President Selling Judgeships to get Obama-care?

[Non Aligned States]

I just want to explore folks thoughts on this one topic of news.

What you want, and what the general populace of NSG will do, given your previous track record in which most are aware of, are not going to be the same thing. You would have gotten the better results if you had never put this OP up at all.

Better to be ignored than actively scorned.

[Ashmoria]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

heres the problem with that analysis.

the judgeship was given BEFORE the favor was demanded. if the president wanted to use it as leverage he wouldnt have done it in a way that takes it off the table as a carrot to mr matheson.

nominating a well qualified candidate is not a shocking bit of corruption.

[Les Drapeaux Brulants]

Oh, and I love your JJ Jameson 'Spider-Man a Menace?' tabloid style of making a suggestion while being able to avoid actually having to back it up. What a mighty backbone you have, sir.

I have the facts and I have posted a link.

I have seen through different Administrations that one party ALWAYS admonishes the other party to avoid even the "appearance of impropriety". Didn't this Administration promise to be transparent and highly ethical? Well, add that to their other failures, I suppose.

Based on the fact that someone is someone's brother?

I thought you suggested you weren't just trying to do a partisan hatchet-job?

Special favors are handed out all the time, in return for votes. The Nelson thing is one especially egregious example. Why is this different?

[Les Drapeaux Brulants]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

heres the problem with that analysis.

the judgeship was given BEFORE the favor was demanded. if the president wanted to use it as leverage he wouldnt have done it in a way that takes it off the table as a carrot to mr matheson.

nominating a well qualified candidate is not a shocking bit of corruption.

Announced today, meeting tonight -- hardly a significant temporal difference. Way too much a legislative coincidence.

[Tekania]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

You're telling me that after a meeting with Jim Matheson (the only democrat rep from Utah) Obama appointed his brother Scott (also a Democrat) to be a federal Appellate Court judicial position? This is Conspiracy worthy? You people must be running out of material...

[Ashmoria]

Oh, and I love your JJ Jameson 'Spider-Man a Menace?' tabloid style of making a suggestion while being able to avoid actually having to back it up. What a mighty backbone you have, sir.

I have the facts and I have posted a link.

I have seen through different Administrations that one party ALWAYS admonishes the other party to avoid even the "appearance of impropriety". Didn't this Administration promise to be transparent and highly ethical? Well, add that to their other failures, I suppose.

the appearance would be equally bad if the president DIDNT nominate a well qualified democrat to the job after his brother voted against the HCR bills.

[You-Gi-Owe]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

heres the problem with that analysis.

the judgeship was given BEFORE the favor was demanded. if the president wanted to use it as leverage he wouldnt have done it in a way that takes it off the table as a carrot to mr matheson.

nominating a well qualified candidate is not a shocking bit of corruption.

At last, a criticism not rooted it knee-jerk stupidity. Thanks Ash. It's a logical critcism, too. But it doesn't totally sweep the question away. After all, it isn't yet carved in stone that Scott Matheson will be appointed.

[You-Gi-Owe]

Oh, and I love your JJ Jameson 'Spider-Man a Menace?' tabloid style of making a suggestion while being able to avoid actually having to back it up. What a mighty backbone you have, sir.

I have the facts and I have posted a link.

I have seen through different Administrations that one party ALWAYS admonishes the other party to avoid even the "appearance of impropriety". Didn't this Administration promise to be transparent and highly ethical? Well, add that to their other failures, I suppose.

the appearance would be equally bad if the president DIDNT nominate a well qualified democrat to the job after his brother voted against the HCR bills.

Harder to prove the negative. The news-point is the timing of the nomination.

[Ashmoria]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

heres the problem with that analysis.

the judgeship was given BEFORE the favor was demanded. if the president wanted to use it as leverage he wouldnt have done it in a way that takes it off the table as a carrot to mr matheson.

nominating a well qualified candidate is not a shocking bit of corruption.

At last, a criticism not rooted it knee-jerk stupidity. Thanks Ash. It's a logical critcism, too. But it doesn't totally sweep the question away. After all, it isn't yet carved in stone that Scott Matheson will be appointed.

which is something (for you) to keep an eye on. if the brother votes against the bill AND this nomination is withdrawn--which would be a chicago hardball tactic-- you have something. if the brother votes against the bill and the DEMOCRATS refuse to confirm the judgeship, that is reprisals (unless some scandal comes up).

utah is a pretty conservative state where even democrats arent particularly in line with the president's thinking. finding a well qualified democrat for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench is probably not as easy as you think it is.

