Lawmaker calls on Jeb Bush to explain role

Jason · March 1, 2006

Lawmaker calls on Jeb Bush to explain role behind Carnival deal

WASHINGTON (AP)-- In Washington today, a top House Democrat released e-mails detailing Florida Governor Jeb Bush's role in pushing a $236-million federal contract for Carnival Cruise Lines to house Hurricane Katrina victims.

Miami-based Carnival is the world's largest cruise line.

Congressman Henry Waxman of California said in a letter that he called on Bush to explain his role in the award of what Waxman termed the "lucrative contract."

The contract was given to Carnival without a full competitive bid process. The e-mails Waxman released were provided to Congress by Michael Brown, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A spokesman for the governor's office called any charges of impropriety baseless.

The contract involved three full-service cruise ships. They sat half-empty for weeks in the Gulf Coast. The six-month contract expires this week.

A Carnival official has been a major political donor to the Florida and national Republican parties.

JoeyandDavid · March 1, 2006

is this another example of trickle up debris?

Joanandjoe · March 2, 2006

There is problably no state politician about whom we are more skeptical than Jeb Bush. Nonetheless, I'd be surprised if he has done anything wrong, under current ethical standards. ALL politicians push projects that are most favorable to their state and their donors, with especialy big pushes for business that are in state and donors.

Should this be OK? Probably not; but if big donors didn't get some favors, why would they donate? There obviously is a thin line between proper politics and bribery.

jbond · March 2, 2006

How sceptical. Surely these big donors donate their money to the person that they consider best suited for the job. Do you really believe they do it for future business favours? :shocked:

DaCruzNut · March 2, 2006

Politically, it may be "business as usual..." But, the Bush family has taken it to new heights. Perhaps that's why W's popularity has fallen to a new low...

"WASHINGTON, Feb 28, 2006 (AFP) - More Americans disapprove of how President George W. Bush is handling his job and are pessimistic about the Iraqi situation than ever, according to a new CBS News poll.

Bush's approval rating in the survey taken Wednesday to Saturday fell to 34 percent, the lowest it has been since he took office in 2001 and six percent lower than last month, said the survey released late Monday.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents disapproved of the job Bush was doing.

Even in his war on terrorism, usually his strongest suit in opinion surveys, Bush's approval rating dropped to an all-time low of 43 percent, with 50 percent disapproving of his actions. Last month those ratings were reversed with 52 approving, and 43 percent disapproving, Bush's terrorism-fighting credentials.

Regarding the situation in Iraq, 62 percent of Americans felt things were going badly against 36 percent who said they were going well. In January, both sides were much closer, 54-45, with pessimists out front. "