Inhofe Enlists Bush-Appointed IG to Help Him Smoke Out Enviro Leaker
I mentioned earlier today that Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) has an almost refreshing tendency to own up to his wackier attempts at antagonizing the environmental community. And here's a perfect case in point ...
Inhofe has teamed up with the Commerce Department's inspector general on a mission to unmask the source who gave the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) a draft of the Bush administration's regulatory attempt to unravel key portions of the Endangered Species Act.
That leak occurred way back in August, but it prompted a storm of critical news coverage. President Obama ultimately moved to block his predecessor's regulatory move earlier this month after being authorized to do so by Congress.
The Commerce IG has taken the extraordinary step of subpoenaing the NWF to help identify its source, according to the AP. The group plans to fight the summons in court.
When Inhofe was asked if he were the one pushing to plumb for the leaker, the senator issued a candid statement, saying in part:
As we work to provide more accountability and increase transparency in our government, it is imperative we hold those who break the rules responsible.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
You were misquoting Inhofe, what he really said was:
As we work to provide more accountability and increase transparency in the Democrat Obama Administration, it is imperative we hold those who provided more accountability and increase transparency in the Republican Bush Administration responsible.
March 12, 2009 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
You were misquoting Inhofe, what he really said was:
As we work to provide more accountability and increase transparency in the Democrat Obama Administration, it is imperative we hold those who provided more accountability and increase transparency in the Republican Bush Administration responsible.
March 12, 2009 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Inhofe is a thundering oaf of intellect deficts. The state of OK should be quite proud to have this primate represent them!
March 12, 2009 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, next election Okies will believe in primate change.
March 12, 2009 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sadly, most of my fellow Okies are proud of their willful ignorance and both of their embarrassing senators.
March 12, 2009 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't the purpose of the whistleblower to provide more accountability and increase transparency in our government? Oh, wait. The Bush administration was not our government.
March 12, 2009 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elena,
Campaign Diaries has just published a detailed head count of EFCA, broken down by individual Senator.
There is an overall whip count, as well as a table breaking down the past position and most recent statements of the 23 Senators who are not co-sponsors and whose vote will be decisive.
An important note: For now, Ben Nelson is the only Senator to separate the issue of the cloture vote and that of the final legislation (that is obviously a major distinction).
March 12, 2009 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it fair to assume that the IG is a bush holdover? How can the Commerce IG begin something like this without consulting the Sec'y?
March 12, 2009 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point, Fala. Indeed, how can Inhofe be setting the investigatory agenda for the Commerce IG? What a complete waste of taxpayer money, and, more important, what a McCarthy-like witch hunt. Is this how Republicans do things in Oklahoma, Senator?
March 13, 2009 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink