Posted on 06/18/2009 11:54:03 AM PDT by MaestroLC
A top White House lawyer called the firing of AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin an act of "political courage," according to House Republican aides who were in a meeting with the lawyer Wednesday.
Norman Eisen, who is the White House Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform, met with staffers for Rep. Darrell Issa, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Wednesday. Eisen, along with another White House staffer who accompanied him, "wanted to talk broadly about inspectors general," says a GOP aide familiar with what went on at the meeting. "When we pressed them on specific questions and documents, they said they weren't prepared to give us information on that."
In one exchange, according to the GOP aide, the White House lawyers explained that inspector general Walpin was not working well with the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, and the administration believed that IGs should work well with the leadership of their agencies. Eisen said he knew that removing Walpin might be seen as an action that would raise questions. "But [Eisen] said that what they did in trying to fix the situation was an act of political courage -- and 'political courage' is the phrase they used," says the aide.
Republicans, along with a few Democrats, have been concerned about the White House's methods in removing Walpin. The law requires the president to give Congress 30 days' notice, plus the cause for the firing of an inspector general. In Walpin's case, the White House called Walpin out of the blue, gave him one hour either to resign or be fired, and only later notified Congress, and then without giving any cause for its action. Only later, after a lone Democrat, Sen. Claire McCaskill, said the White House "failed to follow the proper procedure" and
“We are proud to defend our corrupt practices and we have the political courage to fire the whistleblowers”
about as much political courage as littleman’s attack on Gov.Palin’s family
They admit it! He was fired for political reasons and not job performance.
Then why didn’t the MSM get their thongs in a twist over Bush firing 8 AG’s but nothing over Clinton firing all of them when he took office?
>> A top White House lawyer called the firing of AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin an act of “political courage,”
Corruption is Courage.
War is peace
Freedom is slavery
Ignorance is strength
On another note, it seems they have changed their story from “Walpin is suffering from dementia!” to “Walpin does not play well with others!”.
Should have said “Political Suicide”.
Sort of like swatting flies.
Maybe they're already getting cocky enough that, if we fight this IG firing, we can reign them in a bit.
The left always overreaches and this might be the fight to knock them back on their heels for awhile.
Probe one...of another forty before 2012. I can’t see how you avoid not appointing an investigator and having to face some senate committee to explain how “political courage” really works.
It does take some courage to break the Law, especially if you once endorsed the same law you broke as Senator.
Couragous Crook ?
Barky’s digging his own grave!
It appears that the breaking of laws is of no concern to the Obama administration. A massive double standard. Be they Constitutional laws, or not. Also, fascism and oppression also seem to be “in vogue” as well. Are we looking at another version of Venezuela here?? Seems that way.
Thugocracy in action.
Exactly.
With all of the maggots occupying the White House, a few flies are no surprise.
posted by Gator113
So, “Working Well” with the leadership means nodding your head and agreeing with them?
An IG should have a reasonably adversarial relationship with the leadership. He should make sure they are following the law and not wasting taxpayer money.
;>)
Maybe refusing to go along with Obama's grand scheme for the nation is a mark of political courage too.
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