[Ironbarr]

Just now on FOX TV (Greta).

Also this on Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141224,00.html

Kerik Withdraws Nomination to Head DHS
Friday, December 10, 2004

WASHINGTON — Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik (search), President Bush's choice to be homeland security secretary, has withdrawn his name from consideration, the White House announced late Friday.

Presidential press secretary Scott McClellan, in a conference call to news organizations, revealed that Kerik had withdrawn "for personal reasons."

"The president respects his decision and wishes the commissioner and his wife, Hala, well," McClellan said in a statement.

"Commissioner Kerik is withdrawing his name from director of homeland security,ation to be secretary of homeland security."

McClellan said that Kerik telephoned the president at about 8:30 p.m. EST. Kerik also sent a letter to the White House in which he announced his wishes.

McClellan said the White House "will move as quickly as we can to name someone else to fill this nomination."

Bush's nomination of Kerik quickly proved controversial. News reports in recent days focused on revelations that Kerik had made millions of dollars a stun gun company that sold weapons to the Homeland Security Department (search) and which wants more business. The White House had said that Kerik would avoid any conflicts of interest.

[R.H. Lee]

Either he's done something that he can't cover up or he knows he's not up to the job.

[M1911Owner]

Drudge is saying, "Nanny Problem."

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

AP is reporting that he had an illegal immigrant housekeeper/nanny.

Why is it that everyone of the big players has illegals working on the sly? With $6.2 mil stock profit he received he should really hire some "legal" help. Sheesh.

I guess this is for the better. If he hires illegal aliens he will certainly not work on the immigration problem.

[Standing Wolf]

Good riddance!

I'm sure if he's admitting to illegal alien nanny and unpaid tax problems, he had lots of ugly disqualifiers lurking beneath the surface.

I think I've finally understood why Bush wants to grant amnesty to the millions upon millions of illegal aliens that infest our nation: all his friends want illegal alien nannies for their kids, plus the opportunity to cheat on taxes, as well. That's certainly more important than the nation's security, isn't it?

[M1911Owner]

Update: Drudge has dropped the "Nanny Problem" headline, as is reporting that it may have to do with his actions as police commissioner... Developing...

[Malone LaVeigh]

I'm sure the next thug will be just as bad.

[JimJD]

Here's another article on the subject:

Kerik and the DHS (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041211/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush_homeland_security)

This little snippet could have caused some raised eyebrows too... just a bit.

But the only moderately troubling information uncovered about Kerik so far had been news that Kerik had earned $6.2 million by exercising stock options he received from Taser International, which did lucrative business with the Homeland Security Department, this official said.

The White House had defended him against questions of conflict of interest involving his relationship with Taser. "We have full confidence in his integrity and we are confident that he will take the appropriate steps necessary to make sure that there are no conflicts there," White House press secretary Scott McClellan had said at his midday briefing.


Would have been "interesting" to see what Kerik would have done if He did take the job.

[Rebar]

I think I've finally understood why Bush wants to grant amnesty to the millions upon millions of illegal aliens that infest our nation: all his friends want illegal alien nannies for their kids, plus the opportunity to cheat on taxes, as well.
as I recall, quite a few of Clinton's friends had the same issue, and he also was quite willing to grant amnesty in exchange for votes.

[Cool Hand Luke 22:36]

Bernie, we hardly knew ya...

[Leatherneck]

ComPost this morning says it was the nanny problem. Good riddance. I had a feeling this guy would be a nightmare for individual rights--especially gun rights.

Next?

TC
TFL Survivor

[dinosaur]

If anyone seriously thinks it was a "nanny problem" you're gonna love this bridge I got here. :rolleyes:

[WT]

Whatever the reason, he was not qualified for the job.

[RealGun]

If anyone seriously thinks it was a "nanny problem" you're gonna love this bridge I got here. - dinosaur

Kudos for the insight of the day. Kerik's whole story had an odor about it. I think it might be difficult to find an interested person with relevant professional experience who is "clean" enough to serve in a high profile position.

