that a Republican Senate would fail to approve him for something his wife did while he was overseas. Any Rats who have a problem with it could be shut up just by saying the words, "Kimba Wood".
Anybody else have a nagging suspicion that there are other reasons for Kerik to withdraw?
In a town where the law is being routinely broken and is without respect, find the meanest and most disrespectful lawbreaker, and make him sheriff, after telling him this is the way to get rid of the competition.
Most of the remaining bad guys will either be in Boot Hill taking a dirt nap, or riding the stage or train out of town within six months to a year.
Then try to cage that sheriff before he gets so entrenched NOBODY will be able to remove him.
Unaware of the coke use. Reference?
I've answered a smiliar question already. Please view the replies to my post.
TBG
Saying that something is a rumor is different than saying something that occurred. Are you telling me you've never heard this rumor? Do a google and you'll see...
When are the Republicans going to learn to stick to their guns?
It's not a matter of Republicans sticking to their guns in this case. Kerik is undefendable. Ideally, we want people who are above reproach. The type of people that you listed are not the type of people that should be emulated. They didn't step down or apologize because they lack integrity.
This happened while he was IN IRAQ training the Iraqi Police! May be you haven't experienced being out of the country, and leaving your wife behind to take care of things. It brings a whole new perspective to life.
When are the Republicans going to learn to stick to their guns? When are they going to realize that they are the majority party?
Good list. You omitted the fact that tasers are supposed to be safe but have killed 76 people. Why do I think there must be lots more.
=== Prsident Bush never has said that he used coke, where do you get your information?
From Bush, of course.
He has never said he "never" used coke. He's only looked to the skies and counted on his fingers as the press narrowed it down to "last 10 years", "during your father's presidency", etc.
There's time for politics ... there's time for politics ... there's a time for politics ... but it's ABSURD this guy didn't get more help in hurdling what should have been ace in the hole responses to grilling on the coke issue and other hot button items well before his first campaign even began.
Beats me, man. Why don't you ask him? Sheesh.
I never said I "never" killed anyone by chopping them to bits with an axe. With your "logic," that makes me an axe murderer. Sheesh...
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