The Washington Independent » Jonathan J. Cooper http://washingtonindependent.com National News in Context Thu, 10 May 2012 20:13:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Indicted Politicians by the Numbers http://washingtonindependent.com/342/indicted-politicians-by-the-numbers http://washingtonindependent.com/342/indicted-politicians-by-the-numbers#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:25:49 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=342 We were looking over TWI’s Congressional (dis)Honor Roll of members of the House and Senate who have been indicted and we wondered, What do all these politicians have in common?  Can we find some consistent characteristic that draws these guys to break the law (or More...

]]> We were looking over TWI’s Congressional (dis)Honor Roll of members of the House and Senate who have been indicted and we wondered, What do all these politicians have in common?  Can we find some consistent characteristic that draws these guys to break the law (or just be accused of it)?  We’re not criminologists, but we perused the list, crunched the numbers, and managed to come up with a set of interesting tidbits and trends.


Of the 102 lawmakers accused of breaking the law, 29, or 28 percent, were acquitted or the charges were dropped. Suddenly the famed Legal Defense Fund seems like a very worthwhile investment.  They’re almost all men.  In fact, we only found one woman: Rep. Bobbi Fiedler, R-Calif., who was accused of a crime. In 1986 she was charged with offering a candidate money to leave the race (her case was dismissed a month later). 


The implicated members hail from 31 states.  It turns out that the bigger states — with bigger delegations — had the most offenses: New York (11), California (8) and Pennsylvania (7).  Ohio and New Jersey had six each.  A handful of smaller states were surprisingly high on the list for their size, including Maryland with five congressional lawbreakers, Louisiana with four and Idaho with three. The south, the plains and the industrial Midwest have seen the biggest stain of scandal.  Except for three incidents in Massachusetts, New England lawmakers have avoided charges.  Perhaps they’re more upstanding patriots up there (or they’re better at covering their tracks).


Republicans have taken the brunt of bad ethics news in the past three years, claiming five of the six indictments since 2005.  But with a 55-40 edge, Democrats can take the trophy for most indictments.  And before our liberal readers try to argue that the Democratic Party is older, we’ll point out that only two of the indictments on our list came before the Republican Party was born in 1854.


Investigators clearly had their work cut out for them in the 1970s and 1980s, charging 41 members of Congress then compared with just 18 indictments since 1990. Still, the last few years have brought some entertaining incidents, like Sen. Larry’s Craig’s "wide stance" in the bathroom and Rep. William Jefferson‘s cold cash in the freezer.


With all these lawmakers roaming federal penitentiaries, perhaps we should start investigating their earmarks.  Were they steering our tax dollars toward their prisons?




 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/342/indicted-politicians-by-the-numbers/feed 0 The Congressional (dis)Honor Roll: 1798 – 2008 http://washingtonindependent.com/375/the-congressional-dishonor-roll-1798-2008 http://washingtonindependent.com/375/the-congressional-dishonor-roll-1798-2008#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:52:00 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=375 With his indictment today, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) joins a congressional (dis)honor role  that includes many illustrious members of of the House and Senate. stretching back to 1798. TWI got to wondering just how many congressmen had been indicted before Stevens. The answer: at least 100.  Stevens takes his place More...

]]> With his indictment today, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) joins a congressional (dis)honor role  that includes many illustrious members of of the House and Senate. stretching back to 1798. TWI got to wondering just how many congressmen had been indicted before Stevens. The answer: at least 100.  Stevens takes his place alongside politicians like Sen. John Smith (D-Ohio), who, around 1807, was indicted for treason as a co-conspirator with Aaron Burr.  He was ultimately acquitted.  Then there’s Rep. Mel Reynolds ( D-Ill)., accused in 1995 of having sex with an underage campaign worker. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Enjoy the whole list for yourself.