[Ashmoria]

Oh, and I love your JJ Jameson 'Spider-Man a Menace?' tabloid style of making a suggestion while being able to avoid actually having to back it up. What a mighty backbone you have, sir.

I have the facts and I have posted a link.

I have seen through different Administrations that one party ALWAYS admonishes the other party to avoid even the "appearance of impropriety". Didn't this Administration promise to be transparent and highly ethical? Well, add that to their other failures, I suppose.

the appearance would be equally bad if the president DIDNT nominate a well qualified democrat to the job after his brother voted against the HCR bills.

Harder to prove the negative. The news-point is the timing of the nomination.

i think he must have done a bunch of nominations at the same time. i think he appointed a US attny to new mexico the same day.

[The_pantless_hero]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

Obviously an editorial from a right-wing hack rag is the most reputable, unbiased source.

[Nobel Hobos]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

Hey, it's bipartisanship. It cuts your way too you know ... that's kinda the point of it.

[Farnhamia]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

Hey, it's bipartisanship. It cuts your way too you know ... that's kinda the point of it.

But hey, Representative Matheson's brother is free to refuse the appointment and Mr. Matheson can cry to heaven against the attempted bribe.

Did either of them do any such thing?

No.

In fact, Rep. Matheson called the allegation of bribery "absurd."

Linky

Oh, in in the article, "While some Republicans may have questioned motives behind the nomination of Scott Matheson Jr., the GOP members of the Utah congressional delegation did not. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah, praised him as well qualified and hailed his nomination."

Nice try, YGO. Once again, a molehill striving and failing to become a mountain.

[SD_Film Artists]

Congressmen have to be bribed to agree to healthcare reform? Idiots.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

So the entirety of your "evidence" is that a relative of a Congressman Obama was meeting with happened to get a nomination? The source you gave even concedes that "...Scott Matheson appears to have the credentials to be a judge...." So, government jobs should be barred to anyone Obama meets with, to avoid "the appearance of impropriety"?

Of course, then you'd probably accuse Obama of denying the guy an appointment because his brother was a Republican Congressman.

God, you're really reaching. This is almost as pathetic as "Mustard-gate."

[Tekania]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

So the entirety of your "evidence" is that a relative of a Congressman Obama was meeting with happened to get a nomination? The source you gave even concedes that "...Scott Matheson appears to have the credentials to be a judge...." So, government jobs should be barred to anyone Obama meets with, to avoid "the appearance of impropriety"?

Of course, then you'd probably accuse Obama of denying the guy an appointment because his brother was a Republican Congressman.

God, you're really reaching. This is almost as pathetic as "Mustard-gate."

No... 1. He's a democrat (albeit a conservative one) not a republican congressman... 2. It would be viewed in such a way that his brother was DENIED teh appointment because of his lack of support...

IOW, If Obama had not put up Scott for appointment it would be viewed conspiratorially, and with him bringing the appointment it's viewed conspiratorially...

[Gauthier]

Another YGO Obama hatchet job falls short. Also in the news: Sky is Blue, and The Pope is Catholic!

[Farnhamia]

Another YGO Obama hatchet job falls short. Also in the news: Sky is Blue, and The Pope is Catholic!

What I liked best about the article I linked was that it was Michelle Bachmann on Larry King who brought the whole thing up.

[NotnotgnimmiJymmiJ]

Obama appoints Matheson
YGO: "Obama appoints Scott Matheson to bribe Congressman Jim Matheson into supporting health care reform."

Obama doesn't appoint Matheson
YGO: "Obama refuses to appoint Scott Matheson to punish Congressman Jim Matheson for not supporting health care reform."

Look YGO, you just hate Obama. There's nothing wrong with that. It's OK, we all get it. You can drop the pretense of non-partisanship.

[Farnhamia]

Obama appoints Matheson
YGO: "Obama appoints Scott Matheson to bribe Congressman Jim Matheson into supporting health care reform."

Obama doesn't appoint Matheson
YGO: "Obama refuses to appoint Scott Matheson to punish Congressman Jim Matheson for not supporting health care reform."

