Baucus Nominated Girlfriend for U.S. Attorney

[Hissyspit]

Source: Roll Call

Baucus Nominated Girlfriend for U.S. Attorney
By John Stanton
Roll Call Staff
Dec. 4, 2009, 10:32 p.m.

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ office confirmed late Friday night that the Montana Democrat was carrying on an affair with his state office director, Melodee Hanes, when he nominated her to be U.S. attorney in Montana.

According to a source familiar with their relationship, Hanes and Baucus began their relationship in the summer of 2008 – nearly a year before Baucus and his wife, Wanda, formally separated in April. The Senator has since divorced his wife.

Hanes ended her employment with Baucus in the spring of this year.

Hanes, who is divorced and now lives with Baucus in the Eastern Market neighborhood of Washington, D.C., ultimately withdrew her name from consideration for the U.S. attorney position in order to move to Washington, and she now works in the Justice Department’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as a counselor to the administrator.

Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/41188-1.html?ET=rollcall:e6074:80052652a:&st=email

[Bitwit1234]

1. Call for his resignation

get this blue dog out of the senate. He is the kind of person we know is in the pocket of the insurance company...kick him out quick..the blue dirty dog.

[jasi2006]

49. This is a non-story.

Separated, divorced, girlfriend turned down job offer. Move on.

[mod mom]

51. Abuse of power!

[ingac70]

52. No it isn't.

Fuck that slimy bastard. Apparently the Insurance lobby isn't the only one he is in bed with.

[24601]

53. BS that it's not important - Freddy robbed a bank and offered

some of the money to Mary, who refused.
- Freddy told the FBI that it's wasn't a big deal because Mary didn't participate in his crime.
- The FBI didn't give a rat's ass and Freddy still went to Jail for 20 years.

sound too far fetched to be true? here's the real story...

John, a nobody, not even a Senator, was obsessed with Jodi.
- In order to impress her, he shot the President.
- Jodi wants nothing to do with John, even after the shooting.
- It was a very big deal - the biggest deal going at the time.

While not the biggest story today, it's still a big deal almost 30 years later. Every time John or his family try for greater freedom, the government is right there opposing is.

[marshall]

54. Yeah, at least the girlfriend has morals

Why not have HER run for the seat?

[DJ13]

2. Uh oh

Bye Baucus!

(You rightwing asshat!)

[Beartracks]

3. Where's the facepalm smiley?

Ah, here we go.

[imdjh]

4. Arghhh! This is the kind of shit we have, supposedly on our team.

[Hissyspit]

5. Not as bad as Gov. Sanford, but still sucky.

[notesdev]

8. It's not?

Nominating one's girlfriend to be a U.S. Attorney is pretty damn high up there on the corruption scale.

Sanford was an ethical failure but at least that failure didn't also act to corrupt our judicial system too.

[Hissyspit]

10. Yes, I was thinking in terms of hypocrisy not corruption. Should have been clearer.

[notesdev]

18. I agree with that...

but as far as what affects you and me more in real terms, corruption is far far more damaging.

[Hissyspit]

20. Yes, and he's a Senator not a state governor.

[Yupster]

38. Give Governor Sanford some points for

an original storyline, exotic locations, and the intriguing mix of foreign hotties and rustic Appalachia.

This new story is just a politician giving his girlfriend a job.

No originality at all.

[No Elephants]

62. How do you figure it's not as bad as Sanford? Both had affairs, but only

Baucus attempted to use his position as a Senator to get "the other woman" a prestigious position.

[Hissyspit]

64. I already posted about that above.

I meant that Sanford was more hypocritical based on his strict fundamentalist "family values" moralist facade and his attacks on homosexual civil rights, not necessarily less corrupt than Baucus.

Baucus, as far as I'm aware, began his relationship with Hanes AFTER he seperated from his wife. I didn't mean that I thought Baucus wasn't a world-class jerk and didn't do anything unethical.

[UpInArms]

what a chickenshit piece of garbage

these cretins just keep 'em coming, don't they?

don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Max.

[rwheeler31]

6. This is a story?

[lamp_shade]

37. That was my first thought.

[karynnj]

7. How do these politicians think they can get away with things like this?

This is unethical and if it can be proven they had a relationship then - he should join his fellow Finance committee member, Ensign, dealing with an ethics investigation.

[notesdev]

9. Practice

This is probably minor league compared to other stuff he and his colleagues have done.

[salguine]

17. 'Cause they routinely DO get away with "things like this".

