TPM: Hastert's Chief of Staff Is In A Heap of Trouble (Scott Palmer)

[Oilwellian]

Remember that Kirk Fordham, one-time Chief of Staff to Mark Foley (R-FL), resigned Wednesday as Rep. Tom Reynolds' (R-NY) Chief of Staff and promptly announced that he had warned Hastert's staff about Foley's page problem as far back and 2003. Specifically, he said he repeatedly asked Hastert's Chief of Staff, Scott Palmer, to take action to deal with Foley.

Palmer promptly denied it.

Now, according to the Post, another congressional staffer has come forward to say that Fordham is telling the truth and Palmer is lying.

And the piece in the Post also touches on this topic we discussed back on October 1st. Jeff Trandahl, you'll remember, is the former House Clerk who, along with Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), had the sit-down with Foley in late 2005 ...



Trandahl's departure came within days of his confrontation with Foley over e-mails that the congressman had sent a former page. House aides say the circumstances of Trandahl's exit were oddly quiet. The departure of a staff member of long standing, especially one as important as the House clerk, is usually marked with considerable fanfare, said Scott Lilly, a former Democratic staff director of the House Appropriations Committee. Debate is suspended in mid-afternoon to accommodate a stream of testimonials from lawmakers.

Trandahl's departure was marked by a one-minute salute from Shimkus and a brief insert into the Congressional Record.

"My one-hour Special Order changed to a five-minute Special Order, now to a one-minute," Shimkus said. "I just want to say thank you for the work you have done."

Lilly said: "He seemed to suddenly disappear in a puff of smoke."


Pretty clear a lotta this story has yet to unfold.

But I guess that's what next week is for.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/010238.php

[fooj]

1. I can hardly wait.

Lying, rat bastards.

[Oilwellian]

2. I can't help but wonder if....

Trandahl is the republican that got this ball rolling. :D

[hvn_nbr_2]

9. You could be on to something there.

After being House Clerk, he became executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a conservation group that, I think, is toward the conservative end of the conservation group spectrum, but still a conservation organization.

This article at their website
http://www.nfwf.org/press/press_050930_jeff_trandahl.cfm
claims that he was well-regarded by both sides of the aisle in the House.

He sounds like a sane and reasonably upright (I don't think I've ever actually used that word before) guy.

[kestrel91316]

3. Ah. The cannibalism begins in earnest.

<insert Hannibal Lecter fava bean and chianti smilie here>

[Oilwellian]

5. hhhhffafafafafa

:D

[aquart]

6. Screw the fava beans. Serve 'em with spinach.

[Erika]

4. What Republicans should answer for Foley?

That certainly isn't a Republican theme. It's all Pelosi's fault.

[Oilwellian]

7. WP link tells more

Hastert maintains that he knew nothing of Foley's actions until last week, when the story first broke and Foley resigned. His stance contradicts that of House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Thomas M. Reynolds (R-N.Y.), both of whom said they had informed Hastert this spring.

Palmer has resolutely said he had no earlier meeting with Foley, and other leadership aides have questioned the truthfulness of Fordham. Fordham quit his job as Reynolds's chief of staff last week after acknowledging that he had tried to persuade ABC News not to publish the salacious instant-message exchanges between Foley and two former pages.

Hastert's office contends that the first confrontation with Foley occurred in November 2005, when Shimkus, the head of the House Page Board, and then-House Clerk Jeff Trandahl took Foley aside to discuss what they termed "over-friendly" e-mails that Foley had sent to a Louisiana boy. Fordham's account not only pushed the matter back at least two years but also indicated that alarms over Foley's behavior had gone well beyond bland e-mails.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100601888.html

I just knew there was more than just the bland emails from the page from Louisiana. Something more caused him to say, "sick, sick, sick."

[hippiechick]

25. y'know, they sure don't know much ...

... From Dimson on down, they want the sheeple to keep electing (cough) them into positions of power and decision making, claiming they're the "grown ups", yet they claim time and time again that they "don't know" when situations and questions are put to them.

