Bush sent federal employees to campaign for GOP/2006

[MissWaverly]

Isn't this supposed to be illegal in a normal universe?

WASHINGTON — The White House sent officials from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to
20 political events featuring vulnerable Republican members of Congress shortly before
the 2006 elections, and at taxpayers' expense.

Is that evidence of improperly politicizing a government office? Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.,
the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is looking into that question.
He sent letters Tuesday to drug czar John P. Walters and former White House Political Affairs
Director Sara Taylor requesting documents and interviews.

His inquiry comes on the heels of an ongoing congressional investigation into the possible
politicization of U.S. attorneys by the Bush administration and after former Surgeon General
Richard H. Carmona testified last week that the White House routinely interfered with his
ability to do his job by imposing political limits on him.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/18074.html

[peacebird]

1. impeach already - good grief.....

[MissWaverly]

3. I still can't believe the stuff that is coming out

and that is with triple layers of secrecy, what is behind the curtain?

[kestrel91316]

2. It's legal. Anything Bush does is by definition legal. I know because he

says so. And that makes it so.

Life is so much simpler with a dictator, isn't it?

[MissWaverly]

5. he reminds me of the french king

My history is a little hazy, but there was a king who required all the aristocrats to be members of the court so they could not
oppose his agendas, they became fawning toadies and real government died.

[kestrel91316]

16. Was that the same French king who wound up in an unfortunate

tete-a-tete with a very sharp guillotine blade along with his lovely queen??

[MissWaverly]

20. Yes, afraid so

[AtomicKitten]

4. I seem to recall the GOP trying to grind Al Gore's ass into the ground

when he made some fund-raising calls from the White House.

This would appear to be that and then some.

Hypocrisy in 3, 2, 1 ...

[MissWaverly]

6. well, it's illegal for one thing

that means that the GOP = the federal government, that can't be. Yes, and I remember all that about Gore and Clinton. Clinton
was grilled for using Christmas cards for political purposes and Al Gore was grilled over using the phone in his office.
Now under Bush, we had a male escort in the White House press room for 2 years w/o adequate credentials.

[AtomicKitten]

7. Remember the investigation over Socks using stamps?

The GOP leaves no stone unturned.

Even the imaginary ones.

[MissWaverly]

8. Yes, 200 hours of investigation for Christmas cards

and I think there has been 8 hours of investigation over Abu Ghraib while GOP was in majority. It pays to have priorities.

[MissWaverly]

9. for the cat fans, I have provided Socks investigation story

GOP Investigated Pres. Clinton’s Cat But only plans oversight on Pres Bush’s
Admitted Illegal Spying


1995-Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), then chair of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, investigated whether taxpayers were footing the cost of stationery and postage for the fan club dedicated to President Clinton’s cat, Socks. (They were not - and it turns out Barbara Bush’s dog Millie had a fan club too.)

2005-Two weeks ago, President Bush admitted he willfully flouted a law that requires him to get warrants before wiretapping U.S. citizens. His justification for ignoring the law appears to be noblesse oblige. In reaction, Republicans in charge of the Senate Judiciary Committee announced on Friday that they are planning “oversight” hearings into the matter.

http://www.pensitoreview.com/2005/12/26/gop-investigated-pres-clintons-cat-but-only-plan-oversight-on-pres-bushs-admitted-illegal-spying/

[MissWaverly]

10. Hatch Act

Okay, this is written in legalese but it seems to me that you are allowed for as a federal employee
as long as it's on your own time and your own dime. If they were paid or their travel was covered,
then it was not allowable.

The Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 (5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326) generally permit most federal employees and full time and part time employees of the U.S. Postal Service to actively participate in partisan political management and in partisan political campaigns...Federal employees are also restricted from: using their official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election..Employees are also prohibited from engaging in any political activity while: on duty; in a government office; wearing a government uniform or insignia; or using a government vehicle.

http://www.osc.gov/documents/hatchact/federal/fha-04.htm

[rasputin1952]

11. Well...it didn't work...

:evilgrin:

Kind of hope the GOP tries that again, we'd gain more seats...:rofl:

[MissWaverly]

12. yes, it's a bummer, when you break all the rules & still lose

[rasputin1952]

13. since bush is an anathema, he sent out his mionions in his stead....

what a pathetic POS this whole admin is...:grr:

[MissWaverly]

18. they have turned the civil service upside down, inside out

It's now we, the in crowd, by the in crowd and for the in crowd.

[glitch]

14. It takes a special brand of fools to lose a game rigged in their favor. But that's Bushco for ya. nt

[MissWaverly]

17. yes, Bush has created a new benchmark for the presidency

one that now has negative numbers

[usregimechange]

15. I can't testify because I once came within 300 feet of the WH.

Therefore I am covered by executive privilege.

[MissWaverly]

19. remember, Bush was talking about a mission to Mars

He really just wants to extend his executive privilege that far.