Monday, September 20, 2010
Former U.S. attorney rips Tim Griffin
Posted by Gerard Matthews on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Paul Charlton, one of the ousted U.S. attorneys who spoke at the UALR Bowen School of Law this afternoon, had more to say about 2nd Congressional District candidate Tim Griffin's role in the scandal than did Bud Cummins, a lot more. (Though Cummins refusal to say who'll vote for in the 2nd District election spoke eloquently enough.)
If you'll recall and Ernest Dumas wrote in detail about it here The White House engineered Bud Cummins' ouster as U.S. attorney to make way for Griffin, who was a White House political operative. Charlton said Griffin's role in the firing of Bud Cummins was a character issue and that Griffin had somehow managed to escape scrutiny.
"Character matters," Charlton said. "And I don’t think people change over a short period of time. Most people can change their ways over a long period of time and a good bit of reflection, but I think Mr. Griffin is the same person today as he was when he sought the position of U.S. attorney. The true Griffin is the individual we saw reflected in emails he was sending to Karl Rove, for example, saying he would name his first child after Rove if it was a boy, or slandering Bud or crying at the Clinton Library in a talk about Public Service. Those are examples of the individual that now wants to represent Arkansas in Congress."
Read the full telephone Q&A with Charlton on the jump.
Said Charlton:
I’ve seen the video in which Mr. Griffin wept as he said he no longer felt that public service was worthwhile and it struck me as more than ironic that he was in that state of mind after he had essentially destroyed Bud Cummins’s chance to stay in office as U.S. attorney even though Bud was doing a terrific job. He had slandered Bud while he was a U.S. attorney and used his position with Karl Rove to move Bud out of office. Bud handled it very much like a gentleman and with a great deal of grace and I don’t think I could say the same of Mr. Griffin.
It seems that Griffin’s opponent in the race has been reluctant to really hammer Griffin on his role in the U.S. attorney scandal.
That’s extraordinary because character matters. And I don’t think people change over a short period of time. Most people can change their ways over a long period of time and a good bit of reflection, but I think Mr. Griffin is the same person today as he was when he sought the position of U.S. attorney. The true Griffin is the individual we saw reflected in emails he was sending to Karl Rove, for example, saying he would name his first child after Rove if it was a boy, or slandering Bud or crying at the Clinton Library in a talk about Public Service. Those are examples of the individual that now wants to represent Arkansas in Congress.
So you think it deserves more attention than it has received so far?
It deserves attention. It’s all part of his record. I saw his quote where he said he wants to move forward and that’s good as well, but I think it’s a maxim that makes sense to me that the past is often prologue. It could be true for Mr. Griffin and I think it’s worth voters being aware of that fact.
What about the people who are going to say, ‘This guy’s just trying to smear Griffin,’ or ‘He’s just a liberal with an agenda?’
I’m a registered Republican, have been since I was 18 years of age. I’ll match my conservative credentials against anyone’s. I’m not picking a dog in this congressional race. But I do think that if anybody’s going to consider whether Tim Griffin is the right person to run for this seat, it’s got to involve more than who hates Nancy Pelosi the most. It’s got to be, ‘Who’s the person with the sufficient character.’ And maybe at the end of the day that is Mr. Griffin, but it deserves discussion and examination.
You don’t think this has been sufficiently reported?
I don’t think it has been, at least in the articles that I’ve read and it seems to be batted down pretty quickly with remarks like, ‘I’m focusing on the future.’ That’s a worthwhile response, but I think he ought to sit down and talk about what his role was and what he did and how he justifies that.
In your mind, what were some of Griffin’s most egregious offenses?
