Democrats Criticize Removal of 2 Staff Members

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 - Two senior staff members of the House ethics
committee are being removed from their jobs by the new chairman,
drawing criticism from Democrats and others who said the changes
reflected continued retaliation for actions taken last year against
the majority leader, Tom DeLay.

The committee chairman, Representative Doc Hastings of Washington, has
decided not to retain John Vargo, staff director and chief counsel of
the panel responsible for enforcing House rules, along with Paul
Lewis, spokesman for the panel, which admonished Mr. DeLay last year
in three instances.

Ed Cassidy, chief of staff to Mr. Hastings, said the chairman was
following the standard practice of choosing new senior staff members
to "ensure that a new chairman and the entire committee staff can work
together cooperatively, confidentially and productively."

"Anyone suggesting these decisions were made for partisan reasons is
flat-out wrong," Mr. Cassidy said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/17/politics/17ethics.html

post it. No more nice guy. Ever.

:kick:

we would target Doc Hastings as they did Daschel.

Are you paying attention, Washington DU'ers?

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/021705/brief2.html

Ethics firings decried

House Democrats and government watchdog groups yesterday lambasted Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), the newly appointed ethics committee chairman, for firing two senior aides from the panel.

Hastings dismissed staff director and chief counsel John Vargo and counsel Paul Lewis.

“Chairman Hastings’ firing of two highly respected members of the committee’s professional staff is one more step in the elimination of consideration of ethical violations in the House of Representatives,” said Hoyer.

Hastings could not be reached for comment.

Alexander Bolton

...talking about this.

Ho-hum- one more Bush scandal ignored by Democrats.

Oh- but they "wrote a letter"- wow- they wrote a letter. What a great way to make sure no one ever hears about this.

What would work would be for Dean, Kerry, Obama and Hillary to go on TV and demand to know "What are the Republicans are hiding."

That would require a spine!

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/opinions/story/6128626p-6010182c.html

Ethics panel promotion means test for Hastings

This story was published Sunday, February 6th, 2005

<snip>

Now, in the wake of Hefley's ouster, Hastings is under a national microscope. While Republicans cite his seniority and reputation for fairness as reason for the promotion, Democrats and watchdog groups charge that Hastings is at the helm to do Hastert's bidding and protect DeLay. Those labels are not news to Hastings' constituents here in the Tri-Cities. He has long shown himself to be a party stalwart, a lawmaker more tied to the process and party politics than to any particular issue.

When that charge arose in his re-election campaign last year, Hastings defended himself by arguing that a loyal Republican is what his district wants and needs. He said he can take better care of his district by amassing clout in the majority party. Indeed, the ethics committee job -- not a favorite among lawmakers -- appears to put Hastert in Hastings' debt and could lead to the chairmanship of the Rules Committee, which decides whether legislation lives or dies.

<snip>

Hastings, in a statement, pledged to carry out the job "without regard to friendship, favor or political party." Whether he is able to fulfill that commitment and still keep party leadership happy is uncertain. But more important will be his ability to stay connected with his district, given his newfound prestige.

<snip>

How Hastings balances his service to the nation with his obligation to his district will be just as telling as how he maneuvers to be true to both his party and the ethical standards Americans expect of their elected leaders.

Why admonish poor Delay when they can just fire the conscientious members who do their jobs?

Not surprised at all.