Alphonso Jackson Expected to Announce Resignation on Monday
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, buffeted by allegations of cronyism and favoritism, is expected to announce his resignation Monday, sources close to the matter told the Wall Street Journal.
And From NYT:
Mr. Jackson has scheduled a news conference for 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. is supposed to outline plans for dealing with the financial crisis set off by the risky mortgage lending.
If Mr. Jackson steps down, it would remove a key player from the administration team dealing with the problem.
UPDATE: For some background here are a few of the previous First Draft posts on Jackson's alleged cronyism and corruption:
HUD's Jackson Under Investigation--Oct 4 2007
Investigating Alphonso...Another Heckuva Katrina Contract Story--December 17 2007
Investigating Alphonso...Scott Keller and the Floridians for Family Values scandal--December 18 2007
Alphonso Jackson's wife had "financial ties to at least two companies that did business at" HANO--Feb 2 2008
Alphonso Jackson update--Feb 6 2008
Real people get hurt when....--Feb 8 2008
UPDATE: A few thoughts. Jackson should have been gone last year for the improprieties with the NOLA/HANO/Katrina contracts. Then came the Philly problem. But he hung on and I suspect he may have been able to continue doing so if not for the housing crisis. GovExec.com reported last Friday...
Still, some senior administration officials worry that Jackson's troubles could tarnish the final nine months of Bush's presidency, especially if disclosures continue about suspected ethical missteps. "That is an interesting dilemma he is getting into with the Hill," says one official, who asked to remain anonymous. "He is the secretary of the department, they control his budget, and he refuses to answer their questions. Obviously that's a concern."
SNIP
Although the White House continues to support Jackson publicly, some think that the president may soon have to let his old friend go. "You have a housing crisis, families in peril, and a distracted HUD secretary," says a person who knows Bush and Jackson well. "The administration needs someone tending the boat 100 percent." (my emphasis)
That last quote would have been true for post Katrina NOLA in any one of the past almost 3 years. But I guess not all boats are equal......
IMNSHO, he should've been gone around May, 2006, after that BS about "joking" about denying HUD contracts based on potential contractors' political opinions.
Still, better late than never. Don't let the revolving door hit you on the way out!
Posted by: Randy Owens | March 31, 2008 at 02:32
I'm pretty sure the bush admin is already tarnished beyond repair.
Posted by: merlallen | March 31, 2008 at 03:08
Heckuva.... oh never mind
Posted by: jeffrey | March 31, 2008 at 12:22
It really galls me!
The Shrub administration says they need someone full-time at the helm with all the problems going on. Is that why Shrub spends so much time clearing brush in Crawford ??? {Nero fiddles with brush while Rome burns ??}
And also that all the misuse of power and authority WAS NOT a reason for getting him out of there. Instead, those were apparently perfectly acceptable for this {lack of} administration.
Posted by: MapleStreet | March 31, 2008 at 15:03
<>
bwahahahahahahahahaha
That's me, unable to stop laughing. They're worried that this? this will be the thing that tarnishes the Bush presidency? Newsflash for anyone still listening: The Bush presidency was tarnished the moment five conservative justices on the Supreme installed him as president through a bloodless coup d'etat.
Posted by: Ian | March 31, 2008 at 17:41