I think one of the things that he did was spread the rumors around the White House that Bud Cummins was not a good U.S. attorney. When the inspector general’s report came out and they asked people about the source of that rumor, it all pointed back to Mr. Griffin. He was the sole source of that information. He, for example, lied about the number of trials he had when he was in JAG. I’m a career prosecutor. I think how many prosecutions and felony jury trials you’ve had means something, especially for anyone who wants to take the job of U.S. attorney. If you misrepresent that, then you need to be held to account for that. I think the fact that he was at a mind at one point in time to emotionally claim that he would never be in public service again because it wasn’t worth it, and to now be vigorously running for office, I think that’s worth examination. I don’t know if he was telling the truth then or telling the truth now. That’s an inconsistency that I think ought to be explored.
But in your mind it all comes down to character?
It is absolutely an issue of character.
Background Wikipedia: Paul K. Charlton was one of seven U.S. attorneys dismissed on December 7, 2006 by the Bush administration. Charlton was confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for the United States Attorney's Office District of Arizona on November 6, 2001. Charlton was informed of his dismissal by Justice Department official Michael A. Battle on December 7, 2006, and announced his resignation on December 19, 2006, effective January 31, 2007. Charlton's office had been honored with the Federal Service Award and hailed by the Justice Department as a "model program" for its protection of crime victims. Charlton ranked in the top third among the nation's 93 US attorneys in contributing to an overall 106,188 federal prosecutions filed in 2006; scored in the top third in number of convictions; oversaw a district in the top five highest in number of immigration-related prosecutions; ranked among the top 20 offices for drug prosecutions; and, unlike in the other seven cases, ranked high in weapons cases, prosecuting 199 of the United States' 9,313 such cases in 2006, the tenth-highest in the country and up fourfold from 2002.
Comments (43)
Showing 1-43 of 43
I'll never understand why Bud the Stud insists on playing so "nice-nice" with the thugs who kicked his teeth down his throat. Turn the other cheek? Sorry, but I never believed in such nonsense. I'm with Harry Truman: Kick 'em in the balls.
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Actually, Griffin is an unindided felon who should be in jail next to Rove for voter fraud and intimidation and denying military personnel serving in a war zone the right to vote. I thought that was what they were fighting for. Is it too late to expect a U S Attorney to actually do their job or is everyone in and from Florida a weenie (that's you Keet)?
An anonymous philosopher has said, "You don't fool with the Golden Rule when the other guy won't fight fair." While I might not subscribe to that view, I do understand that political campaigns are about combat. If Griffin had the kind of information on Elliott that we know about Griffin, he'd be all over the airwaves with it.
Griffin's character, integrity, and even his intellectual honesty and emotional stability are on the table based on uncontrovertible evidence of his past conduct. The Elliott campaign needs to bring these issues to the forefront of the campaign and stay on them. If I were running her campaign, I sure would, and I'd tell her to take the lead on talking about them in forceful and direct language everytime she talks about the difference between herself and Griffin.
I really hope Joyce can turn it up and out! There are so many large Griffin signs around town, espcially Cantrell Road. One of my favorite nut shows is that wack-a-loon's house just West on Cantrell and University. You know the one that blames ball cancer on the demos?!
"Character Matters" - those are the exact same words I've been thinking about Tim Griffin lately.
I think the 2nd District probably agrees with Tim Griffin on his stated positions more than they agree with Joyce Elliot. But... character matters. Tim Griffin is the biggest crook to seek election in Arkansas in recent years. He is a magnet for scandals, and it's highly probably that he will be an embarrassment to our state if he is elected.
I don't agree with Joyce Elliott much on the issues, but there is no doubt that she is by far the more honorable and decent person in the race. I might cast a protest vote for her, or leave the ballot unmarked in this race, but I will never vote for a snake like Tim Griffin because: character matters.
My question for Gerard was whether he jizzed in his pants during the interview, then jizzed again during transcription and jizzed one more time when he hit "post."
I'm not too worried about it, but I'm certain that if Max could've, he would've worked one out too.
My god. It's been so long since I've heard a measured, rational, honest Republican I'd forgotten they existed.
