An Exonerated Walpin Fights Back For His Job
Last night Dr. Dog mentioned that Gerald Walpin has been cleared by the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Ed Morrissey summarizes the series of events that began this summer:
In June, the White House fired Gerald Walpin as Inspector-General of the Corporation for National and Community Service after he objected to an unusually-favorable settlement of fraud charges against a Barack Obama ally in Sacramento. The Obama administration insisted that Walpin got fired for instability and strongly hinted that Walpin was senile, but a series of actions against IGs seemed to show that Obama had decided to attack their independence. Yesterday, the IGs struck back by clearing Walpin of the White House’s allegations through their professional board, and now Walpin wants his job back….
Those are a few succinct facts, but to get the play by play and color commentary of the details surrounding Walpin’s firing, you should review a couple of articles that Byron York wrote in June. As the scenario of cronyism and corruption unfolded, it was clear that Walpin’s firing was another example of Obama’s belief in Rex Lex (or should that be L’Etat, c’est moi?).
York’s articles are fascinating reads; the first, What’s behind Obama’s sudden attempt to fire the AmeriCorps inspector general?, has updates as events occurred and details were revealed, and the second one, Gerald Walpin speaks: The inside story of the AmeriCorps firing, is an excellent summary of the investigation of Obama supporter Kevin Johnson that resulted in Walpin’s firing. York points out in both articles that the White House is required by law (co-sponsored by Senator Obama ) to give Congress 30 days notice before firing an inspector general and must also explain the cause for termination.
The Sacramento Bee reported today that Walpin filed a copy of the letter exonerating him in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, November 9th. Politico (via Maggie’s Notebook) writes that on Tuesday, the White House shot back through an unnamed official that Walpin’s firing was “fully merited”.
Walpin is not intimidated by the Obama administration and neither is Senator Grassley, who from the beginning questioned the actions of the White House and defended Walpin. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens next. As Ed wrote:
…In an administration that has czars bursting out of its seams, IGs represent a threat to their power. They have given the Obama administration a bloody nose, and Walpin that much more ammunition for a court case Obama would be well advised to settle at any cost now
You’ll also want to know this from Maggie Thornton:
By the way…the White House Chief Counsel, Greg Craig – the man who called Walpin and gave him one hour to resign, is leaving the White House and guess who is rumored to perhaps take his place? Robert “Bob” Bauer – the husband of Anita Dunn.
UPDATE: As in Watergate, Follow the Money! Michelle Malkin has this reminder as to why the White House hasn’t backed down:
There’s too much at stake — a $6 billion national service slush fund for the friends of Barack and meddling Michelle Obama. Walpin is too much of a threat to the Americrooks racket.
Here’s a reminder about that $6,000,000,000 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act:
Among other things, the bill would more than triple the number of positions in the AmeriCorps program, from 75,000 to 250,000, by 2017.
Remember what I said the other week about the Obama administration? Whenever I think I’ve finished with a topic, I find another thread and connection!
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H/T: Dr. Dog, The Sacramento Bee, Hot Air, Washington Examiner, Politico, Maggie’s Notebook, Michelle Malkin, CNN.
[1]
The Walpin firing seems like a long time ago, now. It’s amazing that the man continues to fight for his position against the Obama firewall of opposition. I have to hand it to him!
I realize that every administration has it’s scandals, uprisings, faux pas etc, but Obama’s administration seems exhausting and overpowering in it’s power-grabbing musculature, coupled with internal ineptness when put to the test of leadership —> international and economic decisions, Ft Hood response, down the line.
One year of Obama is too much, and there is still three to go!
[2]
Jan, we’re in a war of attrition. Every time one more person fights back, it’s a win for us.
The letter was dated October 19th, just a few weeks ago. Walpin filed in court on Monday. I’d guess he was conferring with attorneys about his next step.
[3]
By the way…the White House Chief Counsel, Greg Craig – the man who called Walpin and gave him one hour to resign, is leaving the White House and guess who is rumored to perhaps take his place? Robert “Bob” Bauer – the husband of Anita Dunn.
The intertwined web of politics is neverending!!!
[4]
TLS, especially in the Obama WH!
They don’t get rid of any of their friends–they just send them underground.
[5]
Keep in mind Walprin is of an age that most men are about to receive the gold watch. So I suspect even more that the money this is an honor thing for him. Be that the case, most likely the WH will cave. When it happens those cockroaches over at Americorps better watch out. He will be gunning for them in a righteous rage.
[6]
I can’t wait to see that happen. The details in York’s articles read like a movie–it reminded me of all the dramatic events as Watergate unfolded.
It’s pretty clear from those columns that neither Grassley nor York think Obama obeyed the law re Walprin’s firing.
[7]
This is just another example of how Obama plays Chicago style Politics-they bring a knife, you bring a gun etc.
Far from being the post partisan President that he campaigned as, Obama is the most partisan President EVER. He campaigned as someone a bit left of center, but is governing or trying to govern farther to the left than Jimmy Carter.
His lack of integrity is crystal clear. Joe Wilson said what most of already knew. The President is a LIAR . A chronic liar in fact.
Joe Lieberman better watch his back.
Glenn Beck described it best when he did his little skit imitating Al Capone with a baseball bat from the movie “The Untouchables. ”
The mans moral character is deficient, to say the least. He may be able to read inspiring prose from his teleprompter but as the old saying goes “actions speak louder than words.”
[8]
Sharp, I totally agree. It’s unbelievable the number of connections to this AmeriCorps scandal. It’s like one of those books written after an FBI agent has taken down a mob leader.
