Mehlman denies role in ousting of official

[sabra]

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=FT&Date=20061015&ID=6103820

Mehlman denies role in ousting of officialadvertisement

All Financial Times NewsKen Mehlman, the powerful chairman of the Republican National Committee, was on Sunday put on the defensive about his alleged role in the ousting of a State Department official in 2001 who was a political foe of Jack Abramoff, the former "superlobbyist" convicted on corruption charges this year.

Mr Mehlman said he did not recall the specifics of the removal of Allen Stayman, who supported changes to labour laws on the Northern Mariana Islands, an important client of Mr Abramoff, but said it was "not true" he had the authority to fire anyone in his former role as political director at the White House.

With mid-term elections looming on November 7 and the Republican party struggling to hold on to its majority in Congress, questions about Mr Abramoff's ties to the party as well as its response to the Mark Foley congressional sex scandal could not have come at a worse time.

The ties between Mr Mehlman and Mr Abramoff, which were highlighted in a report by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, follow the release of hundreds of e-mails by a congressional committee investigating the former lobbyists' ties to the Bush administration.

[Kagemusha]

1. All he's saying is that he didn't personally fire the man.

And that's all he's saying, and it ain't much.

Thin stuff from such an accomplished liar.

[tridim]

2. They're all joined at the roots

Their grand fall from power is going to be extremely fun to watch. :hi:

[54anickel]

3. I thought he "couldn't recall"? Now it's a flat out denial? Guess

someone jogged his memory for him.

[Webster Green]

4. Well, that pretty much confirms that it is true.

Kenny lies about everything.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Someone hand that liar a subpoena

[aquart]

6. Mehlman needs to do jail time. Think of a charge.

[krkaufman]

7. PleasePleasePleasePleasePlease let this story ....

... bring the Marianas Islands issue into the mainstream consciousness. Hardly anything else better highlights Republican corruption. (Though there's a LOT from which to choose.)

[tanyev]

8. I bet a little waterboarding would improve his memory.

Isn't that what it's used for?

[brentspeak]

9. Have you ever seen Mehlman talk?

He literally talks out of the side of his mouth.

[SpiralHawk]

10. "I did not have outing with that man, Mr. Stayman." - Ken Mealymouth

"And you can 'trust' me because I am a republicon (Bwaaa ha ha ha ha ha)." - Kenny Boy

[yellowcanine]

11. "I did not commit bribery with that man, Mr. Abramoff." - Ken Melbatoast.