Of course, I don't know Mr. Charlton's take on same-sex equality and women's right to self-determination -- in other words, Charlton's willingness (or not) to legislate from the pulpit and make like a theocracy.
Nor can I grasp how he, or anybody, still suffers the delusion that the economy is "better" under Republican administrations when factually the reverse has been true for at least 50 years.
But I appreciate anything truthful and rational I can get from ANY Republican.
Gee, Burn, you really bring substance to this blog with your empty-headed posts. Momma know you're on the computer posting trash?
It is disgusting that Griffin will be elected, it also speaks loudly to the Republican voter's conscience that they simply don't give a damn about ethics if the candidate they support hates the right issues and people. But we knew that already.
Bud is a real disappointment, the other fired attorneys lauded his courage in defending them today, but Bud couldn't close the deal. He chose to remain silent about Griffen's assent, because he doesn't care as much about his country as he did his former coworkers.
That's all you have burn?
Jesus, do you even care?
Or does Timmah pay you enough to sell your soul?
Now that I'm not living in Pulaski County, I'll ask all of you who are still Vic Snyder's constituents. Whay hasn't Elliot's campaign nailed Griffin over his caging and the US Attorney purging?
Imagine that, Burn Notice not having anything intelligent to say?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGcNKhmYlhA
Better question is why have reporters fallen asleep on a story that is right in front of their face?
I wonder why it is that more Arkansans (much less Americans) don't realize that the goal of the GOP is to limit our rights and enrich the already rich at the expense of the middle class.
Hattie, the "state paper" is a Republicant party publication, masquerading as news.
Last Sunday, an editorial front page story in favor charter schools and on the back page of the same section , a guest article about whether it is okay for a parent who rapes a child to be required to be asked about having it aborted. Lots of fancy words but it was just the anti-abortion position of the same paper hidden as news. We don't have a neutral "news" paper in this state since the Gazaette lost in the newspaper wars.
BurnNotice - Why do you believe it's okay for Tim Griffin to orchestrate a campaign of lies to get Bud Cummins fired in order to get the job for himself?
I can't figure out why Joyce Elliott isn't making this a campaign issue. Sad to say, maybe Robbie Wills was right. She is paving the way for Tim Griffin to be the future governor of Arkansas through her incompetence as a candidate.
The FOX-Gazette should be the local paper's new name. It fits its ideology and journalistic/editorial disabilities.
If Joyce Elliott is to win, she has to get mean with this bastard. She has to give him some of his own medicine. I am not a resident of the Second District, but I would sure hate to see this Karl Rove clone represent the state.
Timing in combat is everything. Now is the time for Elliott to begin hitting Griffin. I suspect that she knows it and expect her to do it. To have done it sooner might have lessened the effectiveness. However, she shouldn't wait any longer.
I hope we get to hear Griffin talk about focusing on the future a lot in the coming weeks as Elliott hammers his corrupt past. The more he says it while Elliott details his character flaws and lack of integrity, the more people will sense that he's running away from his record because he can't run on it.
I hope Ms. Elliott takes plainjim's advice. looks like that fool Griffin has given her plenty to work with now.
Is it appropriate for paid political operatives to use words like "jizz" in public forums? Given his comments here over the past few months, I'm thinking that Burn is either a Griffin staffer, a Griffin stalker, or Griffin himself. His anger tonight is making me lean toward one of the last two options.
I've been cogitating over the question of why Timmyboy turns my stomach so much more than the other candidates on his slate (and they do turn it, too). He is a loathsome cockroach of a human being, but I'm sure his momma loves him, and he probably thinks he's doing a good thing. Then I saw his picture above, and it hit me. Anybody else see "Hitler youth" written all over it? No, I'm not accusing him of being a Nazi, or anything like that--there's been way too much of that thrown around. But he strikes me as the kind that would've joined proudly and marched that goose-step down the street, and would've helped Herr Karl find ingenious new methods of cowing the populace and finding the undesirables. That's why he's so nauseating to me! He is someone that is willing to do evil, in his case, vote caging (and who knows what else), to keep the blacks and poor disenfranchised in order to win at any cost, because that's what the higher-ups tell him is the right thing to do. Later, at the trial, it's all "I was just following orders".
