Baucus nominated girlfriend for U.S. Attorney job

[cali]

Max Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, recommended that the White House nominate his girlfriend as a U.S. attorney in Montana, his office announced late Friday night.

Earlier this year, Baucus recommended that the White House consider Melodee Hanes and two other names for the U.S. attorney post – at the same time that the senator was carrying on a romantic relationship with Hanes, who had been his state director. Baucus was separated with his wife at the time when the two began their involvement, according to a source familiar with the situation, and now the two are divorced from their spouses and live together on Capitol Hill.

Baucus’ office contends that Hanes was recommended because of her qualifications – and that the relationship had nothing to do with her nomination to the position or their respective divorces from their spouses.

“While her personal relationship with Senator Baucus should in no way be either a qualifier or a disqualifier for the position, during the nomination process and after much reflection, both Senator Baucus and Ms. Hanes agreed that she should withdraw her name from consideration because they wanted to live together in Washington, DC,” Ty Matsdorf, Baucus’ spokesman, said in a statement.

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30228.html

[zazen]

1. what if she really was the most qualified person?

I get that people need to avoid appearances of conflict of interest, even if conflict of interest can in reality be avoided. But as women are in positions of influence and leadership in increasing numbers, it's inevitable that relationships are going to spring up between people whose career interests intersect. There are many Members who are married to lobbyists.

I think the Goldman Sachs insider appointments are more offensive than this, with people profiting in the millions, but we won't see the mainstream media all over it, of course. I'm not a big fan of DLC Baucus, but I think the implication of this article isn't substantiated.

She's had to pay a high price for her relationship with him. Oh well.

[ThomWV]

2. Then he should quit fucking her at least until after her confirmation hearing

[Enthusiast]

3. Neither action should be

tolerated. Why should U.S. citizens routinely allow such conflicts of interest? Fuck Baucus! And I mean fuck Baucus!

[AllentownJake]

5. :facepalm:

I doubt that seeing she lacked the judgement to see that fucking a married United States Senator who nominated her might cause people to question her qualifications.

[zazen]

6. since when is dating while separated the same as cheating?

Or am I misreading the article. It says

"Baucus was separated with his wife at the time when the two began their involvement, according to a source familiar with the situation, and now the two are divorced from their spouses and live together on Capitol Hill."

Some people are separated for a long time before they start dating. Are they all cheating?

The bottom line I guess is she had to choose between him and her career. He, however, doesn't have to make that choice. Doesn't seem fair somehow.

[AllentownJake]

7. I highly doubt

That Max fist started seeing her when he was separated. Media investigation will prove that.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. So much for the sanctity of marraige