Romney pins GSA scandal on Obama, but gives him a pass on Secret Service

Getty Images/Scott Olson

Mitt Romney tried Wednesday to pin a federal agency's Las Vegas spending spree on the Obama administration but gave him a pass on the widening scandal involving members of the Secret Service and military who allegedly hired prostitutes while on assignment in Colombia.

"The president has confidence in the head of the Secret Service as do I, and I believe the right corrective action will be taken there," Romney said on WTVN in Columbus, Ohio. "Obviously everyone is very, very disappointed in these stories, very uncharacteristic of the service, and I think it will be dealt with in as aggressive a way as is possible given the requirements of law."

The marks were a contrast to Romney's assertion that the administration "obviously is embarrassed" by the revelation that the General Services hosted an $823,000 conference near Las Vegas in 2010. He said top GSA official Jeff Neely was pleading his 5th Amendment rights as an "excuse" to not have to testify in the case.

Speaking more generally about government corruption including the GSA scandal, the Secret Service scandal and the Justice Department's botched "Fast and Furious" gun-tracking operation, Romney said he would "clean house" if he were president.

"The right thing to do is to remove people who have violated the public trust and have put their playtime and their personally interest ahead of the nation," Romney said in an interview with conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. "You've got to make an assessment of those individuals and where people have failed and where you think they have not got the level of care and caution that is necessary you replace them."

On WTVN, Romney also fielded questions about his vice presidential pick. He declined to provide a short list, but did talk about a "debt of gratitude" for help he had received in the Ohio primary from Sen. Rob Portman, who is widely perceived as a top possibility.

"I think his strength and his endorsement and his campaigning with me across the state really made a difference. That kind of a victory in Ohio was one of the things that propelled me to become the presumptive nominee. So I'm in a great debate of gratitude to Rob Portman and recognize that yeah, he makes a difference in Ohio but he would make a difference on a national ticket as well. He's a great guy and a very capable person," Romney said.

Matthew Shelley contributed to this report.

[Ricohenry7]

Louis Graziano EEOC Trial attorney took a bribe from Allan Koral Esq.

This information is more powerful than "Watergate of the 1970's". Thats why many are trying to make this about Ricardo Jones. The public has been lied to by obama and his handlers. The right to work in a hostile free work environment is a fundamental right and the bedrock of this country. Once the president engages in this corruption and fraud against the public this raises to level of high crimes and misdemeanors? Which means what? The president did appoint his wife's friend (Ms. Berrien) from Harvard law school to head the corrupt and/or rogue EEOC correct? The president when he was the only Black/White looking senator was on the Subcommittee on Employment an Workplace Safety correct? The president is a Harvard Law Professor correct? The EEOC is a Rogues agency correct? Whom benefits from this corruption? Attorneys and Bad employers correct?
How many executives orders have the president signed reference to the Rogue EEOC. The key to EPA is the hiden salaries which the government has Federal and/or State taxes and (W-2 forms) correct? Did the president's executive order for Ms. ledetter state the aforementioned NO!
Has Tavis Smiley or Ph'd (Dr) Cornel West ever pointed out the above? NO. This is too important to all Americans to make fun of it correct?
REFORM CIVIL RIGHTS NOW AND FIRE JACQUELINE BERRIEN TODAY IF WE LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY OR IS THIS A DICTATORSHIP???

Ricardo E. Jones Sr.
Former Senior Federal Investigator EEOC-NYDO
US Army Retired, MSG/RA Bronze Star Medal
POWER OF THE PEOPLE

[nygiants1]

New photos uncovered of GSA's Jeff Neely in Vegas. The man knows how to party on our dime!

http://cubetitans.com/new-photos-released-of-gsas-jeff-neely-in-vegas/?slide=1

[calif7]

Why is this Obama's issue? When Cheney's Secret Service detail got into a barroom brawl in an Encinitas, California in 2002, did the press question whether that was Bush's issue? No.

[Jame-_V]

Yes because everyone is so shocked at men being men. who cares why is this news.

[rexreddy]

Romney will likely disband the GSA if it still exists in January.

But it is the Secret Service who he will have to count on every day to keep him and his family alive.
So he is thinking.

[DebbieCorona]

If Romney is silly and two faced. If he were President he hardly would be advised daily on the GSA. And if his issue is: "The right thing to do is to remove people who have violated the public trust and have put their playtime and their personally interest ahead of the nation" Then he believes GWBush, Cheney and Rove should have been removed as they violated public trust on the Iraq War, with wild spending on that war that had unjustified costs. But Romney is touting GWBush policies so he is saying one thing and touting another. Two-faced, flip flops, and Etch a Sketch all rolled into one.

[andrewjsacks]

Right. OBAMA 2012!

[erasmus111]

"...but gave him a pass on the widening scandal involving members of the Secret Service and military..."


Oh my, wasn't that soooooo nice of him! Idiot.