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
I would guess that he is one of those people that live in "gray" territory (where right and wrong are difficult if not impossible to delineate). He probably sleeps well because he believes he is only protecting the President from those who are out to get him.
evidently, the fbi
there was a thread posted last night that linked to a cbs13 (sacramento) story - the fbi is investigating johnson
When are the Democrats in congress going to figure out that they are as irrelevant as Republicans to Obama ?
Just what one should expect from the Chicago thugocracy. The Mafia had the “courage” to wipe out underlings, too, knowing the police would not touch them. BO’s gang knows that the msm is not interested in publicizing his political “hits”, either.
Probably ACLU member also!
Yep!
The Bush administration brought up "but Clinton fired 93" as a distraction. It worked great! But at the start of their first terms, Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II all replaced [almost] all sitting US Attorneys. It's not controversial, so it doesn't make news when it happens. Well, Reno made news by asking Mary Jo White to resign, but other than isolated examples like that, the first year/first term, put in who you want is the way things have been done for 30+ years. Obama will do it too - no big deal.
The deal in 2005 is a second term. Some US Attorneys were asked to resign - that was not precedented for a start of second term, although the president obviously has the power to remove them. Beside the fact that resignations were asked at the start of a second presidential term is one "newsworthy" point. The other one, as I mentioned once already but will repeat, is that the president didn't fire them. Some unnamed and so far unknown person decided certain US Attorneys had to go. That ought to be troubling, because it prevents accountability; and may be pushing firing decisions too far down the chain of command. There was another event rolled in there, whereby somebody in the WH managed to get the statutes changed, so replacement US Attorneys could be put by the Attorney General, with no nomination from the president and no confirmation by the Senate. That provision was short-lived.
Their excuses get lamer and lamer!
In the world of the 0Bamaide drinkers; up is down, black is white, night is day, and the truth is whatever the great leaders says it is.
Gunner
Ok, thanks for clearing that up ....
I prefer to think of it as more of an “act of political corruption”...
Whay would it be an act of “political courage” to fire someone who was combative, uncooperative, incompetent, senile, and incoherent, as Eisen has claimed.
Seems to me it would be a no brainer to pink slip someone like that. No courage needed for something so obvious.
I've always said that one day, the rule of politics will trump the rule of law. That day has come. Our politicians are now completely and totally above the law and unaccountable for any actions.
-PJ
Working well with the organization you’re overseeing is not in the job description of an IG. It’s not even a close call.
This is corruption and conspiracy to protect corruption.
Abuse of power is an impeachable offense. Obama should be impeached. Fat chance.
Political courage my ass. Obama and his administration are CORRUPT, this is just the first real hard core public showing of it. Just wait, there will be more.They can’t disguise themselves forever, actions speak louder than words.
What the hell are they smoking in this administration. What a bunch of laughing stocks they are.
Real political courage will come when people have the guts to confront and impeach Obama for his violations and corruption regarding his oath as POTUS.
Bush fired them for "political" reasons, actually policy reasons, they were not putting emphasis on the kinds of cases Bush wanted pursued. It would have been at least irresponsible for Bush not to have fired them. It is the President's job to set priorities and make policy.
Already answered in previous post to me but thanks ....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.