The Compassionate Coalition

Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Administration Oversight
Source: http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1414

Politicization of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

At the request of Sara Taylor, the former White House Director of Political Affairs, John Walters, the nation’s drug czar, and his deputies traveled to 20 events with vulnerable Republican members of Congress in the months prior to the 2006 elections. The trips were paid for by federal taxpayers and several were combined with the announcement of federal grants or actions that benefited the districts of the Republican members.

A November 20, 2006, memo from Ms. Taylor summarizes the travel Director Walters took at her request. An agency e-mail sent the following day describes how Karl Rove commended the historically nonpartisan Office of National Drug Control Policy and three cabinet departments – Commerce, Transportation, and Agriculture – for “going above and beyond the call of duty” in making “surrogate appearances” at locations the e-mail described as “the god awful places we sent them.” Other documents include an e-mail from the Interior Department to Ms. Taylor’s predecessor stating: “these folks need to be reminded who they work for and how their geographical travel can benefit this President.”

Chairman Waxman wrote to Ms. Taylor to request her attendance at a Committee deposition on or before July 24 and her possible appearance at a Committee hearing on July 30. He also wrote to White House Counsel Fred Fielding, the Republican National Committee, Director Walters, and the Secretaries of the Departments of Commerce, Transportation, and Agriculture requesting relevant documents.

Documents and Links - see: Source: http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1414

Letter to Sara Taylor
Memo Suggesting ONDCP Travel
E-mail from Douglas Simon Describing Meeting with Karl Rove
E-mail from James O'Gara Thanking Douglas Simon
USDA Briefing Request
Interior Department Post-Briefing E-mail
Strategic Overview Powerpoint Presentation (pdf)
Letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding
Letter to Mike Duncan
Letter to John Walters
Letter to Secretary Peters
Letter to Secretary Gutierrez
Letter to Secretary Johanns

See: Source: http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1414