Alphonso Jackson: Don't Like Bush – Don't Apply (updated)
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Why did HUD secretary, Alphonso Jackson, cancel a promised contract? Because
when Jackson met the guy, he criticized President George W. Bush. I don't know
about you, but this seems like the wrong way to handle government contracts.
But yet, that's exactly the way the HUD secretary is handling himself. Think
Progress has the scoop, with Georgia10
taking us the rest of the way.
But as Think Progress offers today, HUD
is now backing off of Jackson's tale. But it may be a day too late, because
the Democrats have jumped all over the awarding practice under Jackson, which
just so happens to be illegal.
The alibi for Jackson is pure cya. HUD saying the following story was purely “anecdotal”? Here's where Jackson's trouble began. Does it sound anecdotal to you? (Hat tip to reader kija in comments. A link has been added, which includes the cya comments that inference that Jackson was speaking hypothetically, which is obviously what the spokesperson was referring to when the word “anecdote” was used instead.)
“He had made every effort to get a contract with HUD for 10 years,”
Jackson said of the prospective contractor. “He made a heck of a proposal
and was on the (General Services Administration) list, so we selected him.
He came to see me and thank me for selecting him. Then he said something …
he said, 'I have a problem with your president.'“I said, 'What do you mean?' He said, 'I don't like President Bush.'
I thought to myself, 'Brother, you have a disconnect — the president is elected,
I was selected. You wouldn't be getting the contract unless I was sitting
here. If you have a problem with the president, don't tell the secretary.'“He didn't get the contract,” Jackson continued. “Why should
I reward someone who doesn't like the president, so they can use funds to
try to campaign against the president? Logic says they don't get the contract.
That's the way I believe.”HUD
secretary's blunt warning
Alphonso Jackson says deal was scuttled after contractor admits not liking
Bush
U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg has has called for Jackson's
resignation, with Representatives Henry A. Waxman and Rep. Barney Frank
calling for an investigation of HUD contracting practices during Jackson's tenure.
Georgia10
leads us to the bottom line of all things in Jackson's
world, which lead to Bush in all directions. He's a pioneer and long time
supporter, which is fine. What Jackson cannot legally do, however, is punish
people who don't like the president.
Now that HUD is covering for Jackson, trying to get him out of this mess, you've
really got to wonder if you can trust them. Since they've lied
before to cover their tracks, I'd say the answer is no.
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