MORE DIRT ON DASCHLE (AND SPOUSE) Tom Daschle's Hillary Problem

The Washington Monthly ^ | Jan/Feb 2002 edition | Stephanie Mencimer, editor

[Liz]

The landmines in Linda Daschle's professional portfolio will make Hillary Clinton's pork futures and law-firm billings look like mousetraps. For instance, among Linda Daschle's clients is American Airlines, which has had six fatal crashes since 1994 (not even including the World Trade Center flights). The airline has incurred thousands of dollars in federal fines for a host of safety violations, and its employees have been caught in embarrassing drug smuggling stings. Even as its planes have crashed, American has lobbied for years to water down safety and security regulations that might have helped foil the World Trade Center attacks. Yet thanks in part to lobbying efforts by Daschle---and support from her husband---American Airlines got a free pass in the recent airline bailout bill, escaping most legal liability for the hijackings and getting $583 million in cash grants---taxpayer money it will never have to repay.

So there you are. All the corrupt stuff we ever wanted to know about the Daschle's.

[John Jorsett]

Daschle opts out of presidential race

[mg39]

They're almost as bad as Mr. and Mrs. Enron, a.k.a. Phil and Wendy Gramm.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this article.

However, I'm sure that we don't know all about her deals with American Airlines and others.

This is the tip of the iceberg stuff. Over 90% of her behind the scenes activities and funny money stuff is not in this article.

I blame the left wing media for not exposing her. That is their job. If she was the wife of a leading republican, we would know all about her.

[Drewman626]

Good read. I've known about Linda for a while.

I don't frown upon giving business to friends and collegues... happens everyday in the private sector. What I LOATH is the fact that Puff sponsered and approved a bill that LEASED aircraft from American Airlines instead of BUYING them... the LEASED cost was more than the BUY cost... this is wasting taxpayer money. That is Puff giving his wife's client taxpayer money. That I can't stand and THAT should be noted in an Ethics Committee meeting.

[Liz]

FYI

[mh]

and what exactly did Gramm do for enron??

[Henchster]

"..The chat rooms of the popular conservative rant site, Free Republic, are filled with complaints about Linda Daschle's business dealings, a sign that conservatives are paying attention.."

Rant site? Washington Monthly must be liberal. At least FR is recognized - although "mainstream America political forum" is the term I'd rather see used! {;^)

[jimkress]

Thanks. Good info.

[mg39]

Here's your answer: http://www.usasurvival.org/gramm.html

A google search on the Gramm's and Enron will turn up much more.

[bandleader]

Gramm did NOTHING for Enron!His wife was merely a board-member.

[eureka!]

Bump for later, fact laden, Rat corruption reading...

[D. Miles]

Most Americans are smart enough to know that the House and Senate go arm in arm in law making! What urks me so is that she skirts conflict of interest with ease, but my question to her would be..... just where did you leave your moral obligation to your country? The next question would be...How can you stand to look at yourself in the mirror every morning? Tired of political spouses skirting their moral obligations to America for the almighty dollar!

[Quilla]

Great post and interesting read. I'm not buying Linda Daschle's contention that she doesn't lobby the Senate or her Senator husband. I am certain he is influenced to do her bidding from conversations at their dinner table. I know similar conversations certainly influence my husband. Bless his sweet heart, he does everything I ask.

[blackbart1]

What goes around, comes around!

[Bodacious]

Didn't she have something with the purchase of faulty Bomb Scanners....to the point of 1/3 of all purchased by the U.S., as written into an appropriations Bill? I seem to remember that HUBBY pushed real hard for the additional language and that the suspect scanners are presently being used as floor weights.

[Liz]

ping

[Liz]

ping

[Liz]

Yep.