[clixtox]

46. Tradition! N/T

[Blasphemer]

11. Why am I not surprised? nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

12. I am not sure which I find more disturbing --

that Baucus attempted to get his mistress a job or that Baucus found a woman who wanted to have sex with him. :puke:

On edit:

Is this the first salvo from some pro-healthcare congresscritter/administration staff member to those Dems who are attempting to derail real heathcare reform?? Is this a horse-head-in-the-bed warning being sent??

[karynnj]

19. I very much doubt it

You could make the opposite comment that it is a healthcare lobbyist warning him. (As state director, I have no idea if she had involvement in his campaigns or fundraising.)

[rhett o rick]

13. Isnt Butkiss a republicant? Cant we give him to them? nt

[camera obscura]

14. Baucus should resign and Schweitzer should appoint himself

It's never happening, but I can dream.

[bluestateguy]

15. Resign!! And let Gov. Schweitzer appoint a pro-public option Democrat to the seat!!

nt

[John Q. Citizen]

32. Why stop there? The Gov already said that if it were up to Montanan's we'd get single payer.

Baucus has his hands deep in the pockets of the health care industrial complex and most of the state knows it.

If the only problem with Baucus was his love life, it might be different.

We need Tester to support the Sanders Amendment since it lets Montanans have more choices and options to get the kind of system we want to live with.

Jon Tester needs to give Mr Bernie Sanders proposal some consideration.

[Arkana]

16. NO YOU CAN'T TALK TO A MONTANA DEMOCRAT WE FIRED THEM ALL OVER THE WEEKEND

BECAUSE THEY KEPT FUCKING UP

[RufusTFirefly]

21. Too late. Baucus has already accomplished his mission

And he will undoubtedly be paid handsomely for it.

More than anyone in the Senate, he succeeded in keeping single-payer off the table. (See Baucus's Raucous Caucus) The news that he is corrupt (gee, what a shock!) comes too late to be relevant.

Look for Baucus to star as a lobbyist for some facet of the health care industrial complex. Following in the footsteps of Billy Tauzin.

[ProSense]

22. Nope. Baucus failed to thwart a public option. He failed, and

the bill still can be improved upon.

[RufusTFirefly]

26. Ok. If you say so. I'll keep clapping my hands and believing in fairies

[No Elephants]

63. I doubt single payer was ever really destined for the table, in the Senate or anywhere..

HR 676 was introduced in 2003 and had about a hundred co-sponsors. It never even made it to the Congressional Budget Office. Obama campaigned on public option, not single payer. Etc.

Not trying to defend POS Backus, here, but I don't think we can blame him for the demise of single payer.

[Aramchek]

23. out with the Baucus, in with the New!

[Bozita]

24. When Max goes down, I want him wearing his NASCAR uniform with all the appropriately-sized decals.

Max is a money whore.

[L. Coyote]

25. Sen. Vitter calls for Baucus resignation

:rofl: kidding :rofl:

[Turbineguy]

27. So does this mean

that if I nominate a Woman to take over my job I must be having an affair with her? I mean I'd hate to ruin what little reputation I have and not get any nookie out of it.

[DeSwiss]

28. I, for one, am glad that at least......

...there are no diapers involved here. Now GO! Max.



Max and Melodee sittin' in a tree......

- K&R

[mcablue]

29. He should face an ethics rebuke

That's favoritism and conflict of interest.

[SpiralHawk]

45. Well, if Bacchus (snigger) is acting like a Republicon...

and expressing republicon family values

Then he should get the same punishment republicons mete out to their tRaNsgReSSorS: A Standing Ovation.

[MilesColtrane]

30. Strip him of the chair.

Threaten impeachment, then cut a deal to just censure him IF he gets on board with the Congressional Democratic majority's position on all legislation.

[24601]

55. No such thing as impeachment for Members of Congress. The

accurate process is expulsion.

Impeachment applies to the Executive and Judicial Branches.

[MilesColtrane]

58. Since there's been no amendment or Supreme Court decision specifically stating...

that a Senator is not a "civil officer of the United States", the House did, and could impeach one again.

Of course, the Senate would likely refuse the trial, or dismiss the charges again.

[24601]

60. By what fiction would a senator ever be "civil"? n/t

[MilesColtrane]

61. A Capraesque fiction?

You are right.

Senators are not civil officers.

I guess that makes the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 unconstitutional.

I wonder why no one's ever taken that to court.

[Miss Authoritiva]

31. Goodness!

What is it about DC? Less than ordinary looking -- some might not uncharitably say homely -- persons get elected or appointed or staffed or whatever and bam! they start farkin' up a storm.

[CreekDog]

33. Well, based on this news, I'm guessing someone in the health care industry is now blowing him

:wtf: :banghead:

:grr:

[sandnsea]

34. Baucus is after a job

He'll never be elected. Denny Rehburg will run against him and win easily. Only chance we have to keep that seat is if Brian Schweitzer runs for Senate, and he just might.

