A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Amy Weiss

Both Fox News [1] and the White House press corps [2] don't seem to have much interest in the report released Monday by the Justice Department's Offices of Inspector General and Professional Responsibility. It found that former DOJ White House Liaison Monica Goodling broke federal law in her hiring and promoting practices.

The report [3] concluded that Goodling (and a other DOJ staffers) used political considerations when filling not just political positions but also career positions in the department. Civil Service laws stipulate that employers cannot discriminate based on political affiliations and views in the hiring process for career positions, while political positions are not subject to those same laws.

According to the report, Goodling prevented an extension of a U.S. attorney's detail position because she believed her to be a lesbian:

Both 28 C.F.R. Section 42.1(a) and standard OARM job announcements state that Department policy prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. We concluded that Goodling's actions violated Department policy and federal law, and constituted misconduct.

Goodling also asked questions like "What is it about George W. Bush makes you want to serve him" "Why are you a Republican?" and "Aside from the President, give us an example of someone currently or recently in public service who you admire." (When one applicant said he admired [4] Condoleezza Rice, Goodling "frowned" and said, "but she's pro-choice.")

The report concluded:

Goodling's use of political considerations in connection with these details was particularly damaging to the Department because it resulted in high-quality candidates for important details being rejected in favor of less-qualified candidates.

Fox News only devoted three sentences worth of daytime coverage to the report yesterday and had no mention of it during primetime. The White House press corps has not asked Press Secretary Dana Perino a question about it during a press briefing yet.

Goodling was granted immunity prior to her May 2007 testimony before Congress where she admitted to "crossing a line" with career position applicants so it is unclear what kind of legal action, if any, will be taken against her. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a press release [5] following publication of the report:

The Report also indicates that Monica Goodling, Kyle Sampson, and Alberto Gonzales may have lied to the Congress about these matters. I have directed my staff to closely review this matter and to consider whether a criminal referral for perjury is needed.

Legal expert Jonathan Turley said on Countdown with Keith Olbermann Monday that he thinks this report serves as a preview of the report on the firing of nine U.S. Attorneys by then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' office for political reasons, which the Inspector General is still working on.

Justice investigators said Goodling and others may lose their law licenses. Goodling earned her law degree from Pat Robertson's Regent University, ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a "Tier 4" law school (the lowest tier in the report.) The Regent Law admissions Web page [6] articulates its mission:

Regent Law School seeks to admit students who are serious about the critical roles they will assume as future counselors, conciliators, defenders of the faith, effective client advocates and followers of Christ ...

The personal statement gives the Admissions Committee insight into the student's motivation for studying law and reveals his or her desire to receive a legal education integrated with Christian principles. Regent Law seeks men and women who are dedicated to becoming Christian leaders who will change the world for Christ.

It would seem the legal philosophy Goodling was taught may be in violation of the Constitution she was hired to help protect (separation of church and state, anyone?) -- not surprising considering her ideological extremism and utter disregard for integrity. What is surprising, is that Fox News and White House reporters don't seem to notice. 

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

Technorati Tags: Analysis [12] DOJ [13] Conyers [14] Monica Goodling [15] Alberto Gonzalez [16] Fox News [17]