Michele Bachmann: "Corruption" at the White House needs an independent investigation

by Karl Bremer 3/3/2010

Michele Bachmann tonight on CNN’s Larry King Live accused President Obama of trading judgeships for health-care votes and called for an “independent investigation” into what she termed “corruption” at the White House.

Obama today nominated Scott Matheson, brother of Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT), to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Also today, Obama included Congressman Matheson, who has voted against the health-care reform bill, among a group of 10 like-minded Democrats to a meeting at the White House in the hopes of changing their minds—and their votes.

That led Bachmann to charge Obama with selling judgeships for votes—“Corruption,” she cried repeatedly on the Larry King Show, as Florida Congressman Alan Grayson tried unsuccessfully to maintain a rational discussion with her on health care instead.

Rep. Matheson’s spokesperson called the charge “patently ridiculous.” The White House called it “absurd.”

Bachmann was clearly taking her talking points from this Weekly Standard piece. But Rep. Matheson and the White House were having none of it in their response to Politico (http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/Matheson_knocks_down_vote_trading_questions.html).

Strangely enough, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, a member of the Judiciary Committee, didn’t seem to get the same memo Bachmann received about the White House corruption afoot with Matheson’s appointment. In a statement, Hatch said: “I’m pleased President Obama has nominated Scott Matheson to fill the vacancy on the Tenth Circuit. I’ve known Scott a long time and he is a capable, bright attorney whose experience has prepared him for judicial service. The Matheson family has had a significant impact on Utah and can rightly be proud of Scott’s nomination.”