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/375/the-congressional-dishonor-roll-1798-2008/feed 0 Members of Congress Charged With a Crime, 1798 – 2008 http://washingtonindependent.com/377/members-of-congress-charged-with-a-crime-1798-2008 http://washingtonindependent.com/377/members-of-congress-charged-with-a-crime-1798-2008#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:31:46 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=377 After the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, on July 29, 2008, TWI got to wondering how many members of Congress came before him. The answer: at least 100. Stevens shares the list with characters like Sen. John Smith, D-Ohio, who, around 1807, was indicted for treason as a co-conspirator More...

]]> After the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, on July 29, 2008, TWI got to wondering how many members of Congress came before him. The answer: at least 100. Stevens shares the list with characters like Sen. John Smith, D-Ohio, who, around 1807, was indicted for treason as a co-conspirator with Aaron Burr against the United States. He was eventually acquitted. Then there’s Rep. Mel Reynolds, D-Ill., who was accused in 1995 of having sex with an underage campaign worker. He was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Enjoy the whole list for yourself below.



Members of congress charged with a crime:

MEMBER / DATE CHARGED CHARGE / FINAL ACTION
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) 2008 False statements on Senate disclosure forms * Pending
Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) 2008 Extortion, wire fraud, money laundering * Pending
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) 2007 Disorderly conduct * Pleaded guilty, requesting withdrawal of plea from state appeals court
William Jefferson (D-La) 2007 Racketeering, soliciting bribes, money laundering * Pending
Bob Ney (R-Ohio) 2007 Trading political favors for gifts * Convicted, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison
Tom DeLay (R-Texas) 2005 Money laundering, conspiracy * Pending
William Janklow (R-S.D.) 2003 Manslaughter after car struck motorcyclist. * Convicted, sentenced to 100 days in jail
James Traficant (R-Ohio) 2001 Tax evasion, bribery, racketeering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice * Convicted, sentenced to eight years in prison
Jay Kim (R-Calif.) 1997 Accepting illegal corporate campaign contributions. * Plead guilty and sentenced to two months of house arrest, one year probation and a $5,000 fine.
Mel Reynolds (D-Ill.) 1995 State charges: Sexual misconduct, child pornography and obstruction of justice * Convicted in August 1995 and sentenced to 5 years in prison

