White House says Bush backs HUD secretary (after apology)

[sabra]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/14564792.htm

White House says Bush backs HUD secretary
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson won President Bush's support on Friday after apologizing for making up a story about punishing a potential HUD contractor who had criticized the president.

"Alphonso Jackson has admitted that what he said earlier was improper, that it was a mistake and the president accepts that and still supports a man with whom he's had a long and close relationship," White House press secretary Tony Snow said.

Jackson had issued an apology Wednesday for telling a Dallas business group that he had rejected a HUD contract because the contractor had criticized Bush. He said he had made up the story.

"I deeply regret the anecdotal remarks I made at a recent Texas small business forum and would like to reassure the public that all HUD contracts are awarded solely on a stringent merit-based process," Jackson said in a statement. "During my tenure, no contract has ever been awarded, rejected, or rescinded due to the personal or political beliefs of the recipient."

[VegasWolf]

1. Wink! Wink! Nod! Nod! nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Oh now he says he made it up?

Man do they ever NOT lie??

How can anyone not see how absolutey immoral (and unChristian) these people are?

[Atman]

3. I don't think Jackson was lying then. I think he is now, though.

The question is, WHY?

Why would Bush still want him? What were the threats made, from which direction. This is an odd one.

[lumpy]

8. Appears that he was warning

the business group that they better support the prez if they want response from HUD. After reading the article 2+2=4. Jackson just doing his little part to support the president. Another parasite doing dirty deeds.

[SpiralHawk]

4. More Bush & Co. Bullshit

We Americans have heard quite enough BS from you, Mr. AWOL-in-Chief

[badgerpup]

5. Uh-huh...

Pull the other one. It's got bells on.
:eyes:

Wish there was a pants-on-fire icon...gods, that would be getting a lot of use right about now, ya think?

[warrens]

6. The kiss of death

As soon as Bush "supports" you, you're toast. The only reason this isn't front page news is that they're doing so many worse things.

[GOTV]

7. Has anyone come forward to say....

... that he's the one who was denied a HUD contract for criticising Bush?

[lumpy]

10. Let's hope this 'cute' story has legs.

You support my boss or you won't get any perks. Bow down if you want your cookie.

[GOTV]

21. Thing is...

... if Jackson't original story is true, which Jackson denies, I would expect the guy who was denied the HUD contract would come forward.

As time goes on and no one does come forward, I suspect that Jackson was lying originally and is telling the truth now.

But, on the other hand, I suppose it's possible that the jilted guy doesn't know he's the guy. It could be Jackson didn't pull the contract in front of him and admit that the guy's anti-Bush stance was the excuse. He could have politely listened to the guys views and then denied the contract later for some fabricated reason.

[habitual]

9. Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? n/t

[Virginia Dare]

11. I sure do sleep well at night knowing...

that the shrub has restored honesty and integrity to the White House again like he promised.

Yep, heckuva job, Chimpy.

:puke:

[jarab]

12. A lie is now called an "anecdotal remark". (eom)

...O...

[KansDem]

14. Kind of like the "tight pussy, loose shoes, and a warm place

to shit" comment from Earl Butz in 1976:

Butz allegedy uttered the following comment while on board Air Force One during Ford's 1976 re-election campaign, "I'll tell you what the coloreds want. It's three things: first, a tight pussy; second, loose shoes; and third, a warm place to shit." American newspapers and news magazines wanted to cover this, especially after the resulting scandal resulted in his firing, but they felt that the statement was too obscene and offensive to print. Some paraphrased, saying for example that Butz had commented on the desire of black Americans to have "good sex, comfortable shoes, and a warm place to go the bathroom." Others stated that he had said something too obscene to print, and invited their readers to contact the editors if they wanted more information. The negative publicity from the statement forced Butz to resign from his Cabinet post on October 4, 1976.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Butz

If Butz were alive today, no doubt Bush would have referred to this comment as "sage but earthy, if not a tad too controversial, wisdom" and would praise it as evidence that free speech is alive and well in America.

[lumpy]

22. I remember Butz resigning.

Jackson should resign with a charge for making not-so-subtle threats.

[habitual]

13. Cmon is this not funny?

These people are making total asses of themselves at this point. I honestly can't think about this without laughing. True it is sad that there are still a few out there that buy it, but by and large, everyone sees through this shit now and it just makes them look worse, that is what is so funny about it.

Cmon it is a 5 year old that deals with an issue like this. hahahahahaha 'well, uh, you know when i said that i denied that contract because someone didn't support bush, well, uh, i was lying so it didn't really happen, ok?'

someone send bush to his room by himself to think about it for a while.... :)

[lumpy]

18. Not funny to a small businessman

who waits forever for response from HUD. 'Don't say anything against Geo.W.Bush or we'll ignore your request for assistance'.

[habitual]

19. I totally agree

and luckily, even in some of the worst of times, a smile can equalize things a bit. the injustice and corruption are damaging this country and most who live in it greatly. But in the midst of it all, humor can be found. :)

[lumpy]

26. Running out of smiles when Bush is mentioned.

Not picking on anyone here. I agree a good laugh does help relieve tension.

[yellowcanine]

15. Wasn't there an aide who supported Jackson's original "story"?

Said the contractor in question was abusive, etc., etc. Was she/he lying also?

[truthisfreedom]

16. how terribly sad. everything is imploding in bushville... a moment of

silence please.











BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

sorry, i gobbed just a bit.

[kurth]

17. "No contract has ever been rejected or rescinded due to personal beliefs"

LIAR.

[lumpy]

20. Pants on Fire.

Anyone looking for a small business loan would think this is serious shit and might squelch chances of getting a loan. Threats are serious and the Bush-bender should be demoted to the basement or better yet, fired.

[stanwyck]

23. The guy should be fired. Period.

Bush needs to show some leadership...some of that CEO bravado he likes to push on his fawning base - aka "the back wash".
This is an ugly story. An ugly little fable for a democratic society.
It's termination time, Mr. CEO President.
Show some spine. Quit posturing like a bad actor playing Mr. Biggedy Big Businessman. And DO SOMETHING for a change.

[truthisfreedom]

25. i disagree. let him keep patting bad men on the head and saying "there-

there, it's okay, i still love you." what this guy Alphonso did was so eggregious that it numbs the mind! this is a very stressed-out administration, and they're tripping and faltering every day. let them stumble!

[Boomer]

24. Doesn't matter what he was lying about

Either way, he created an atmosphere of intimidation. Whether or not he actually rejected a contract, his CLAIM that he did sent a powerful message to those businessmen.

The bully tactic is as indefensible as the act itself.

[stanwyck]

27. very Mafioso

like he's shaking people down for contracts.
Nice. From the administration that prides itself on squeaky, clean "Christian" values.