Kerik's police background caught me off guard. I hadn't thought of Homeland Security as a police function. Is this the beginning of an SS for the US? Considering how the intelligence functions are being restructured, will we find the FBI and DEA outranked by Homeland Security (DHS) "officers" and jurisdiction?

[WT]

Kerik's police experience includes 3 years as an Army MP reaching PFC, a brief spell as a LEO in Fayetteville, another few years as a county jail guard in NJ, 8 years as a NYPD street and UC cop reaching 3rd grade detective, another few years as an admin weanie in NYC Corrections, and finally 16 months as PC of NYPD.

He spent some time in Baghdad where he set up the PD. Since then 1/3 of the Baghdad police have been terminated because they failed background checks ....... just like Bernie's nanny.

[tyme]

How do they run background checks on Iraqi citizens? Do they believe the police and court documents from the period of Saddam's rule, err, I mean presidency?

[why_me]

Hes better off. Its a fall guy position. And pretty near impossible to do right.
Its both a nanny problem and a conflict of interest problem. Now that he has a potential felony investigation on tax evasion and knowingly hiring an illegal alien. Can we ban his gun rights for life?

Obligatory link
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/10/kerik.withdraws/

Kerik said in a news release the immigration problem with the former housekeeper and nanny was discovered while he was completing documents required for his Senate confirmation.

He said he also learned "that for a period of time during such employment, required tax payments and related filings had not been made."

I do find it hilarious that a police officer didnt know the immigration status of an employee of his AND somehow unknowingly didnt pay taxes on her. Maybe he didnt have a SS# from her or something like that. So he just payed her in cash.

[spartacus2002]

I hadn't thought of Homeland Security as a police function. Is this the beginning of an SS for the US?

Some of us came to that conclusion the first time Bush uttered the words "Department of Homeland Security."

[why_me]

Sorry couldnt resist. lol
(movie line please dont put me on the other team)
http://www.movieforum.com/people/makers/stanleykubrick/images/spartacus.jpg

[Croyance]

Whatever the real story is, I'm surprised that the Bush Whitehouse did not do a thorough background check on their "short list" before presenting the top choise to the public.

[longeyes]

Well, this opens the door for Joe Lieberman or Jane Harman.

HELP!!!!!! :evil:

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

You forgot Waxman :what:

[MICHAEL T]

There was a report on Drudge earlier in week that when he ran corrections 1 million came up missing and was found in some fund he had set up. I wouldn't hire this guy to babysit.

[wingman]

My thoughts to this guy was no way when he was selected, reminded me of
the group Nixon had on his payroll, just got a bad feeling, can't explain it. :barf:

[denfoote]

YES!!!!!!!!

[WT]

FWIW - it is now being reported that a BENCH WARRANT has been made out for Kerik by the East Rutherford, NJ Court. Seems Kerik is behind in his maintenance payments for a condominium to the tune of $20,000 and has refused to respond. Foreclosure proceedings have begun on his condo at 39 Triumph Circle, East Rutherford.

Questions have come up as to why he only spent 14 weeks in Iraq when his contract called for 6 months. I wonder how many Tasers he sold in Iraq when he was 'chief of police' and major stockholder of Taser Co.?

His nanny was part of a identity theft ring. She was using papers, Social Security number, etc. from another person without that person's knowledge. The nanny is now safely back in Mexico.

Looks like he hasn't paid all his New York taxes, either.

Let's see what else pops up in the next few days.

[spartacus2002]

Asa Hutchinson is mentioned as a possible replacement. Remember, that is the guy who made an ass of himself on the morning DJ show in LA (?) when they quizzed him about why he stopped the sweeps for illegal immigrants.

Anybody still got that link to the audio?

