Rep Mike Castle (R-DE) is not pleased with Lurita Doan, the GSA

[cali]

or WH political manipulation and violation of the Hatch Act. In fact, he's damned pissed off, and sent a letter to bushco telling him just that.

Rep. Mike Castle wants to know how his name ended up in a White House aide's potentially illegal political presentation to General Services Administration employees -- and he's seeking answers in a sharply worded letter to President Bush.

In the aide's presentation, the Delaware Republican was listed as one of 36 GOP lawmakers the White House said it wants to defend in 2008. The political slide show on government time could violate federal law, according to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

The Congressional Research Service found the presentation could violate the federal Hatch Act, prohibiting federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity on federal property or on official duty time.

In his Tuesday letter, Castle asked how and why the list was compiled and what other agencies have received such a briefing.

"I do not condone this practice and I do not appreciate being drawn into this situation," he wrote. "I request that the White House removes my name and Congressional District from this and other similar lists."

<snip>

Read the rest of the article here: (and it's well worth reading)

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/NEWS/704040367

[salin]

1. he gets that this is not an isolated incident... refers to "this and other

similar lists". Good for him!

[cali]

3. Yeah,

and his disgust is palpable. Pretty clear he's not going to ignore this.

[Tyler Durden]

2. I have just fainted.

A rePuke who is at least marginally ethical. Will wonders never cease?

Smelling salts, Quick!

[cali]

4. Here ya go.

*waves smelling salts under Tyler's nose*

Heartening isn't it?

[SpiralHawk]

5. Let's not jump to conclusions about republicons

They have a long, demonstrated track record of disrgarding ethics and morals.

They will have to actually DO something beyond writing a letter, which may very well be a Cover Your Butt excuse, before Americans will believe they have even a wisp of integrity.

[cali]

6. Well, that's true but coming

from a state where Republicans until very recently, have a long distinguished history, I'm willing to believe that there are a few that do still have some integrity. I'm not sure Mike Castle's one of them, but republican Senators from my state were strong advocates of education, social programs and the environment.

Who said, in 1966, "We should declare victory and leave?"

George Aiken, that's who, republican Senator.

[cali]

7. self-delete- dupe

[EST]

8. Sorry, it ain't ethics.

It's the Hatch act. Cut and dried Hatch act violations are subject to some pretty severe penalties.

edit to add:

Penalties for Violating the Hatch Act

An employee who violates the Hatch Act shall be removed from their position, and funds appropriated for the position from which removed thereafter may not be used to pay the employee or individual. However, if the Merit Systems Protection Board finds by unanimous vote that the violation does not warrant removal, a penalty of not less than 30 days' suspension without pay shall be imposed by direction of the Board.

[salin]

9. Yep - and declaring straight out - not a part of it, didn't ask,

won't be a part of it in the future.

It is also about staking out ground apart from Roveco. Not a bad political move per reelections.

[woodsprite]

11. I really like Castle. He's been good for Delaware.

Just wish he was a Dem :) I would be very surprised to think that the WH wanted to "support" or protect is position. He doesn't always tow the repub agenda - which is great! I actually wrote him when we were gearing up for elections and asked him to change parties considering his conscience and morals (he has them - most repubs don't ;). That would be one more Dem in the House!

[lisa58]

10. Good for him...

...it's about time the republicans bitched at this administration's tactics.