Hmmm. Interesting, that. :freak:

[DoYouEverWonder]

45. Funny, before they invaded Iraq

that were so damn cock sure of everything.

[grizmaster]

49. deeper and deeper the cover up goes

[symbolman]

8. What kind of wine goes best with Hastert

besides, "WHINE - I didn't done it, it was da udder guy, yeah, him, he's what done it!"

HAHAHAHAHA -- Next week, Hastart found hanging over a gator pit with ROVE carved into his forhead :)

[Disturbed]

10. All the scum will hang on until after the Election.

They know that it will be a bad omen if the quit now. They will be replaced after the Dems gain the House.

[DemoTex]

12. A crisp, full-bodied Revenge.

Best served cold.

[symbolman]

19. LOL

I LIKE IT!!!

Tart, and sweet all at the same time, with just a HINT of poignancy, goes well with Red Meat, and Pork, even if the Meat has a "fishy" smell :)

[Aviation Pro]

15. Would you like some cheese with that whine?

Ya lying, double-chinned, fat bastard. Here have another hamburger, Whimpy.

[Shakespeare]

23. Why, a Fat Bastard, of course!

[prole_for_peace]

30. oh i know you di'nt....

damn that was a good one.

[banana republican]

41. I prefer a good ale myself

or for the more adventuresome





2005 release 22oz bomber.

Appearance- Ruddy copper with a thick chunky head and lacing that clings slightly.

Smell- Candy malt sweetness with citrus and floral hop notes.

Taste- OMG, this thing is beautiful, so complex it's hard to describe. Sweetness begins the taste with mild carbonation and an alcohol burn. Hops are left to the aftertaste, citrus from mild grapefruit, and a light floral breath at the end. This sucker is smooth too.

Mouthfeel- Slick and smooth, thick and clingy.

Drinkability- At 10% one is enough but it is so incredibly balanced and complex you want more than one. This is what a DIPA should be. It has it's competitors but may well be the best DIPA in the world IMO.


<snip>


<2004 release>

As with the Double Bastard's cousin Arrogant Bastard, D.B. strikes me as a hybrid of several more easily definable styles, mixing elements of Doppelbocks, Barley Wines, Strong Belgian Dark Ales and Imperial Pale Ales. And I ain't complaining...this is the STUFF.

Pours a caramel/amber color crowned with a creamy head that foams like and then forms a light dollop of whipped topping. Modest bubble activity and good-looking but scattered lace.

Smells rich without being overly sweet, lotsa caramel, ripened dark fruits, toffee, grapefruit and...more gooey hot caramel.

Flavors are many--see list of aromas above for the details, and add coffee bean and pineapple to it. Two things impress the most: the insane complexity of the malts and the extremely well-hidden alcohol. The malts here are rich and candy-like without having any kind of cloying sweet-tooth overkill. Just pure pleasure. As for the alcohol %, it doesn't bowl me over with warm vapors the way most 10%+ beers do. This lets those well-balanced flavors breathe and impress. The rich, creamy, velvety feel in the mouth only adds to the huge drinkability and enjoyment factor.

oh man oh man oh man...oh wow. This is a freaking GREAT


****************************************************************

I can't believe these guys are talking about a beer........

[exlrrp]

11. Hastert is right

Like he's trying to say,I think there is someone out there feeding this in tidbit by tidbit to the Republican destruction. I HOPE he's right!
I hope he (or she) is having a wonderful time doing it and I salute and thank you whoever you are wherever you are. You are a true American.

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. I just hope

there's more then one.

[Lucky Luciano]

20. heheh...Wouldn't it be a hoot if we found out why

Hastert really enjoyed being a high school wrestling coach, which is all well and good...but coupled with the Foley thing and his covering it up, it makes ya wonder! HAHAHAHA!

This is a true DU field day...errrr field month! HAHAHA!

[dicknbush]

29. If you can find today's Danzinger cartoon take a look...

It is devastatingly funny Sad but funny.

[maine_raptor]

16. I second that!

and hasten to add; I hope he/she's a Republican!