[lostone1413]

Yep that is just what we need Someone in charge of homeland security that doesn't see nothing wrong with the illegals just walking over. I voted for GWB but it was a vote against Kerry instead of a vote for GWB. More and more I wonder what the war in Iraq is really about. Lots of oil their and GWB and allot of the leaders in Washington have made allot of money in oil. I for one can't buy the idea if 4 million illegals coming over every year isn't a threat to are country that Iraq is that big a threat. Then again their is allot more profit with paying low wages to worker. Say you think oil and the cheap labor from the illegals could be a reason for are leaders doing what they are doing?? You can take it to the bank!

[Chuck Jennings]

Anybody still got that link to the audio?

http://www.johnandkenshow.com/audio.php?pageID=2

[longeyes]

Newsmax
Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 10:52 a.m. EST
'Trusted' Janet Reno Aide Touted as Homeland Chief

A woman described as "a close personal friend of [former] Attorney General Janet Reno" who also seved as Reno's
"most trusted adviser" has become the media's favorite candidate to replace Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge,
after Bernard Kerik withdrew his name from contention late Friday.

Frances Fragos Townsend currently serves as the White House's homeland security advisor. But Washington
insiders marvel at her ability to survive the transition from the Clinton administration.

"To many old Washington hands, the casting is stunning," reported U.S. News & World Report in early December.
"A registered Republican, Townsend, 42, is a holdover from the Clinton administration, where she served as
Attorney General Janet Reno's trusted but controversial intelligence adviser."

U.S. News noted that the former Clintonista was "so controversial that Reno's replacement, John Ashcroft, dropped
Townsend from the top intelligence job."

But now, said the magazine, "She's back in power--big time."

"There's this huge head scratch to the whole thing," a former Justice Department official in the Clinton administration
said. "How can this crowd of people [at the Bush White House] who are all about, 'Oh, you've got to be a true
believer,' let her into the fold and allow her to reach this incredible height?"

While Townsend has her fans in the Bush administration - most notably Deputy Attorney General James Comey,
who dropped a Pardongate probe into Hillary Clinton in 2002 - she also has her detractors.

"She's one of the most ambitious people I've met," a former Bush administration official told the magazine. "She's
always sucking up."

In 1998, at Attorney General Reno's request, Townsend became the head of the powerful Office of Intelligence
Policy and Review.

According to U.S. News, Townsend found herself in the middle of that debate over the notorious
intelligence-sharing "wall" erected by Reno's other trusted deputy, Jamie Gorelick.

"Many FBI agents say Townsend was crucial in obtaining FISA wiretaps, especially during the period of heightened
terrorism concerns around the new millennium," said U.S. News.

"But many prosecutors felt that Townsend was less than helpful in making sure the FBI shared wiretap data with
lawyers at Main Justice when there was evidence of criminal activity. . . Some Justice Department prosecutors felt
Townsend wanted to keep the wall up because it kept prosecutors out of national security investigations, leaving
more authority in the hands of Townsend and friendly bureau agents."

Both the Government Accountability Office and the 9/11 Commission blamed Townsend's agency in part for the
government's intelligence failures before the 9/11 attacks.

Despite the mixed reviews, the former Clintonista has become a favorite with the press.

The New York Daily News, which has been sharply critical of Kerik, headlined a glowing profile of Townsend on
Sunday, "For Her, Homeland Security Means Life & Death."

The press campaign on behalf of the former Reno aide has even drawn the attention of foreign reporters, with
Agence France Press noting on Saturday, "According to US media, Bush may now turn to Frances Townsend, the
White House homeland security adviser, as the next head of the department."

[4v50 Gary]

I doubt if the bench warrant is for failure to pay his bills. Debtors' Prison went out years ago. Nor can it be for the breach of contract when he cut his tour in Iraq too short. That's a civil matter.

Now, misappropriating public funds for private use is something for which an arrest warrant may be issued.

Homeland Security - sheeshs. The gubmint arm that wants us to be sheeple.

[WT]

My understanding is that the 'bench warrant' is for 'failure to appear.' Judges in civil court don't like to be ignored.