Federal charges: Bank fraud and lying to the Federal Election commission * Convicted in April 1997 and sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. Sentence commuted by President Bill Clinton.
Walter R. Tucker III (D-Calif.) 1995 Corruption for allegedly extorting bribes and cheating on taxes while mayor of Compton, Calif. * Convicted, sentenced to 27 months in prison.
Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) 1994 Corruption * Plead guilty to a lesser charge of mail fraud, 1996. Pardoned by President Bill Clinton, 2000.
Carroll Hubbard (D-Ky) 1994 Obstruction of justice * Convicted
Larry Smith (D-Fla) 1993 Income tax and campaign reporting violations * Convicted, sentenced to 3 months in jail
Albert Bustamante (D-Texas) 1993 Racketeering & accepting illegal gratuity * Convicted
Nick Mavroules (D-Mass.) 1992 Bribery, tax evision, influence peddling * Pleaded guilty, served 15-month jail sentence
Joseph Mavroules (R-Pa.) 1992 Accepting illegal gratuities
Floyd H. Flake (D-N.Y.) 1991 Conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion for allegedly diverting $141,000, including federal housing funds, from projects run by the church where he served as pastor. * Trial opened 3/11/91 Charges dropped
Donald E. ‘Buz’ Lukens (R-Ohio) 2/23/89 Contributing to unruliness & delinquency of a minor by having sex with a 16-year-old girl * Convicted 5/26/89 Jailed for 9 days
Robert Garcia (D-N.Y.) 11-21-88 Influence-peddling bribery, extortion, conspiracy (WEDTECH) * Convicted 10/10/89 Conviction overturned on appeal 6/29/90
Pat Swindall (R-Ga.) 10/17/88 Perjury * Convicted on nine counts, 6/20/89. Sentenced to 1 year
Fofo I.F. Sunia (D-Amer. Somoa) 7/27/88 Conspiracy to defraud the gov’t by payroll padding * Pleaded guilty 8/4/88
Harold E. Ford (D-Tenn.) 4/24/87 Bank fraud, mail fraud, tax fraud * Jury deadlocked, 1990. Acquited, 1993.
Mario Biaggi (D-N.Y.) 3/16/87 Obstructing justice, accepting illegal gratuity. Racketeering, tax evasion, perjury, conspiracy, extortion, obstructing justice, accepting bribes (WEDTECH) * Convicted 9/22/87 Jailed for 26 months.
Henry B. Gonzales (D-Texas) 12/4/86 Assault * Charges dropped
Bobbi Fiedler (R-Calif.) 1/24/86 Violating state election code by offering a candidate money to leave race * Dismissed 2/26/86
Sen. Bob Kasten (R-Wis.) 12/12/85 D.U.I. * Charges dropped 4/11/86
(R-Idaho)George Hansen 4/7/83 Filing false financial disclosure statements * Convicted 4/2/84 Sentenced to 15 months, 6/15/84
James A. Traficant Jr. (D-Ohio) Bribery * Acquitted
Ike Andrews (D-N.C.) 10-82 D.W.I. * Pleaded guilty
Jon C. Hinson (R-Miss.) 2-4-81 Committing sodomy * Pleaded no contest to reduced charge
Charles J. 11-12-80 Carney Accepting illegal gratuity * Dismissed 11/23/81
Sen. Harrison Williams Jr. A. ‘Pete’ (D-N.J.) 10/30/80 Conspiracy to defraud gov’t, bribery, receiving unlawful gratuity & illegal compensation, inter-state travel to commit bribery & aid racketeering (ABSCAM) * Convicted 5/1/81
Robert E. Bauman (R-Md.) 10/3/80 Soliciting sex from a minor * Charges dropped 3/31/81
Richard Kelly (R-Fla.) 7/15/80 Bribery, conspiracy, violating Travel Act (ABSCAM) * Convicted 1/26/81 Acquitted 5/13/82
John M. Murphy (D-N.Y.) 6/18/80 Influence-peddling, accepting outside money to perform official duties, aiding racketeering receipt of unlawful gratuity, bribery (ABSCAM) * Convicted on most counts 12/3/80. Sentenced to 3 years
Frank Thompson Jr. (D-N.J.) Influence-peddling, accepting outside money to perform 6/18/80 official duties, aiding racketeering receipt of unlawful gratuity, bribery (ABSCAM) * Convicted 12/3/80 (several charges dismissed) Jailed for 13 months
John W. Jenrette Jr. (D-S.C.) 7/15/80 Bribery, conspiracy, violating Travel Act (ABSCAM) * Convicted 10/7/80 Sentenced to 2 years
Raymond R. Lederer (D-S.C.) 5/18/80 Influence-peddling, bribery, conspiracy, accepting illegal gratuity, aiding racketeering, (ABSCAM) * Convicted 1/9/81. Jailed for 1 year
Claude Leach (D-La.) 7/20/79 Buying votes; Violating fed. campaign finance laws * Acquitted of vote-buying 11/1/79; Other charge ruled improper 12/20/80
Michael O. Myers (D-Pa) 1-16-79 Disorderly conduct Bribery, conspiracy 5-27-80 * Pleaded no contest 4/10/79 Convicted, 8/30/80; Sentenced to 3 years
Nick Galifianakis (D-N.C.) 4/10/79 Perjury * Charges dismissed 8/3/79
Joshua Eilberg (D-Pa.) 10/24/78 Illegally receiving compensation * Pleaded guilty 2/24/79
Herbert Burke (R-Fla.) 5/27/78 Intoxication, resisting resisting arrest, influencing a witness * Pleaded guilty 9/26/78
Daniel J. Flood (D-Pa.) 1978 Perjury, bribery, conspiracy * Pleading guilty to mail fraud and tax evasion 6/12/80
Frank M. Clark (D-Pa.) 9/5/78 Mail fraud, perjury, income tax evasion * Pleaded guilty to mail fraud and tax evasion 6/12/79
Federick Richmond (D-N.Y.) 4/6/78 Soliciting sex for pay * Charges dropped 5/3/78
Otto E. Passman (D-La.) 3/23/78 Bribery, conspiracy income tax evasion * Acquitted 4/1/79
Charles C. Diggs Jr. (D-Mich.) 10/7/78 Mail fraud, perjury Sentenced to 3 years * Convicted
Richard T. Hanna (D-Calif.) 10/14/77 Conspiracy to defraud the gov’t * Pleaded guilty 3/17/78 Jailed for 18 months
Edward A. Garmatz (D-Md.) 8/1/77 Bribery, conspiracy, influence peddling * Case abandoned by Justice Dept. 1/9/78
Richard A. Tonry (D-La.) 8/1/77 Receiving illegal campaign contributions, promising Federal patronage to contributors, obstructing justice, conspiracy * Pleaded guilty 7/1/77 Jailed for 6 months
James F. Hastings (R-N.Y.) 9/21/76 Operating a kickback scheme with members of his congressional staff, mail fraud, filing false vouchers * Convicted 12/17/76. Jailed for 14 months
Frank J. Horton Reckless driving, D.W.I.,speeding * Pleaded guilty 8/31/76
Allan T. Howe (D-Utah) 6/12/76 Soliciting sex acts for pay * Convicted 7/23/76 Upheld on appeal
Henry J. Helstoski (D-N.J.) 6/2/76 Bribery, conspiracy, obstructing justice, perjury * Charges dismissed 9/22/79 & 2/27/80
James R. Jones (D-Okla.) 1/29/76 Failing to report a cash campaign contribution (not formally indicted) * Pleaded guilty
Wendell Wyatt (R-Ore.) 6/11/75 Violating campaign spending laws (not formally indicted) * Pleaded guilty
Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-Calif.) 5/6/75 Soliciting a bribe, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds; Grand conspiracy

