The Political Chase

GSA Chief Grilled in House Oversight Hearing

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held hearings today on “Allegations of Misconduct at the General Services Administration.” GSA Administrator Lurita Doan was absolutely grilled by Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) about a PowerPoint presentation given by Scott Jennings, who is Karl Rove’s deputy. As evidenced in the video, Doan was dumbfounded, if not mortified.

Jennings gave his presentation to Doan and other GSA employees within a GSA facility, which is illegal. In the hearing, Rep. Barley, holding up copies of the presentation, questioned Barley about each one and Barley testified she had no recollection of the presentation or individual slides, but she could remember that cookies were served and who was missing in the meeting. 

Initially, Doan would not even acknowledge a basic understanding of the slides, in spite of the blatantly obvious content. There were 13 slides with titles such as “2008 House Targets: Top 20.” The presentation’s cover slide was titled “The White House Office of Political Affairs.” Amazing - the government’s top executive who is responsible for all government expenditures that total approximately $60 billion per year, cannot recall a presentation given by the White House nor can she give a basic interpretation of her own on the subject of the slides.

Initially there was a bit of “gentlemanly” sparring between Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Ranking Member Tom Davis (not in video), but it was child’s play when compared to Braley raking Doan over the coals.

Watch the video; it’s a good show.