[Hubert Flottz]

35. K&R

Maxed out!

[Plucketeer]

36. Bye-Bye Red Dog!

:hi:"Buh-bye!"

[gateley]

39. Baucus Nominated Girlfriend for Post, Aide Says

Source: New York Times

Filed at 1:09 a.m. ET

HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus says the Montana Democrat was in a romantic relationship with the woman he nominated for U.S. attorney.

Spokesman Ty Matsdorf says Baucus and his former state office director Melodee Hanes began the relationship in the summer of 2008. Baucus nominated Hanes for the U.S. attorney post last March, but she later withdrew her name.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/05/us/AP-US-Baucus-Girlfriend-Nominated.html?_r=1&hp

---

Nothing more at the link -- this is it.

[keroro gunsou]

40. whatta maroon

seriously.

[CreekDog]

41. This doesn't change my opinion of him

I already thought he was an ass. :eyes:

[gateley]

42. Ha! Ditto. nt

[Jack Rabbit]

43. Boughtkus in a romantic relationship?

Well, it's nice to know he doesn't sleep with only health insurance execs.

[havocmom]

44. Max's spokesman blew the whistle on this?

:rofl: Have always figured he had problems dealing effectively with his staff. Years of calling them make me think none of them are happy in their work. They certainly aren't constructive in communication with us lowly constituents. I have yet have one be anything but curt and I am professional and very nice when I call.

That kind of attitude comes from the top. Max doesn't care about anybody but Max and it shows in so many ways. While I wish him no ill, I know a couple of Montana horses I would like to see him try to ride.

[FlyByNight]

47. Corrupt to the core

Does Congress actually wonder why their approval ratings are so damn low?

:eyes:

[Hubert Flottz]

48. Did anybody check his diaper?

Or check to see if he was wanted out West for gerbil rustling or anything?(Better check out his stance)

Edit...Maybe Chuck Ghastly was blackmailing the good senator when he took sides with the GOPers in his committee.(perhaps his political immunity was compromised by this black cloud hanging over him?)

[Algorem]

50. so whut he makes her buy all her own bandaids and stuff.

[mstinamotorcity]

56. He is not the first

to have a relationship with a member of his team. But remember falling like dominoes. This is what we want for those who try to stand on that moral high ground to be knocked down a peg or two.This is the people saying keep playing around with us and you will be exposed. No it may not seem important to some of us but every time something comes out about one of these politicians it hurts them in the polls. and thats what count. Now all it takes is for a good candidate to run against him.And don't forget puritanical America, whether he was separated when he and old girl hooked up it doesn't matter,the papers were not signed.And maybe the ethics committee may have a little something to say about offering your girlfriend a job while you are Senator.The only thing i can say that was smart about what he has done is that he didn't have to go to Argentina or a public restroom to find luv:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[SoapBox]

57. Contact him HERE and tell him your opinion

You can contact his offices and tell him what you think! Take your pick of offices; he has lots:

http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=contact

Washington
511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone] (Office)
[phone] (Fax)

1. Billings
222 North 32nd St, Ste 100
Billings, MT 59101
[phone]

2. Bozeman
Federal Building
32 East Babcock, Ste 114
Bozeman, MT 59715
[phone]

3. Butte
27 N. Wyoming St, Ste A
Butte, MT 59701
[phone]

4. Glendive
122 West Towne St
Glendive, MT 59330
[phone]

5. Great Falls
113 3rd St North
Great Falls, MT 59401
[phone]

6. Helena
Empire Block
30 West 14th St, Ste 206
Helena, MT 59601
[phone]

7. Kalispell
8 Third Street East
Kalispell, MT 59901
[phone]

8. Missoula
280 E. Front St, Ste 100
Missoula, MT 59802
[phone]

[mod mom]

59. done. here is what I wrote:

As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I think it is shameful that you obstructed efforts to ensure healthcare for so many working class people while you and your staff have benefitted from healthcare lobbyists:

"Lobbying disclosure filings for the first quarter of 2009 reveal that five of Baucus’ former staffers currently work for a total of twenty-seven different organizations that are either in the health care or insurance sector or have a noted interest in the outcome. "

"In 2008, Baucus received $1,148,775 from the health sector and $285,850 from the insurance sector. For his career he has received $2,797,381 from the health sector and $1,170,313 from the insurance sector."


SOURCE: Sunlight Foundation

Now today comes word that you abused your position of power by attempting to have your girlfriend appointed to the Montana US Attorney position.

Perhaps you have served too long and now represent your own self interests over those of the people you are elected to serve. You should be ashamed!

[New Dawn]

65. Typical (laughably corrupt) right-winger