[Hawkmoon]

My understanding is that the 'bench warrant' is for 'failure to appear.' Judges in civil court don't like to be ignored.
Dunno how the courts work in NJ, but where I come from if one party in a civil dispute fails to show, the judge usually just enters a default judgment in favor of the other party and goes home. Bench warrants are for crim-uh-nals.

[WT]

More .......

It also appears Kerik forgot to report the gifts he received when he was PC of NYPD. Jewelry, furniture for his new home, his wedding reception, etc.

He sort of had sex with his subordinates, too. I hope it wasn't with those 2 gorillas posing as his bodyguards.

[denfoote]

Remember the can of worms I opened up here about a week ago??

My gut level hunches are usually right!!
No wonder Chucky, the little Demonrat doll, endorsed him!!
Dolls of a feather...

BTW, I TOLD YOU SO!!!! :neener:

[Selfdfenz]

Looks like this fellow pulled his own card before it got pulled for him.
Not sure for a fact were he stood on 2A but if past behavior is any indication we, as owners and users of firearms, are better off.

Drudge is loaded with stuff about this dude's darks side issues but of primary concern is Guliani may have had a major hand in convincing W to pick Kerick in the first place. It scares me W depends on a fellow like Guliani for advice on this kind for this caliber of appointment.
Let's hope W pulls a better rabbit out of his hat on the next go round.

I wonder if some of the staunch verbal support W received here on THR following the election might be reconsidered by those that made it given this fiasco.

S-

[Croyance]

Well my support of any candidate in the last few elections was shaky and based on "least-worst" and which would do less overall damage to rights and country.

The Whitehouse is trying to blame it all on Kerik. Hey, if a guy is dishonest, can you count on him telling you? An honest man and a con man will give you the same answers. The Whitehouse had the responsibility to do background research on him. You can blame a person for lying to you, but given the time and resources, you have to take the blame for beliving the lie.
NBC news says that the FBI does a background check after a candidate is announced, but that shouldn't have stopped the administration from doing its own check. Consider something else - individual writers and news organizations have less resources. If they find something with less people and resources, what does that say about you?

[RealGun]

I wonder if some of the staunch verbal support W received here on THR following the election might be reconsidered by those that made it given this fiasco. - selfdfenz

Sorry, the ball's in your court. The question is whether some can ever give up there penchant for Bush bashing. After the election it's time for people to be supportive of their President. If they have any continuing concerns, the only thing they can do about it is plan for the next election, the campaign for which will start soon enough. The time for shrill naysaying has passed. You can either think positively or negatively. Guess which one is considered healthier.

The Whitehouse is trying to blame it all on Kerik. - Croyance

Look how you are rationalizing here. You are predisposed to find fault and fabricating reasons to be critical. Put yourself in a similar situation and see how it feels. What do you actually "know"? The background checking process worked exactly the way it is supposed to. If it forces someone out, why is it suddenly fair to say they should have known?

[Selfdfenz]

RealGun,

"Look how you are rationalizing here."

Sorry, but you might benefit from a dose of that same medication.

S-

[spartacus2002]

Looks like he failed to disclose gifts.... so he has ethics issues too. Sheesh!!

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/261266p-223749c.html

[RealGun]

RealGun,

"Look how you are rationalizing here."

Sorry, but you might benefit from a dose of that same medication.

Seldfenz-

This illustrates your point about how we don't listen to each other, so why bother.

[WT]

In addition to his wife, Kerik had 2 girlfriends - CO Jeannette Pinero (married) and publisher Judith Regan. The guy must have been popping Viagra like breath mints.

He also had a secret apartment in NYC where he met his 2 girlfriends. (Hope he changed sheets.) Some company was paying $6,000 per month in rent for Bernie.

Also got a couple of lawsuits against him - 6 figures.

Now there is talk about Mob ties .......

[Selfdfenz]

If that Judith Regan is this one:

"The editors were impressed, and she joined Simon & Schuster, developing a string of best-selling celebrity “tell-all” books, including those by talk show host Rush Limbaugh and radio personality Howard Stern."

....the Rush show might be an interesting listen today. Wonder how he will spin it?

S-

[publius]

In addition to his wife, Kerik had 2 girlfriends - CO Jeannette Pinero (married) and publisher Judith Regan. The guy must have been popping Viagra like breath mints.


Wooo Hooooo!!!!

Uh, I mean, uh... that's wrong! ;)

It's the same Judith Regan, Stern was talking about it today. This guy had a whole lot going on!

[FPrice]

"....the Rush show might be an interesting listen today. Wonder how he will spin it?"

Rush called Kerik's two affairs a "resume enhancement. For Democrats".

After some "jokes" about the situation he then transitioned to the Mark Rich involvement in the UN Oil for Food program to I guess demonstratr a real scandal.

[ACP]

It just gets worse. So much for supposed Republican morals... :barf:



Tuesday December 14, 6:38 AM
Kerik Problems May Have Gone Beyond Nanny
Bernard Kerik's nanny problem might have proved the least of his troubles if he had pressed ahead with his bid to become homeland security secretary.

The past few days have seen news reports about a rash of possible personal and professional improprieties on the part of the former New York City police commissioner, including big stock-option windfalls, connections with people suspected of doing business with the mob, and, on Monday, allegations he had simultaneous extramarital affairs with two women.

Citing unidentified sources, the New York Daily News said Kerik had overlapping affairs with Judith Regan, the publisher of his recent memoir, and a city correction officer. He used the same New York City apartment for liaisons with the women during his 18-month tenure as head of the nation's largest police department ending in 2001, the paper said.

Kerik, 49, who married his current wife in 1998 and has two children with her, apparently grew close to Regan while writing his book, "The Lost Son," in which he described being abandoned by his prostitute mother.

The relationship first drew scrutiny in 2001 after Kerik reportedly dispatched detectives to question people the publisher had accused of stealing her cell phone. In 2002, Kerik was ordered to pay a conflict-of-interest fine for using three police officers to do research about his mother for the book.

Other recent reports claim that around the same time of the alleged affairs, Kerik accepted unreported gifts of thousands of dollars in cash and other items from associates at a New Jersey construction company while serving under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, first as correction chief, then as police commissioner. Authorities suspect the company, Interstate Industrial Corp., has ties to organized crime; the company denies any wrongdoing.

Kerik's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, said Monday he would not comment on any aspect of his client's personal life. A call to Regan was not immediately returned.

Giuliani _ a close friend and business associate who had actively promoted the former street cop's Cabinet candidacy _ refused to discuss the alleged affairs.

"The things about his personal life, he'll have to answer himself," he told reporters outside his New York consulting firm, where Kerik also works.

Kerik withdrew his nomination Friday night because, it turned out, he had briefly employed an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper and nanny.

Giuliani still insisted Kerik would have been a "very, very good choice" for homeland security secretary if not for the nanny problem.

"Everyone thinks he would have been superbly qualified," he said, adding that Kerik would remain a partner at the firm, Giuliani Partners.

President Bush remains convinced Kerik "is someone who has a solid record of achievement," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

It was unclear whether Kerik was working on Monday. A message left for him at Giuliani Partners was not immediately returned.

When Bush picked Kerik on Dec. 3 to succeed Tom Ridge as homeland security chief, he won early support in Republican and some Democratic quarters based on his leadership of the Police Department following the Sept. 11 attacks.

But others questioned whether Kerik had the management experience to continue the nearly 2-year-long effort to meld the pieces of the sprawling Homeland Security Department, which has more than 180,000 employees from 22 federal agencies.

Democrats also were focusing on Kerik's recent windfall from exercising stock options in a stun gun company that does business with the department. He earned $6.2 million from the options received from Taser International.

Those around Kerik _ and even Kerik himself _ may have paid the price for becoming too enamored of his image as a brash, self-made law enforcer, said Stanley Renshon, a political scientist and psychoanalyst at the City University of New York's Graduate Center in Manhattan.

"Kerik is a great rags-to-accomplishment story and Bush really likes that because it fits into is view of the American dream," Renshon said. "What's different about them is that Bush is pretty much a straight shooter. He's a straight-and-narrow kind of guy, and Kerik clearly is a lot less that."

___

Associated Press writers Donna de la Cruz and Devlin Barrett in Washington contributed to this report.

[spartacus2002]

I stand by my original assessment of Kerik as Sec of DHS: a bullet-headed thug who thinks the rules apply only to those he would oppress with his Dept of Fatherland Zekurity, not to him.

[Croyance]

Look how you are rationalizing here. You are predisposed to find fault and fabricating reasons to be critical. Put yourself in a similar situation and see how it feels. What do you actually "know"? The background checking process worked exactly the way it is supposed to. If it forces someone out, why is it suddenly fair to say they should have known? - RealGunI am predisposed to believing people should do their job competently. Are the "gifts", warrant, and affairs fabricated? Is there a reasonable belief that everybody tells you all the dirt on their background, or is should you research a guy?
How would it feel if I was in the same situation? Pretty bad, because I didn't do my job. It is also so public that I shouldn't be expected to find another job after my stunning incompetence was found.
The backgrouind checking process is supposed to have guys suprise you with their background? The "process" is having a guy lead you into a minefield? What if he said nothing until the Whitehouse was ambushed in confirmation hearings or until reporters uncover a candidate's background for you?
The FBI background check doesn't begin until the candidate is announced, but reporters hardly have the resources of the FBI. The Whitehouse should have done their homework, period. Why is it fair to say this? Because they have staffs of lawyers, aids, and connections to find out. Not the huge resources of the Drudge report or The Smoking Gun, sure, but an adequate group.

[Croyance]

The evening news has also reported that the White House also knew of Kerik's "colorful past" but thought he could make it through the hearings anyways. How much they knew remains in question, but the iceberg theory should have tipped them off to do homework. If you hear or know of a little, there is a lot more out there. Find out!

RealGun, a part I forgot to say. For eight years the Republicans would have me believe everything they had to say about Democrats. Why does the same standard not apply to them? They claimed that Republicans were the moral party and every piece of gossip about Clinton was true. Thus, they are doubly damned in my eyes. First, as I said, I should by their claims hold rumors about them to the same standard of proof. Second, they claim to be better so they should be held to higher standards.
Or we can all admit they are all of the same ilk. The White House has yet to say that any of the information brought up about Kerik is wrong or exaggerated. Neither has Guilliani. If they have evidence exonerating him, or if Kerik himself has evidence, why is it not brought forward.

[RealGun]

The FBI background check doesn't begin until the candidate is announced,

Exactly, and there you have it. Prior to that there was Giuliani's credible recommendation, which may not be so credible from this point forward.

[Standing Wolf]

Prior to that there was Giuliani's credible recommendation, which may not be so credible from this point forward.

As far as I'm conerned, recommendations from R.I.N.O.s are perfect reasons to pass candidates over.

[why_me]

Took out Giuliani also. Dont think you will see much of Rudolf the red faced adulterer either

[Selfdfenz]

The Kerik Bomb
Rudolf the red faced adulterer

Come on man!
I laughed so hard I'm gona have touble getting to sleep now.

Best,
S-

[why_me]

He was a hotshot attorney working for the US Department of Justice. She was a glamorous television reporter living in Miami, Florida. When they met on a blind date in 1981, it was love at first sight.

But all would not go well in the relationship of Rudy Giuliani and Donna Hanover. While Hizzoner's alleged tryst with aide Cristyne Lategano had tongues wagging in 1997, it wasn't until 2000 that this mayoral union became a truly tabloid affair. Like the opera the mayor so greatly enjoys, this relationship had it all — romance, illness, politics, and a red-hot show about vaginas. For all you out-of-towners — or those who just can't get enough Rudy-Judi-Donna gossip — here's a look back on the divorce that rocked New York.

He ran an aborted campaign for U.S. Senate in 2000 against Hillary Rodham Clinton, withdrawing because of prostate cancer and the fallout from his relationship with Judith Nathan (he was married at the time to Donna Hanover, but they later divorced, and in late 2002 he became engaged to marry Nathan). He and Hanover have one son and one daughter. He married Nathan in May 2003.
even more
Then he announced that he was leaving his wife and that he'd need his
girlfriend now more than ever. His estranged wife (an actress currently
starring in a play called "The Vagina Cronicles".) learned of the divorce by
watching the news and so countered with a press conference of her own
telling the world that Rudy had an earlier affair with a staff member who
has subsequently been given the cushy and lucrative position as the city's
director of tourism, funneling visitors into the newly re-modeled, family
friendly Times Square. (This is more amusing if you know that most American
soap operas are produced in NYC. The plots are famously preposterous, but
the Rudy show out does them all in this respect.)

[gunsmith]

While my bro (LEO originally in NYC) thinks gulianni walks on water,i am glad he and kerik took a beating.
they have control issues!

[why_me]

I thought he was a good mayor despite All the rumors and infidelitys. But then i dont live on the east coast anymore. Hey selfdefnz you still laughing?

[Croyance]

Exactly, and there you have it. Prior to that there was Giuliani's credible recommendation, which may not be so credible from this point forward. - RealGun Which really means that the small army of lawyers, politicians, and assistants should do their freaking jobs and make some calls - as I said. It just shows lack of work ethic and forethought.
A lot of this information was easy enough to find. Thesmokinggun.com and Drudge hardly have the resources to rival the White House. Unless the White House decided credibility didn't matter and went on to do other things.
One person's recommendation doesn't mean much, no matter who it is from. Individuals know each other in limited contexts. Further, there may be reasons in their relationship why Guilliani doesn't know about the shady side of Kerik. Kerik withheld information from the White House, why wouldn't he do the same to Guilliani?

[Bruce H]

Well gee whiz, with a single nomination George W. Bush does a credible job of ruining NYC republicans. He just removed two for the price of one four years before the next election. I hope his nominations are this succesful for a long time. There is a lot of slime in high places that needs removed. :evil:

[tyme]

With Rudy suffering debilitating shrapnel wounds, maybe Condoleeza Rice has a better shot at the 2008 nomination?

[Master Blaster]

Hey anybody thats anybody in NewYork, got there by lying, cheating and or stepping on the heads of other folks on the way up. Its a competitive environment, and you are either a shark, or you're shark meat.

Gulianni was having an affair with a staffer or two while he was married, and eventually divorced his wife and married his mistress while he was still in office. No doubt he has taken a present or two from the rich and powerful, and as a result of his connections and the favors he did while in office is now rich and powerful himself.

Why do you think Hillary moved to NewYork of all places?????? ;)

[WT]

Hillary moved to NY to be with her lesbian lover and to use it as a stepping stone for the presidency.

It appears that Kerik's 3rd wife has now popped out. County clerk for Fayetteville, NC.

[Selfdfenz]

Why me

Kerik bomb...yep....still cracks me up.
Yep, still laughing about all this!!!

S-

[Selfdfenz]

Woop just saw this:
"It appears that Kerik's 3rd wife has now popped out. County clerk for Fayetteville, NC."

I must have missed something...did he have a bunch of wives all at the same time too!!!
The madness of it all!

And in FayetteNam of all places! That's a funny place to start saving the world from.

S-

[WT]

Kerik was an MP at Ft. Bragg. He protected it from a Cherokee attack. Pretty successful since I understand the Army is still in charge at Bragg, not the Cherokees. He reached the rank of PFC - obviously he was targeted as one who was going places.