Schrudenwhatever is soooooo much fun!!!!!!!!!

[Demeter]

17. Now THAT Would Be Creepier Than Foley's Emails

What is there to gain by tearing the GOP apart?

No member of the GOP would want it, they'd rather have hush money (of which we have evidence, or the beginnings thereof).

No Democrat would DARE take such a bold, leadership move (we have solid evidence of THAT).

No, I think Joe Q Citizen just got wind of it, got ticked off, and started this ball rolling and it's turning into an avalanche because the GOP DESERVES IT, DAMMIT!

[Toots]

18. I would suspect a very vindictive Republican

I doubt they give one shit about America but about getting revenge. I would think if the Democrats brought this stuff out they would brag about it and act like a politician that did care about America.

[Imagevision]

14. Palmer, Fordham, --> He says - he says, who do you believe?

[D23MIURG23]

21. Give 'em hell Denny!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[civildisoBDence]

22. Ah, the tangle web you weave

when you sleep with dogs and wake up with fleas. Or something like that.

Newsprism

[dicknbush]

24. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING......WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!

HASTERTS OFFICE FIRST TO SAY THOSE WORDS THAT REPUBS LOVE SO MUCH:

Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean declined to directly comment on the second House staff member's assertion, saying that it is a matter for a House ethics committee investigation.

"THE STANEDARDS COMMITTIEE HAS ASKED THAT NO ONE DISCUSS THIS MATTER BECAUSE OFITS ONGOING INVESTIGATION!"

Bonjean said.

Music to their ears!

[No Exit]

26. Hastert and Palmer live together.

So says Lawrence O'Donnell in Huffingtonpost.

No, I am NOT criticizing two men who work together also living together.

I am, however, perfectly willing to criticize any men who have a personal relationship supporting the GOP--the party that seeks to harm gay people.

I am not saying Hastert and Palmer have such a relationship. I just wonder what, if anything, they MIGHT be hiding--and why they would hide such a thing.

[Qdog]

27. Hastert

Folks it doesn't matter. The right wing Christian Taliban will vote these nuts back in office. After all it's their "moral" duty.

[Clark2008]

43. Maybe Democratic operatives should hold tent revivals the night of voting

to keep the Christian Taliban busy. :evilgrin:

Welcome to DU, QDog. :hi:

[Qdog]

47. Radical Right

Glad to be here Clark 2008. We need to get control of one of the houses for checks and balances. They are trying to turn us into the United Theocracy of America.

[louis-t]

28. Hastert was furious about Congressional office searches.

I have to keep reminding myself. Somehow it ties in.

[Imagevision]

31. So who are you going to believe? Palmer or Kirk Fordham?

[Oilwellian]

32. Ahem....

Now, according to the Post, another congressional staffer has come forward to say that Fordham is telling the truth and Palmer is lying.

I'll raise you one congressional staffer. :D

[Cha]

33. The repukians need to clean House

and see if there's anyone left standing? The red foleyage is falling.

[opihimoimoi]

34. LOL, Love that RED Foleyage phrase....

Come, we go surf....

[Cha]

38. I'm there!

:)

[opihimoimoi]

39. Welcome to the Beach where the Waves are just right for long rides

The Pubs cannot clean house on their own...the People must do it for them....

[Cha]

40. Yeah, I know I was just blowin' air

by suggesting the repukians clean their own House..they're too damn greedy and lazy..so we're gonna have to do for 'em. :nuke:

[YDogg]

48. Reminds me of ...

"Out West, where you vacation, the aspens will already be turning," Mr. Libby wrote. "They turn in clusters, because their roots connect them."

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[INdemo]

36. Karl has that covered..It was the Democrats that forced the staffer to

come forward and say Fordham was telling the truth..this is all part of the conspiracy folk..

[boston bean]

37. so palmer lives with turdy dirdy and he doesn't tell him about Foley??

[malaise]

42. And that is the 64 million dollar question

The answers to date make no sense.

[NVMojo]

44. damn!!

[Independent_Liberal]

46. K&R!

:popcorn: