Four Labour peers face an investigation into claims they were prepared to accept thousands of pounds in cash in return for changing British laws. The Sunday Times said the peers, including two former ministers, were ready to accept up to STG120,000 ($A253,646) from business clients to amend laws as they passed through the House of Lords.
Undercover reporters working for the newspaper and posing as lobbyists for a foreign retailer keen to open shops in Britain claim they were told by the four peers that laws could be changed in return for cash. The reporters secretly recorded two of the peers talking about how they had previously helped change laws passing through parliament on behalf of clients.
"I will work within the rules, but the rules are meant to be bent sometimes," Lord Taylor of Blackburn allegedly told the undercover reporters.
Former defence minister Lord Moonie, former energy minister Lord Truscott and a former Labour whip were the other peers named by the paper as being prepared to accept cash.
The leader of the House of Lords Baroness Royall of Blaisdon said she was "deeply concerned" about the allegations. "I have spoken to the members who are the subject of them and I shall be pursuing these matters with the utmost vigour," she said in a statement. "The House of Lords has a code of conduct for members which clearly states that members 'must never accept any financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising parliamentary influence'.
"If allegations are made that members are in breach of these rules, and complaints are made about members conduct, then their conduct will be investigated in accordance with procedures laid down by the House."
Lord Truscott has denied the claims. He told the BBC that while he had held discussions with an undercover reporter, "to suggest I would offer to put down amendments for money is a lie".
Lord Moonie said he had discussed a fee of STG30,000 ($A63,411) with the undercover reporters but had been suspicious about who they were. "I am not aware of having offered to do anything for these people that was outside the rules," he told the BBC.
Following a brief, torturous foray into the public spotlight, Caroline Kennedy has retreated back into privacy. And if there's one thing on which political spectators agree, it's that she is unlikely to rush to repeat the experience.
"After the beating that she took, a sane person would not want to subject themselves to that," said Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College.
Her campaign for an appointment to the senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton started with a halting rollout and ended this past week in a spectacular implosion -- marred at the end by accusations leveled by someone close to the governor.
Kennedy is telling friends she won't be stepping away from the public sphere entirely, although it remains unclear what path she might take. Rumors abound that, given her early endorsement of now-President Barack Obama, she could land a federal appointment.
In a matter of months, America's dominant image of the daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy was transformed from that of the adorable little girl riding a pony on the White House lawn to that of someone more complicated -- a woman who remained connected to her father's Camelot legend but who was now forging a bumpy public path of her own.
She drew fire throughout her campaign. Critics questioned her experience and accused her of profiting off her family name. She was attacked for declining to answer questions, then was lampooned for giving interviews replete with conversational fillers such as "um" and "you know."
Some accused her of not explaining clearly enough why she wanted the job, while others worried she seemed ill at ease under the spotlight and questioned if she could win election to the seat in 2010.
Friends and supporters maintained that the 51-year-old Kennedy was driven by a passion for public service. They argued that the unconventional path she had followed allowed her to build a resume as a fundraiser, mediator and legal thinker -- all skills they said would help her excel on Capitol Hill.
Kennedy herself cited her "relationships" in Washington, and supporters believed her friendship with Obama and her closeness with her uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, would smooth her way. Associates said her verbal glitches had never gotten in the way of her reputation as a brilliant mind and gifted writer.
But early Thursday, she confirmed she had dropped out of contention, and on Friday Gov. David Paterson announced he was appointing Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand -- a little-known Democrat from a rural upstate district -- as Clinton's successor.
Kennedy's decision to withdraw played out messily Wednesday over hours of conflicting accounts in which she apparently wavered in her determination to win the seat, ending with a terse, one-sentence e-mail to reporters after midnight in which she cited "personal reasons" for her withdrawal.
On Thursday, a person close to the governor claimed she was facing possible tax and "nanny" problems, and there were media rumors that her marriage was on the rocks. A Kennedy spokesman complained that the mudslinging demeaned what had been a fair process.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/25/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
I'm thinking severe depression exacerbated by alcoholism.
#2
"On Thursday, a person close to the governor claimed she was facing possible tax and "nanny" problems, and there were media rumors that her marriage was on the rocks. A Kennedy spokesman complained that the mudslinging demeaned what had been a fair process."
Translation: The tax, nanny, and marriage rumors are true, and you're mean to bring it up.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/25/2009 0:20 Comments ||
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#3
If she is so interested in public service, why doesn't she RUN for public office? She and her family are rich enough that they should be able to afford it.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
01/25/2009 0:45 Comments ||
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#4
Run, Rambler? Her?
She and her family are rich enough that they think they should be able to affordbuy it.
There - fixed.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/25/2009 2:01 Comments ||
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#5
Divine right of kings. And dammit, pass the Chivas!
Posted by: Edward M. Kennedy ||
01/25/2009 4:36 Comments ||
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#6
they don't even want to buy it. They expect to be given it. Freaking airheaded dipshit. Pinch Sulzberger??? Jeebus
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/25/2009 7:09 Comments ||
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#8
"After the beating that she took, a sane person would not want to subject themselves to that," said Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College.
What the little hothouse flower got was not a beating. Ask Sarah Palin. Hell, ask Hillary, even. Both of them got it worse.
She just didn't get her divinely ordained Senate seat from that peasant Paterson.
#10
Nothing surprises me when it comes to these people. It just never ends.
The new book, Legacy of Secrecy: The Long Shadow of the JFK Assassination by Lamar Waldron, proposes that New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello orchestrated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Though not a new theory, the book cites recently released prison testimony in which Marcello reportedly said, "Yeah, I had the son of a bitch killed. I'm glad I did. I'm sorry I couldn't have done it myself!" Marcello allegedly claimed that Jack Ruby, who killed Lee Harvey Oswald, was an associate.
#12
Torturous the beating accusations drew fire accused her She was attacked then was lampooned some accused her others worried the mudslinging demeaned what had been a fair process.
Gosh its almost like this article is making her out to be a victim or something.
#13
Even the Princess claimed while she was a viable selection the canard, "the Kennedys have always had to work harder to prove themselves." Are you kidding me? How hard did Uncle Ted have to work to have the cops, reporters and DA to swallow the, "I tried to save her" defense? Let's call them the "Wink and a nod Kennedys".
#23
Didn't Joe the First make his money by bootlegging? Then he became an ambassador.
Joe Jr was supposed to become president, but he got killed trying to be a bigger hero than JFK.
So Joe Sr had to buy the election for JFK.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
01/25/2009 21:09 Comments ||
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#24
Never say never [e.g. JEB BUSH for 2010/12], as the Kennedys are by vari sources also reportedly out to save + empower their heritage in govt.???
Read, NOT ENUFF KENNEDY BOYZ NOR K-BOYZ WID CLEAN/GOOD POLICE. TEC. RECORDS TO GET ELECTED TO WASHINGTON???
Democratic insiders say the selection of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill New York's vacant U.S. Senate seat showed the pivotal influence of senior Sen. Charles Schumer.
Gov. David Paterson selected the little-known congresswoman over candidates Caroline Kennedy, backed by President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Andrew Cuomo, backed by Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.
But at the news conference introducing Paterson's choice Friday, one big smile gave it all away, and it was on the Schumer's face.
"Schumer was pushing her, he was really pushing," said a Democrat on Saturday who was told by Paterson that Schumer favored Gillibrand. The Democrat was familiar with the inner workings of Paterson's selection but spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the process.
Schumer insisted he was neutral in the seven weeks since the Senate seat was opened by Hillary Clinton's secretary of state nomination.
"Each one of them would make an excellent senator," Schumer said in December, declaring he would not back any individual.