He's Rolf, from "The Sound of Music"! "You are sixteen, going on seventeen..."
I've never understood why Cummins didn't speak out during the primary. Letting Timmy win the primary was tantamount to electing him. Character does matter, but I think very few of us will vote against our positions to send Joyce to Congress and have her vote against us for two years. I really think I might, but I don't know if I could live with myself if she cost us a majority and Pelosi was Speaker for two more years...
I don't know why Bud didn't speak out, but I wonder this:
Is there anyone who *cares* (or would care) about the lies and trickery used to clear the way for Tim Griffin who doesn't already *know* about the dirty tricks employed against a faithful GOP soldier.
Bud seems to be saying that the record speaks for itself, and any steps he took now -- after his name has already been cleared -- would appear to be closer to revenge than "defense."
Theodosius, while we seem to be miles apart politically, we agree that character matters. I believe Timmy is evil. You do not agree with Elliott's ideas. Give me possible ignorance over proven evil any day of the week.
plainjim - Trying to associate Tim Griffin with Karl Rove only helps Griffin. Actually, I kind of like Karl Rove. He's good at what he does and I respect that. I could name a dozen or so other political consultants I like as well or better than Rove, but he's okay.
I'm looking at a listing of campaign contributions from Karl Rove. I see where he contributed $2,400 to Gilbert Baker, but don't see any contributions to Tim Griffin. I haven't heard where Rove has expressed any support for Griffin's campaign. My guess is that Rove was embarrassed by Griffin, and wants nothing to do with him ever again.
"Character does matter, but I think very few of us will vote against our positions to send Joyce to Congress and have her vote against us for two years.'' By Theo
Theo,
I don't think you're a bad guy. You remind me of RC and Steven at times...folks I like and respect. I sense the inherent good in both of those men.
But, Theo, what are your "positions'' that you seem to cleave to so strongly? Are they fiscally conservative positions? You and I both know Republicans aren't fiscal conservatives based on the Bush years, nor are they now.
Are they socially conservative positions? If so, the GOP mantra is four-fold. 1) Hate gays, 2) Hate Latinos, 3) Hate Muslims, and 4) Hate women (as in, don't let them have control over their bodies).
Theo, I don't think you're a teabagger type. In fact, I'd bet you stray from the fold at family get-togethers and are ostracized if you take a moderate position.
What caught my eye is when you wrote "our positions.'' Is it a socially conservative thing? It can't be anything else because taxes went down last year.
I can take it because I'm wearing my big-girl pants...you hate "fags,'' "wetbacks,'' "mooslums'' and "bitches''??? Right?
The last question they took from the audience was something to the effect of, "How do each of you feel about the person who replaced you as U.S. Attorney?" Cummins looked like he wanted to pull a lever to a trap door that would make him disappear. He visibly sunk in his chair. I half expected him to cover his face with his forearm. When Paul Charlton fielded the question it was almost as if he (PC) was saying, "don't worry, Bud...I got this."
Leopold...I believe BN is paid by the party, not necessarily Griffin. My guess is they changed the payment structure from word count to either "by the comment" or maybe just a flat rate for the campaign season.
Sister, save your pixels on that one...I think you'd be spinning your wheels.
I've read your comments and agree completely about the scandal that Tim G. helped mightily to bring about. He doesn't deserve anyone's vote. Now, I'd like to put a plug in for each person reading this to give Joyce what you can - time, money, your influence to get her elected. She is a good, honest person and candidate. Do all you can.
The photo of ol' Tim posted with this piece looks like he's a muppet... like he is literally made of fleece like Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.
Yeah, except without the warminess and fuzziness of a muppet. He's downright creepy.