Look YGO, you just hate Obama. There's nothing wrong with that. It's OK, we all get it. You can drop the pretense of non-partisanship.

I'm starting to feel sorry for YGO. He keeps running in here, waving some half-assed story about how Obama is so awful, gets shot down, slinks off, then comes back. Remind you of anyone?

[Nobel Hobos]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

Hey, it's bipartisanship. It cuts your way too you know ... that's kinda the point of it.

But hey, Representative Matheson's brother is free to refuse the appointment and Mr. Matheson can cry to heaven against the attempted bribe.

Did either of them do any such thing?

No.

In fact, Rep. Matheson called the allegation of bribery "absurd."

Linky

Oh, in in the article, "While some Republicans may have questioned motives behind the nomination of Scott Matheson Jr., the GOP members of the Utah congressional delegation did not. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah, praised him as well qualified and hailed his nomination."

You are truly a gentleman. Once again, you correct me and inform me and agree with me, all in the one post. And I think, further the discussion as well.

Nice try, YGO. Once again, a molehill striving and failing to become a mountain.

Nice try, indeed. A most industrious mole !

[Farnhamia]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

Hey, it's bipartisanship. It cuts your way too you know ... that's kinda the point of it.

But hey, Representative Matheson's brother is free to refuse the appointment and Mr. Matheson can cry to heaven against the attempted bribe.

Did either of them do any such thing?

No.

In fact, Rep. Matheson called the allegation of bribery "absurd."

Linky

Oh, in in the article, "While some Republicans may have questioned motives behind the nomination of Scott Matheson Jr., the GOP members of the Utah congressional delegation did not. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah, praised him as well qualified and hailed his nomination."

You are truly a gentleman. Once again, you correct me and inform me and agree with me, all in the one post. And I think, further the discussion as well.

Nice try, YGO. Once again, a molehill striving and failing to become a mountain.

Nice try, indeed. A most industrious mole !

Why, thank you, sir. I accept your compliment in as lady-like a manner as I can (and how can one tell gender here?).

[Nobel Hobos]

Well...
This seems awfully coincidental...
The President invited a number of Representatives, who had previously voted against the Senate version of Obama-care, to the White House the other night to see if he couldn't bring them around to his way of thinking. One of these Representatives was Jim Matheson, of Utah. Turns out Representative Matheson has a brother,Scott, in the legal profession. On the same day that Rep Matheson has dinner with the Prez, the Rep's brother gets nominated to an Appelate Court position in the the 10th Circuit. I wonder how this little tidbit of the appearance of impropriety got leaked....

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-now-selling-appeals-court-judgeships-health-care-votes

Hey, it's bipartisanship. It cuts your way too you know ... that's kinda the point of it.

But hey, Representative Matheson's brother is free to refuse the appointment and Mr. Matheson can cry to heaven against the attempted bribe.

Did either of them do any such thing?

No.

In fact, Rep. Matheson called the allegation of bribery "absurd."

Linky

Oh, in in the article, "While some Republicans may have questioned motives behind the nomination of Scott Matheson Jr., the GOP members of the Utah congressional delegation did not. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah, praised him as well qualified and hailed his nomination."

You are truly a gentleman. Once again, you correct me and inform me and agree with me, all in the one post. And I think, further the discussion as well.

Nice try, YGO. Once again, a molehill striving and failing to become a mountain.

Nice try, indeed. A most industrious mole !

Why, thank you, sir. I accept your compliment in as lady-like a manner as I can (and how can one tell gender here?).

Well, there is a peripheral you can install beneath the keyboard ... but no, I shouldn't speak of that. You are married I believe, and the keyboard already comes between you and your partner I am guessing. No need to speak of the groin peripheral. Except to say that it attaches by USB, and is backwards-compatible with USB 1.1, though with a certain jerkiness due to the lower bandwidth.

Adieu, gentle Farnhamia. I have mammoths to subdue, onions to fry, and absurd thoughts to ARRGH!

NO! Get them away from me! THOUGHTS, THINKYTHINGS, BRAINVIRUSES ! Like buzzards, lurking to eat my BRAIN !

gtg

[Ordo Mallus]

its like your frends and things around you are on fire its only a matter of time untill you realize the house you are in is burning down.