We Will NOT Forget
Byron York’s latest article in the DC Examiner asks an important question for conservatives, though it isn’t framed that way. Here’s what’s bothering Byron:
Can Republicans in Congress get to the bottom of President Obama’s sudden, and suspicious, decision to fire AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin? The answer is no, unless some Democrats show interest in what could possibly be the first scandal, or at least mini-scandal, of the Obama administration.
In dismissing Walpin, the president seemed to trample on the law, a law he himself had co-sponsored as a senator, that protects inspectors general from political influence and retribution. In addition, it appears that at least part of the reason Walpin was fired was for the tenacity he showed in investigating misuse of AmeriCorps money by a friend and supporter of the president, Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento, California. Walpin got the goods, evidence of Johnson’s serious misuse of federal dollars, and the inspector general ended up getting fired for his troubles.
Byron York is now reporting that Claire McCaskill is criticizing President Obama for his terminating Mr. Walpin. That essentially means that President Obama is perched on a thin limb with no support in sight.
Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill has become the first Democrat to question the White House over the firing of AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin. McCaskill, who, like Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, is a champion of inspectors general, co-wrote the 2008 legislation requiring the president to give 30 days’ notice, and cause, before firing an inspector general. In a statement released this afternoon, McCaskill says that the reason the president gave for firing Walpin, that the president no longer has “the fullest confidence” in Walpin, is, in McCaskill’s words, “not sufficient.” And McCaskill is calling on the White House to offer a fuller explanation as soon as possible. Here is McCaskill’s statement:
The White House has failed to follow the proper procedure in notifying Congress as to the removal of the Inspector General for the Corporation for National and Community Service. The legislation which was passed last year requires that the president give a reason for the removal. “Loss of confidence” is not a sufficient reason. I’m hopeful the White House will provide a more substantive rationale, in writing, as quickly as possible.
I’m not a fan of Claire McCaskill’s but she’s right about this. There’s no arguing with her this time.
President Obama has shown too much willingness to ignore the rule of law thus far. This time, he ignored a law that he co-sponsored. Previously, he ignored bankruptcy laws to get a favorable ’settlement’ for the UAW. Prior to that, he nominated one tax cheat after another to his cabinet.
This time, he ignored the law to send a message to IGs everywhere. That unmistakable message was “Don’t go after my allies or I’ll terminate you.’
President Obama’s firing of Mr. Walpin isn’t an impeachable offense but it isn’t nothing, either. It’s the type of troubling behavior that John Q. Public shouldn’t tolerate. It’s the type of behavior that turns off good government liberals and chases away conscientious independents.
Technorati Tags: Cronyism, Termination, Corruption, President Obama, Claire McCaskill, Gerald Walpin, Inspector General, Rule Of Law, We The People
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog