Baucus kept relationship from Justice Department and White House

[cal04]

http://rawstory.com/2009/12/baucus-didnt-disclose-relatoinship-to-doj-officials-while-recommending-gifrlfriend/

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) did not disclose to the Justice Department anything about his personal relationship with a woman he recommended to be a United States Attorney, according to a Department official involved in the selection of federal prosecutors.

Baucus has acknowledged that he recommended his girlfriend, Melodee Hanes, to be the U.S. attorney for Montana, but it has not been previously known whether he or his staff told Justice Department officials about the relationship at the time of his recommendation. An official involved in the vetting of U.S. attorneys says that Baucus did not—a disclosure that may escalate questions about Baucus’ conduct.

Baucus, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, submitted Hanes’ name and that of two other Montana attorneys to be U.S. attorney for his state. Senators traditionally nominate three people to the White House, which then considers one or all of them for final appointment.

(snip)
Update: Baucus not only did not inform the Justice Department of his relationship with Hanes while he was pushing her for U.S. attorney, apparently he kept the White House in the dark as well.

[rsmith6621]

1. The Voters Need To Fire Him

....In 2010

[FBaggins]

3. That seat isn't up until 2012 n/t

[FBaggins]

2. So how long do we need to put up with him?

I presume that the governor replaces him if he resigns... Which keeps it in our hands.

I have to be honest and say that I'm not sure I would feel the same way if the gov was republican. I might put up with him until a solid candidate could be run.

I think that Shweitzer is term limited for the 2012 race. That might complicate things if he was hoping for a Senate slot.

[robinlynne]

4. I would love to see this man out of the government!

[Bitwit1234]

5. I thnk he needs to be investigated BUT

I don't think what he did is illegal is it. But what in the world gives Hatch the go ahead to ask to have Baucus investigated when he did not one time call for Ensign to be investigated. While what Ensign did is very illegal. None of the republicans asked that he be investigated. But they jump up and down and get high on their little blue pills when there is a hint of a democrat being out of line. Don't they.

[FBaggins]

6. Yes... It could be illegal.

It's certainly unethical.

I also find it unsurprising that republicans are more interested
in this than in Ensign's similar actions... But "your guy got away with it" isn't a very "sellable" since they answer to different voters.

[bridgit]

7. Baucus is slippery