Emails reveal coordination between Chao, McConnell offices

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

A trove of more than 800 pages of emails sheds new light on the working relationship between Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, one of the most potent power couples in Washington — including their dealings with McConnell supporters from their home state of Kentucky.

Chao has met at least 10 times with politicians and business leaders from the state in response to requests from McConnell’s office, according to documents provided to POLITICO by the watchdog group American Oversight. In some cases, those people later received what they were hoping for from Chao’s department, including infrastructure grants, the designation of an interstate highway and assistance in getting state funds for a highway project — although the documents don’t indicate the meetings led to those outcomes.

The records also do not show how frequently Chao has met with people from outside Kentucky, a state her husband has represented in the Senate since 1985, or how readily she has responded to similar requests from other lawmakers. But at least a dozen of the emails show McConnell’s staff acting as a conduit between Chao and Kentucky political figures or business leaders, some of whom have had prior relationships with the couple.

In one email from Feb. 2, 2017, just days after Chao was sworn in, McConnell’s state director emailed a Chao lieutenant asking the secretary to meet with maritime industry lobbyist Jim Adams about proposed changes to "Buy American, Hire American" requirements for offshore drilling equipment. The lobbyist and his wife, a Kentucky state senator who used to work for McConnell, donated $1,500 to McConnell's 2014 reelection campaign, according to FEC filings.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/19/mitch-mcconnell-elaine-chao-relationship-1163655

[2naSalit]

1. Her scedule shows that she does a ton of

"executive time" too. She seems to never be doing her actual job or the duties described in her official job description.

[onetexan]

6. so this is why turtle man has been so compliant with the Idiot

in exchange for his wife's cushy job doing nothing

[not fooled]

7. Perhaps she has been busy

during the "executive time" making off-the-record contacts/phone calls with lobbyists, insiders, and others who are looting the nation?

I wouldn't be surprised if she uses personal cell phones and email accounts while on the clock performing her "government" job.

Another grifter.

[2naSalit]

8. That's exactly it, along with

keeping a back channel of communication between the WH and her hubby. The are filthy with guilt in this treason. Can't wait until they get theirs.

[democratisphere]

2. The Do Nothing for We the People administration.

Nothing but crooks and liars.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Of course

All kinds of quid pro quo going on.

[KPN]

4. Gee, there's a surprise. McConnell has always been crooked. Remember his land deal a decade ago

or so? He came into the Senate as a middle class person and is now a multi-millionaire at a minimum. He's as corrupt as they come.

[CaptainTruth]

5. This is McConnell's re-election strategy.

He can screw over the whole country, but use "insider influence" with his wife to provide things folks in Kentucky want, so they'll say "he's working for us" & vote for him again.