* Convicted of bribery 1/26/76. Convicted of misappropriation of public funds & petty theft. Jailed
George Hansen (R-Idaho) 2/19/75 Violating campaign spending laws * Pleaded guilty

(not formally

indicted)
Sen. Edward J. Gurney (R-Fla.) 1974 Violating Fla. campaign finance law. Conspiracy, perjury, soliciting bribes * Acquitted 8/6/75 & 10/27/76
Angelo D. Roncallo (R-N.Y.) 2/21/74 Extorting political contributions * Acquitted 5/17/74
Frank J. Brasco (D-N.Y.) 2/21/74 Conspiracy to receive bribes * Convicted 7/19/74 Jailed.
Bertram L. Podell (D-N.Y.) 7/12/73 Conspiracy, bribery, perjury * Pleaded guilty to conspiracy & conflict of interest, Jailed
J. Irving Whalley (R-Pa.) 7/5/73 Mail fraud, obstruction of justice, payroll abuse, threatening federal witness * Pleaded guilty 7/31/73
Gallagher Cornelius (D-N.J.) 1972 Federal income tax evasion, perjury, conspiracy * Pleaded guilty to tax evasion charge 12/21/72; Jailed 4/7/72
Martin B. McNeally (R-N.Y.) 10/18/70 Failure to file fed. income tax returns for four years. * Pleaded guilty to one year’s lapse
John V. Dowdy (D-Texas) 3/31/70 Conspiracy, conflict of interest, perjury, obstructing justice, facilitating bribery * Convicted 12/31/70 Sentenced to 18 mos.
Hugh J. Addonizio (D-N.J.) 12/18/69 Extortion, conspiracy, income tax evasion * Convicted 7/22/70 Sentenced to 10 years.
Sen. Daniel Brewster (D-Md.) 12/1/69 Soliciting and accepting bribes * Dismissed 10/9/70 Dismissal reversed ’72