Publicly, Paterson's process was, by all accounts, moving toward a coronation for Kennedy, daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy. She was praised by Bloomberg and by Obama, whom she had given an early and critical endorsement in last year's presidential primaries.
But internally, Paterson always had Gillibrand high on his list. And by the time he attended Tuesday's inauguration of Obama, Paterson started to focus on her, according to the Democrat who spoke Saturday.
She had been inspired by Hillary Clinton, worked on the former first lady's 2000 Senate campaign, and has many of the same qualities: Unflappable, a bright and focused attorney, a work horse in devouring information on issues, and well-schooled in the retail politics that gets New Yorkers elected.
Then came Wednesday. Back in New York, a chaotic few hours began in the afternoon with Kennedy's viability as the front-runner questioned, then dashed. Kennedy told Paterson she was rethinking her interest in the seat. She mentioned a new and pressing personal issue.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/25/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Knowing Schumer and his politics, I find this very hard to believe. She is a very conservative Democrat - pro-gun, pro-tax cuts and anti-TARP. Where there does Schumer fit? Nowhere. In fact, with her reputation for being a self-starter, assertive and confident door slammer Schumer should be watching his back.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
01/25/2009 10:39 Comments ||
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#2
Ah, but Chuckie is always concerned about being overshadowed. He wants someone who knows his/her place as the JUNIOR senator from Neu Yalk, dammit, and that's what he's going to get. Hillary? Didn't know her place. Caroline? She's a princess, dammit. Kirsten what's-her-name? Perfect.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/25/2009 11:14 Comments ||
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#3
Maybe Doc. But I'll wager it's a shed load more complex than that. Fractures in the NY Democratic party of some variety... maybe the Gov. is buying some sort of insurance. Dunno.
#4
Half has it right. Spitzer and his NYC power base were in the process of deeply alienating upstate NY Dems when the feds arrested him, although upstate helped elect him in the first place based on his image of going after fat cats in the city.
His successor, Paterson, got the job by default and will have to run to keep the seat. His base among Blacks isn't enough to win - he needs upstate support and between now and then the state must finally face its precarious financial position and take some painful steps that will hit the economically less well off upstate population hard. Paterson is hoping Schumer brings home some federal aid.
Also, FWIW, Cuomo may not be Teddy's favorite little girl - and he's certainly more accomplished than Caroline - but he used to be married to a Kennedy and is deeply linked to the Clintons. Gillibrand is clean, well respected and moderate -- and she isn't owned by any of the Manhattan cliques.
It's a shame Andrew isn't half the relatively principled politician his father was. There's lots not to like about Mario Cuomo's policies as NY gov, but he was and is a decent person. Andrew reeks of ambition and power climbing.
#8
Jack's initial comment is 1/2 correct - as a rep. she's all that, but as a senator, Schumer will guide her to the left, if she needs guidance at all. She's likely simply to "grow" in office, and the 2nd amendment position is the easiest to jettison for a democrat to evolve away from.
Barring catastrophe, she's liable to be in office 4 or 5 terms. Three catastrophes could stop her - 1) personal - ethics/finance/taxes etc. 2) the NY dems fracture galore as others note 3) she's less than meets the eye and serendipity throws a good GOP candidate at her in a GOP election cycle.
About 400 supporters gathered Friday night outside City Hall to urge Portland's mayor to stay on the job despite an intensifying political storm over his sexual relationship with a legislative intern nearly four years ago. Mayor Sam Adams has admitted lying about the affair with the young man to cover it up during last year's mayoral campaign. His victory made Portland the largest city in the country with an openly gay mayor.
The Oregonian and three smaller Portland newspapers have called for his resignation, but supporters rallied on his behalf throughout the day Friday. Many attending the rally hoisted homemade signs with messages that included "Portland Can Forgive" and "Sam Is Human."
About a half dozen counter-protesters were sprinkled among the crowd. Their placards read "Resign Sam" and "He Is Not My Mayor."
