Daryl Issa: Obama Administration Using Taxpayer Dollars To Propagandize For Its Partisan Agenda

How many jobs were saved or created here?

Well, at least one. You'll be delighted to find out what that job is.

One of the more shocking abuses listed in the report is the Department of Justice’s hiring of a liberal blogger, apparently with the express intention of attacking conservative bloggers.

Tiffany Russo, former campaign blogger for John Edwards, was hired by the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs (OPA) to direct its “new media efforts.” The report notes that these efforts include Russo searching online for news items and blog entries critical of the president’s agenda, and then attacking the author or contents either anonymously or through a pseudonym. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Issa and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith sent a letter in October of 2009 to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder calling for an investigation of Russo’s apparently unlawful actions. Neither Holder nor the Department of Justice has responded to the congressional inquiry. Russo continues to post on the DOJ’s official blog. It is not known if she still continues to anonymously “troll” blogs and articles critical of the administration on the taxpayers’ payroll.

There's a lot more than that, but I can't quote it all. The specifics start on the second page. Much of it is stuff that's been well-covered (like shanghaing the NEA to become an official taxpayer-funded propaganda arm of Organizing for America) or hiring Andy Griffith at taxpayer expense to reassure critical older voters, but taken together it demonstrates a clear pattern of using tax dollars for partisan -- personal partisan -- ends.

Do you want Issa to have the power of subpoena to put these people under oath and ask them pointed questions?

Well you know what to do. I hate hearing from some that I'm just pro-GOP, as if there is some better leash to bring this very misbehaving hound to heel.

posted by Ace at 12:00 PM

| Access Comments