Convicted 11/17/72

Conviction reversed

Pled no contest.
Frank W. Boykin (D-Ala.) 10/16/62 Conflict of interest, conspiracy to defraud government suspended jail sent. * Convicted 6/13/63 Fined $40,000 plus
Thomas F. Johnson (D-Md.) 10/16/62 Conflict of interest conspiracy to defraud the gov’t. * Convicted 6/13/63 Reversed 9/16/64 Convicted of conflict of interest 1/26/68
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (D-N.Y.) 5/8/58 Federal income tax evasion, Criminal contempt of court for avoiding payment of $160,000 defamation of character judgment and failing to appear in court for civil suit * Federal judge threw out 2 of 3 counts 4/22/60; trial on 3rd count ended in hung jury; judge denied motion for acquital; case dismissed.
William J. Green Jr. (D-Pa.) 12/14/56 Conspiracy to defraud the gov’t.; influence peddling * Acquitted 2/27/59
Thomas J. Lane (D-Mass.) 3/5/56 Federal income tax evasion * Pleaded quilty 4/30 sentenced to 4 mos. prison & fined $10,000 released 9/4/56
Ernest K. Bramblett (R-Calif) 6/17/53 Making false statements about congressional payroll kickbacks * Convicted 2/9/54 fined $5000, sentence, 2-4 months (suspended) 6/15/55
John L. McMillan (D-S.C.) 1/14/53 Violated law barring members of Congress from contracting with the government * Acquitted 5/16/73
Theodore Leonard Irving (D-Mo.) 6/8/51 Misusing labor union funds for 1948 campaign * Acquitted 12/28/51
Walter E. Brehm (R-Ohio) 12/20/50 Accepting illegal campaign contributions * Convicted 4/30/51 sentence 5-15 mos. (suspended) and fined $5,000
J. Parnell Thomas (R-N.J.) 11/8/48 Conspiracy to defraud U.S. govt., payroll padding, receiving salary kickbacks * Convicted 11/30/49 sentenced to 6-18 mos. Paroled 9/18/50. Pardoned 12/24/50
Andrew J. May (D-Ky.) 1/23/47 Conspiracy to defraud U.S. gov’t, accepting bribes * Convicted 7/3/49 served 9 mos of 8-24 mo. sentence. Paroled 9/18/50. Pardoned 12/24/50
James M. Curley (D-Mass.) 1943-44 Mail fraud, conspiracy * Voided 10/1/43. Convicted 1/18/46 served 5 of 6-18 month sentence Sentence commuted 11/26/47; pardoned 4/12/50 by Harry S. Truman
B. Frank Whelchel (D-Ga) 1940 Accepting money to obtain appointive offices for certain constituents * Acquitted
John H. Hoeppel (D-Calif.) 1936 Influence-peddling. sentenced to 4 mo-1 yr. Fined $1,000 * Convicted 1936
George E. Foulkes (D-Mich.) 1934 Conspiracy to assess political contributions from postmasters * Convicted 1934-5, sentenced to 18 mos. fined $1,000
Harry E. Rowbottom (R-Ind.) 1931 Accepting bribes * Convicted 1931 sentenced to 1 year & 1 day; paroled after 9 mos.
Federick N. Zihlman Bribery (R-Md.) 12/10/29 * Acquitted
Edward E. Denison (R-Ill.) 10/19/29 Violating Prohibition by possessing alcohol * Court sustained a demurrer to indictment 6/30/30
M. Alfred Michaelson (R-Ill.) 5/9/29 Violating Prohibition by importing liquor * Acquitted 10/19/29
John W. Langley (R-Ky) March, 1924 Violating Prohibition, influence-peddling, conspiracy * Convicted 5/13/24 Conviction upheld 1/26/25
Sen. Burton K. Wheeler (D-Mont.) April, 1924 Illegally receiving compensation for services * Acquitted
Sen. Truman H. Newberry (R-Mich.) 11/29/19 Conspired to spend money to secure election to Senate * Convicted 3/20/20 sentenced to 2 yrs. fined $10,000 decision reversed 5/21/21
Victor L. Berger (S-Wisc.) Feb. 1918 Violating Espionage Act * Convicted Jan. 1919, sentenced to 20 yrs. conviction reversed by Supreme Court
Sen. Joseph R. Burton (R-Kan.) 1/23/04 Representing a client in a proceeding involving U.S. gov’t * Convicted 3/28/04 reversed 1/16/05 reindicted 7/3/05 reconvicted 11/26/05
Sen. John H. Mitchell (R-Ore.) 6/22/05 Conspiracy, bribery, influence-peddling * Convicted July, 1905 Died while case was being appealed; 5/21/04 conviction upheld by Supreme Ct.
John N. Williamson (R-Ore.) 2/11/05 Conspiracy to defraud the gov’t; inducing others to commit perjury * Convicted 9/05 sentenced to fine and 10 mos; decision reversed in 1908
Binger Hermann (R-Ore) 12/31/04 Conspiracy to defraud U.S. of public lands, destroying public records * Dismissed
Sen. Charles H. Dietrich (R-Neb.) 12/28/03 Bribery, conspiracy to defraud the gov’t holding a gov’t contract while in elective office