It really does remind me of the way the Watergate scandal became unraveled. Every other week some new item came to light.
[9]
There may be no bottom in sight
What happens if unemployment reaches 15%? Obviously the Dems are doomed at that point, but where does the downward momentum become self-sustaining?
[10]
Hmm, I guess along with the Glenn Beck sanity test he appears to be sane. Oh wait, the left says Beck is a rightwing nutjob, so that might not hold much water. Also, the source (Sac Bee) may not be as rabid left as the Obama administration would like, so I’m not really sure they are a trusted news source either.
However, there is one man that can be trusted: John Stewart, for his great work in finally finding something that Fox News made up.
[11]
Zero is getting pounded from all sides. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
[12]
PG,
I think the Dims are already doomed. I have have several customers who were ardent Obamaites now cursing the man. I am afraid one client may even go under in the next 6 months. (He admitted it. Is preparing to lay 3 people off come January.)
[13]
drdog- But he could have been preparing to lay off 10 people….so Obama created or saved 7 jobs.
[14]
Glad to hear the good news, admittedly I’d had forgotten about this.
Speaking of fox news, look who’s getting an interview, guess they decided a strategic withdrawal was in order.
[15]
JM — #13 clever reply! LOL, “saved 7 jobs!” That’s how Obama counts jobs, isn’t it!
[16]
—
Lou Dobbs, the longtime CNN anchor whose anti-immigration views have made him a TV lightning rod, said Wednesday that he is leaving the cable news channel effective immediately.
—
[17]
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/lou-dobbs-to-depart-cnn/
[18]
Someone must have tried to lay down the law and Dobbs decided to walk.
Over to FOX, I suppose.
[19]
JM,
Have you been trading Lattes’ with Anita Dunn again??
[20]
CNN really hates ratings it seems.
[21]
On a slightly different bent. Some brainiacs in the white coats think it might be a good idea to have wireless pacemakers. What could possibly go wrong??
[22]
They can be interfered with….
[23]
I love the new Obama math. I started Judy’s Obama diet and have never felt better about myself! Been seeing things from a whole nother angle, yanno?
[24]
“Over to FOX, I suppose.”
—
He’s not said such, more to the effect he’s had enough of TV for awhile. Though he did meet reportedly meet with fox in September, probably looking at him for fox business.
[25]
Oh, I guess that means you have been eating 3 pizzas a day and chasing it with fries…
[26]
Yeah, but I have lost or not gained 97 pounds this month, and that is what is important.
[27]
Keep that up and Michelle will be trading dress styling tips with you via twitter…..
[28]
I recently ordered a Papa John’s pizza and it was the biggest disappointment I have had in a while.
[29]
I have not had them since we bought our house because they don’t deliver over here.
So 6 years….but they were awesome! Sad to hear they went downhill! Hopefully that was just a fluke?
[30]
Conservative seniors’ group targets House Dems yes votes.
H/T Politico
[31]
KH
[32]
Well, would JM want to trade dress styling tips with Michelle, or facial and make-up tips with Nancy?
(awww – TOO EASY, they say . . . )
KnightHawk #16 – the part you bolded . . . you KNOW some liberal nutjob is gonna spin that into the witty pun they think it is . . . but not a truthful pun, however – since JM pointed out in #20 that they think nothing of ratings.
[33]
LOL – Thanks I actually like it better if they don’t (odd though I swear I read that on foxnews.com ehh maybe it was elsewhere).
btw Lucy just got Censured:
The Charleston County Republican Party’s executive committee took the unusual step Monday night of censuring U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for stepping across the GOP party line.
County Chairwoman Lin Bennett said the unanimous vote “is an effort to get his attention. They (party leaders) are just fed up, and they want him to know they’re fed up.”
The resolution mentions Graham’s cooperation with U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., on a bipartisan energy bill, and his support for the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and the time he called some opponents of immigration reform “bigots.”
“U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham — in the name of bipartisanship — continues to weaken the Republican brand and tarnish the ideals of freedom, rule of law, and fiscal conservatism,” the resolution reads.
[34]
crap meant to end with with the link – http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/nov/11/county-republican-party-leaders-censure-sen-graham/
Some rightfully PO’d people in SC.
[35]
No they don’t care about their ratings, and the question I have is why? Either they want to become a government mouthpiece and therefore paid to be so regardless of viewership, or um……well not much else it could be. If that is the case though, have they never heard the term why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? Why would the government pay for that when they already have it?
[36]
bc just started a thread on Graham being censured–I think he did it almost the same time KH mentioned it.
[37]
Saw on the new Move-on’s targeting all the NO votes as well. These jackals are sandwiched, they must be loving harry and nancy right now.
[38]
jackal:
–noun
1. any of several nocturnal wild dogs of the genus Canis, esp. C. aureus, of Asia and Africa, that scavenge or hunt in packs.
2. a person who performs dishonest or base deeds as the follower or accomplice of another.
3. a person who performs menial or degrading tasks for another.
Yes, that one word says it all.
[39]
So Sweet Lou is going to run for president?
Only one thing to say
[40]
fyi drudge still has up:
Obama Grants FOXNEWS Interview, DRUDGE has learned; Major Garrett will conduct interview in China next week..
[41]
well – so Lou is gone. Who does that leave?
Rick Sanchez – LIBERAL. Wolf Blitzer – ‘nuf said. Campbell Brown – anti-Palin – that speaks volumes. Larry King – avuncular at best – but not a rabid lib like others. Anderson Cooper – no comment.
Maybe they’re hoping Joy Behar can work some wonders over at Headline News? But I can’t imagine them doing any worse.