Maybe we'll live long enough to find out why Bud Cummins continues to take it up the rear like a cheap Bangkok prostitute. Do they have naked pictures of Cummins with a boy? Did they catch him with his hand in the cash register? Does he wear lady's panties under his suit? I don't think Jesus was ever as nice to his detractors as Bud Cummins is to Herr Rove and SS Officer Griffin. There must be a real good reason. ears to the ground, ears to the ground boys!
There's far too many Fox-fed BurnNotices in America today. I understand multi-millionaires wanting to elect Republicans in hopes of someday never paying taxes. I understand why the Koch brothers are willing to spend millions to protect their billions. But all these underling Republicans....what explains them?
Do they believe they'll be rich someday too? Do they get erections simply by being in close proximity to the rich. Or is it just sports mentality. They pick a team and stand behind them no matter how horrible their team turns out to be? Even if their team beheads people and porks the babies.....Go Team Go!
I just don't get it. I don't expect a free ride or a truck load of presents if the Democrats sweep this November. It's just at the moment it looks to me that Democrats (with the exception of those from Arkansas) are less corrupt than the Foxpublicans right now.
If Obama triumphs over all, we'll need to be watching for crooked Democrats springing up in the near future....it's the way politics works. Though I've never lived at a time when the Republicans were so crazy and off the mark. We must unplug Fox News....it's our only hope. And Griffin to prison is the best news we can hear.
I wish someone had asked Mr. Cummings, at the seminar, what his on-going silence about his firing (excuse me, "forced removal") in favorite of a temporary appointment of Mr Griffin says about the ethics and integrity of his party and its leaders.
"Is your continued silence on this issue from fear for your future with the Republican Party, a sincere desire not to be a stool pigeon, or a firm belief that Tim Griffin is such a important Republican candidate for representative that none of the distasteful and potential illegal activities surrounding your removal deserve discussion? Arkansans await your comments with great anticipation>"
dott,
Cummins made it clear that he wasn't going to comment on any aspects of the particular congressional race at hand, which I assume carries over into any political territory outside the specifics of yesterday's discussion. His dodging and weaving would have made O.J. Simpson proud (referring to the running back, of course--not the murder defendant).
"It's all in the record, and I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said. Blah-blah-blah."
His remark about the record is important. The inspector general's report\ detailed in the Dumas column shows that Griffin and Griffin alone was the suspect for slanders on Cummins' record designed to justify giving the job to Griffin. And he was in thick with the political operators trying to subvert the Justice Department for political ends. When Cummins says, "look at the record," it's quite a record.
That photo creeped me out too. Looks like something from the "Blair Witch Project" or some exorcism movie.
The photo creeped me out too. Looked like something from the "Blair Witch Project" or some exorcism movie.
I have known Bud Cummins distantly for a very long time--Long before he went into public service. While his political philosophy differs from mine, our limited dealings, both personal and professional, have left me with the impression that he is simply a decent guy with a lot of perspective on life and politics. Damn fine qualities for a US Attorney.
He has demonstrated this time and again since the canard perpetrated by Tim Griffin.
I sure wish the Karma stuff came back quickly.
I've known Bud Cummins distantly for a long time--since long before he ran for Congress. Our limited dealings on both personal and professional matters have left me with the impression that he is a decent guy with a lot of perspective on life and politics.
While my politics differ greatly from his, I think those qualities are damn fine ones for a US Attorney, who wields the massive power of the federal criminal justice system. His measured and accurate responses to the canard and scheme perpetrated by Griffin have multiplied my respect for him.
Too bad karma ain't always instant.
While I still have some degree of respect for Bud Cummins, I would have a whole lot more if he would just tell it like it is and say that Tim Griffin is a back stabbing, lying, lower than pond scum SOB! All you voters in the 2nd Congressional District had better wake up and smell the rat before you give him full and complete access to the cheese.
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