* Acquitted and nolle prosequi 1/8/04
Robert Smalls (R-S.C.) Oct. 1877 Accepting a bribe * Convicted
Philemon T. Herbert ( -Calif.) May, 1856 Manslaughter * Acquitted July, 1856
Sen. John Smith (D-Ohio) 1807 (?) Treason, misdemeanor co-conspirator with Aaron Burr against U.S. * Acquitted
Matthew Lyon (Ky.) 1798 Violating Sedition Act * Convicted 1798, jailed; fine refunded to heirs 1840
]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/377/members-of-congress-charged-with-a-crime-1798-2008/feed 4 Railroad Tracks Lead to Obama http://washingtonindependent.com/385/railroad-tracks-lead-to-obama http://washingtonindependent.com/385/railroad-tracks-lead-to-obama#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:20:09 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=385 Our friends at The Colorado Independent take a look at railroad companies’ sudden interest in political conventions.  Two of them, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, have each given more more than $1 million to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  The companies aren’t saying More...

]]> Our friends at The Colorado Independent take a look at railroad companies’ sudden interest in political conventions.  Two of them, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, have each given more more than $1 million to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  The companies aren’t saying much, but their support comes at a time when congressional Democrats are inching toward re-regulating the railroad industry.  And if Barack Obama wins the presidency, Union Pacific could have an inside link.  

TWI tracked down FEC records — some via our pals at Open Secrets –  that show that the company has paid nearly a half-million dollars to Covington & Burling, a Washington law firm, whose roster of well-connected lobbyists includes Linda J. Morgan, the former Bill Clinton-appointed chair of the Surface Transportation Board. Among her colleagues at Covington and Burling is former U.S. attorney Eric Holder, who is leading Obama’s vice presidential search. 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/385/railroad-tracks-lead-to-obama/feed 0 State of Play: Politicizing Justice http://washingtonindependent.com/418/state-of-play-politicizing-justice http://washingtonindependent.com/418/state-of-play-politicizing-justice#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:16:12 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=418 A Justice Department investigation report released this morning found that the Justice Department illegally took politics into account in hiring career prosecutor and immigration judges. The report blames top aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales — but says Gonzales was largely unaware of the hiring practices. The report details More...

]]> A Justice Department investigation report released this morning found that the Justice Department illegally took politics into account in hiring career prosecutor and immigration judges. The report blames top aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales — but says Gonzales was largely unaware of the hiring practices. The report details one incident where the Justice Department’s former White House liaison, Monica Goodling, excluded a candidate because, "judging from his resume, he appeared to be a liberal Democrat."

TV networks and east coast news outlets are giving the story big play, but major media west of Appalachia are playing the story lower on their homepages or on inside pages.

Justice Department Report on Hiring Finds Violations (The New York Times)

Report Finds Former Justice Aids Broke Law in Selection of Prosecutors (The Wall Street Journal)

Justice Officials Repeatedly Broke Law on Hiring, Report Says (The Washington Post)

Bush Justice officials broke law: DOJ IG (Chicago Tribune)

Justice Dept.: Hiring Scandal Violated Law (CBS News)

DOJ: Former aide broke law in hiring scandal (MSNBC)

 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/418/state-of-play-politicizing-justice/feed 0 State of Play: Auto Woes http://washingtonindependent.com/447/state-of-play-auto-woes http://washingtonindependent.com/447/state-of-play-auto-woes#comments Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:46:07 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=447 Ford Motor Company today posted an $8.7-billion loss, it’s largest-ever single-quarter shortfall.  The company earned a $750-million profit in the same quarter last year.  In an attempt to respond to changing American tastes and boost sales at home, Ford announced it will convert several North American factories in order to More...