Anyway, the Fayetteville wife was his first after he abandoned his live in girlfriend and his daughter. He wasn't married to his GF so I guess that doesn't count.

As an aside, I hear he claims that he was not 'on the take' as PC of NYPD. True, he got a lot of presents as PC (hundreds of thousands of dollars) but never gave anything in return. Thus, he has no reason to fear the Internal Affairs investigation that the current PC Kelly has ordered.

[Selfdfenz]

"Kerik was an MP at Ft. Bragg. He protected it from a Cherokee attack. Pretty successful since I understand the Army is still in charge at Bragg, not the Cherokees. He reached the rank of PFC - obviously he was targeted as one who was going places."

It's official now. I following this thread for the humor content!
why me and WT you guys get this weeks Signfeld Award.

S-

[flatrock]

The nanny problem does seem like a good reason to disqualify him.

Attacking him over TASER was just politicaly motivated attempt to smear him based on the fact that he was successful at something.

He and TASER made a good fit. He had practical knowledge, and knew who to talk to and how to demonstrate to prospective customers how the product fit their needs.

He made a profit by using the knowledge he gained through many years of experience and used that knowledge to help see a useful product.

The fact that the Department of Homeland Security buys a lot of products from a company he works for on the board of directors should surprise no one. What do you want, the government to hire a guy with no experience in the field?

I think it's a very good idea for the government to utilize people who don't spend their entire careers as government employees, and if you want good people from industry, the industry they worked for is very likely going to be related to the job their being hired for.

There's no conflict of interest. The department of homeland security bought the TASERS before anyone there likely even knew he might be considered for the job. He made money from his stock options, but before he could take the job he would have to divest himself of the stock to remove the conflict of interest.

This is kind of a bad deal for government employees because they cannot use their experience to make good investment choices like people can in the commercial world. However, it removes the potential conflict of interest.

His experience at TASER should have been considered another reason he was good for the job. Instead the liberal attack machine made it sound like a bad thing.

[WT]

I just find it amazing that a street kid from New Jersey pulled one over on the President of the United States.

Anyway, until a few days ago, Kerik's home address and home phone number was on Yahoo People Search. Can't find it now.

[RealGun]

Whatever the real story is, I'm surprised that the Bush White House did not do a thorough background check on their "short list" before presenting the top choice to the public. - Croyance

Washington Post story (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64738-2004Dec14.html?referrer=email)

The Washington Post has a story 12/15/04 that addresses this directly. There were recommendations from Giuliani, Schumer, Hillary, and others, but the killer was Kerik's lack of candor during vetting interviews. Actual investigation comes later in the process and would have ultimately uncovered what we now know.

The judgment of WH staff is in question, because some of the problems were known and considered controllable. It was the nanny thing that had a direct bearing on his prospective oversight of immigration. That issue was withheld by Kerik, or it took him awhile to realize how tainted his background really was. He is directly responsible for the scandal. Woulda/coulda/shoulda doesn't change that. However, you will win the argument, since the WH is bound to be more thorough from this point forward.

What's interesting is how this took out Giuliani too, who is not your Mom and apple pie Republican either.

[WT]

Well, today The Post reported that Kerik has been seen with a couple of sweet young blonde thangs', 20's, tight jeans and fur coats. The guy never gives up.

I think what really did him in was his desire to jump Laura.

[R.H. Lee]

Ditto what Bruce H said.

[lostone1413]

Could be WT LOL. More I read I wonder should he have been arresting the BG or be in jail himself.You read about his running after the women then gifts he got add that to reading about the mob connections.The Homeland Security is a joke anyway. Just a way to take away more of are rights.Anyone who thinks the TASER deal was on the up and up I got a good deal on a bridge. LOL Seen things like this happen more then once with the people connected in and out of the law. With GWB even thinking about him tells me allot.