Adams took office Jan. 1 and is expected to decide within a few days whether he will resign, spokesman Wade Nkrumah said.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/25/2009 00:00 ||
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Of course, sexual abuse is A-OK as long as it's for the right cause! Gays need special rights, and shouldn't be treated like "other" people (the bad people).
#2
It's never been about true equality, it's been about power. Do you really believe that gays simply want to drop "don't ask, don't tell" while straights are court martialed and discharged for adultery, sexual harassment and fraternization with loss of VA benefits and the like? Hell, no, they'll cry for special dispensation to be permitted in engage in such activity and not be punished.
#3
the rally hoisted homemade signs with messages that included Portland Can Forgive"
Of course they can forgive. After all, the Mayors boy-toy was an adult at the time. So the real issue is about a Politician lying to conceal a sexual relationship with someone less then half his age. Hmmm now where have I heard that one before? Oh yeah I think thats actually a badge of honor in some political circles. So the real question is whether his partner will wear a fabulous dress like Dina McGreevey or something drab like Silda Spitzer when the Mayor announces hes going into Rehab?
Gov. Blagojevich and Drew Peterson now have something in common: the same PR firm.
The Publicity Agency, a Tampa firm that counts the former Bolingbrook police sergeant among its high-profile clients, announced Saturday it will be representing the governor "in his dealings with the news media that are outside the scope of his being governor."
The announcement came on the same day that the Illinois Senate disclosed that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has agreed to permit testimony in Blagojevich's impeachment trial -- set to begin Monday -- by an FBI agent whose sworn affidavit led to the governor's arrest last month.
Blagojevich has no plans to show up for the trial. Instead, he's set to do a series of national television interviews, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "The View," and CNN's "Larry King Live."
The barrage of media appearances is among the reasons that the governor's powerhouse attorney, Ed Genson, quit Blagojevich's criminal case Friday. Genson felt Blagojevich should not have launched a media blitz.
On another front, House prosecutor David Ellis indicated that FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain will be allowed to testify on a limited basis during Blagojevich's trial in a filing made public Saturday. The 76-page complaint Cain authored alleged that, among other things, Blagojevich was offering to sell President Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/25/2009 00:00 ||
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PR firms - because some jobs even lawyers won't do.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/25/2009 0:21 Comments ||
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BSk's comment reminds of the comment that "in a roomful of child molesters, a common robber seems to be a saint"
Two Illinois congressmen urged the Treasury in October to avoid taking any regulatory action against a struggling bank in their state, illustrating the aggressive efforts some politicians are taking to help hometown lenders during the bank crisis. In a letter they sent, Democratic Reps. Danny K. Davis and Luis Gutierrez also asked government officials to provide financial aid to National Bank of Commerce, based in the Chicago suburb of Berkeley, Ill.
Democratic Reps. Danny Davis and Luis Gutierrez wrote Treasury in late October asking the government to help a struggling bank in their state and halt any regulatory action against the lender. Regulators rebuffed the request, and the two-branch bank failed on Jan. 16.
Lawmakers often seek to help home-state interests, and there is nothing illegal about forwarding requests to regulators and other government officials. But legislators normally stop short of action that might appear to be interfering in the way regulators examine and supervise banks, a process that is supposed to be impartial.
Politicians' efforts to intervene on behalf of specific banks during the current crisis recall the savings and loan turmoil of the late 1980s, when members of Congress pressured the government to go easy on struggling thrift institutions. Among legislators who've tried to help a local bank get cash from the Troubled Asset Relief Program is one who had a lead role in drafting the TARP bill, Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The bank he went to bat for ultimately did get TARP cash.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/25/2009 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Following a brief, torturous foray into the public spotlight, Caroline Kennedy has retreated back into privacy. And if there's one thing on which political spectators agree, it's that she is unlikely to rush to repeat the experience.