]]> Ford Motor Company today posted an $8.7-billion loss, it’s largest-ever single-quarter shortfall.  The company earned a $750-million profit in the same quarter last year.  In an attempt to respond to changing American tastes and boost sales at home, Ford announced it will convert several North American factories in order to bring a line of smaller European cars to the United States.


Online coverage by major media outlets has included a combination of original stories and wire copy but came up with largely similar headlines.


Ford Posts Loss of $8.7 Billion on Asset Woes (The New York Times)


Ford Swings to Loss On Write-Downs (The Wall Street Journal)


Ford Posts $8.7B 2Q Loss on Asset Write-Downs (The Washington Post)


Ford posts $8.7-billion quarterly loss on asset write-downs (Los Angeles Times)


Ford posts largest quarterly loss ever (CNN)


Ford Reports Nearly $9B Loss (CBS News)


Ford Posts $8.7 Billion Loss on Asset Write-Downs (ABC News)


Ford posts $8.67 billion loss, looks to small cars (MSNBC)








 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/447/state-of-play-auto-woes/feed 0 State of Play: Obama’s Middle East Tour Part II http://washingtonindependent.com/500/state-of-play-obamas-middle-east-tour-part-ii http://washingtonindependent.com/500/state-of-play-obamas-middle-east-tour-part-ii#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:54:00 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=500 Sen. Barack Obama’s Middle East trip continues to dominate this week’s political news.  Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave Obama’s campaign a boost when he old a German news magazine that he supported Obama’s timetable for withdrawing American troops.  Obama also met with al-Maliki More...

]]> Sen. Barack Obama’s Middle East trip continues to dominate this week’s political news.  Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave Obama’s campaign a boost when he old a German news magazine that he supported Obama’s timetable for withdrawing American troops.  Obama also met with al-Maliki and conceded that there has been ‘security progress’ in Iraq.


With all the news coming out of Obama’s trip, news organizations had plenty of information to prioritize, and they all went in different directions.


Obama Says Iraqi Leaders Called For Withdrawal Timeline (CQ Politics)


Obama Makes War Gains (The Washington Post)


Obama finds ‘consensus’ in Iraq for U.S. troop withdrawal (CNN)


Obama meets in Ramadi with Sunni groups fighting insurgents (Chicago Tribune)


Can Obama Clear His Mideast "Ambiguity"? (CBS News)


For Obama, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Looms (The New York Times)


Obama sees ‘security progress’ in Iraq (MSNBC)


Obama ‘pleased’ about quelling of the violence in Iraq (The Hill)


Obama tries to dial down politics (Politico)











 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/500/state-of-play-obamas-middle-east-tour-part-ii/feed 0 State of Play: Jackson Criticizes Obama http://washingtonindependent.com/633/state-of-play-jackson-criticizes-obama http://washingtonindependent.com/633/state-of-play-jackson-criticizes-obama#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:38:43 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=633 First the news broke that Jesse Jackson was caught criticizing Barack Obama on an open microphone.  Even before we knew what he said, Jackson was on CNN apologizing for his "crude" remarks.  Fox News, which had the tape, hyped it all afternoon before ultimately airing Jackson’s rebuke for Obama: “See, More...

]]> First the news broke that Jesse Jackson was caught criticizing Barack Obama on an open microphone.  Even before we knew what he said, Jackson was on CNN apologizing for his "crude" remarks.  Fox News, which had the tape, hyped it all afternoon before ultimately airing Jackson’s rebuke for Obama: “See, Barack been, um, talking down to black people on this faith based…I want to cut his nuts out.”  Fox bleeped out the word "nuts," and other news organizations found creative ways to avoid the slang term.


The flap no-doubt raised journalistic ethics discussions in newsrooms nationwide as editors debated printing Jackson’s comments.  Interestingly, major media outlets are going in many directions with their coverage.  Mainstream newspapers were far more conservative than tabloids and TV networks.


Nuts! Jesse blasts Obama with snippy jab (New York Post)


Jesse’s Rant: Jackson trashes Obama in vulgar tirade (New York Daily News)


Does Jackson resent Obama? (ABC News)


How Jackson goof helps Obama (MSNBC)


Jackson says Obama comments not about envy (CNN)


Jackson says remarks ‘hurtful and wrong’ (Chicago Tribune)


Jackson regrets vulgar Obama comment (Politico)


Jesse Jackson Apologizes for Remarks on Obama (The New York Times)


Rev. Jackson Apologizes To Obama (The Washington Post)


Jesse Jackson apologizes for crude remark about Obama (Los Angeles Times)


Jesse Jackson Apologizes To Obama (CBS News)

















 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/633/state-of-play-jackson-criticizes-obama/feed 0 State of Play: Colombian Hostages Freed http://washingtonindependent.com/704/state-of-play-colombian-hostages-freed http://washingtonindependent.com/704/state-of-play-colombian-hostages-freed#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:05:04 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=704 In an operation described in the press as "stunning" and "daring," Colombian military commandos rescued 15 hostages from a Colombian rebel group after years of captivity.  The hostages, including three Americans and a French-Colombian politician, had been held in remote jungles by the FARC, a group on the State Dept.’s More...

]]> In an operation described in the press as "stunning" and "daring," Colombian military commandos rescued 15 hostages from a Colombian rebel group after years of captivity.  The hostages, including three Americans and a French-Colombian politician, had been held in remote jungles by the FARC, a group on the State Dept.’s list of terrorist organizations.  The Americans were defense contractors working on anti-drug operations when their plane went down four years ago.  The politician, Ingrid Betancourt, was captured while running for president of Colombia six years ago. The freed hostages were flown to a military base in Texas where they will be reunited with their families. 


Major American media outlets covered both Betancourt’s reunion with her family and the arrival of the American defense contractors.


Freed hostage Betancourt sees children for first time in six years: ‘nirvana, paradise’ (Los Angeles Times)


Home Sweet Home For 3 U.S. Hostages (CBS News)


Ex-captive meets her kids for 1st time in 6 years (MSNBC)


Ex-hostage reunited with children in Bogota (The Washington Post)


3 hostages rescued in Colombia return to US (Chicago Tribune)


Former hostage Betancourt reunited with her kids (CNN)


Rescued Hostage in Teary Reunion With Children (ABC NEWS)


Hostages Freed in Colombia Returning Home (The New York Times)








 

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/704/state-of-play-colombian-hostages-freed/feed 0 State of Play: McCain Heads to Colombia http://washingtonindependent.com/739/state-of-play-mccain-heads-to-colombia http://washingtonindependent.com/739/state-of-play-mccain-heads-to-colombia#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:52:07 +0000 Jonathan J. Cooper http://www.washingtonindependent.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/?p=739 In what is likely the first-ever flight from Indianapolis to Colombia, Sen. John McCain’s campaign charter will head to South America today, where the presumptive Republican nominee will try to flex his foreign policy muscles.  McCain will meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and tour a naval base in Cartagena More...

]]> In what is likely the first-ever flight from Indianapolis to Colombia, Sen. John McCain’s campaign charter will head to South America today, where the presumptive Republican nominee will try to flex his foreign policy muscles.  McCain will meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and tour a naval base in Cartagena before flying to Mexico City for a meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.  TWI Reporter Matthew DeLong is traveling with the McCain campaign and will give us frequent updates.


A handful of major media outlets previewed McCain’s trip, including three which used an Associated Press story.


McCain Heads Today for Colombia, Where Adviser Has Long Had Ties (The New York Times)


McCain focuses on trade in Colombia, Mexico trip (The Washington Post)


McCain to talk free trade in Latin America (Chicago Tribune)


McCain To Tout Free Trade In Latin America (CBS News)


McCain to talk free trade in Latin America (MSNBC)








 

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