White House: Matheson Quid Pro Quo Charge "Very Silly"

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: In The News

(minesafetycommission.utah.gov)

When President Obama named law professor Scott Matheson, Jr., pictured at left, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Wednesday, the White House highlighted in a press release his impressive credentials, including years of public service and a top-notch education.

Conservatives, however, are highlighting another fact: Matheson's brother, Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah, is one of the Democrats President Obama is trying to persuade to support his health care proposal.

"Scott Matheson appears to have the credentials to be a judge, but was his nomination used to buy off his brother's vote?" John McCormack of the Weekly Standard asked. He points out Mr. Obama met with Jim Matheson yesterday, just after announcing his brother's nomination. Matheson voted against the health care bill in the House back in November.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said at his daily press briefing today that the allegation was "very silly."

Jim Matheson's office called the charge "patently ridiculous," and Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah called Scott Matheson "a bright attorney whose experience has prepared him for judicial service," Politico reports. Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah said he was "very pleased" with Matheson's nomination.

Nevertheless, the storyline prompted Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) last night to call for an independent investigation into the matter.

Meredith Jessup of TownHall.com suggests that when Gibbs said the president would do "whatever it takes" to pass health care reform, he meant setting up a quid pro quo. Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin called the nomination either "incorrigibly corrupt or incorrigibly stupid."

Left-leaning blogs have taken to defending the administration and mocking conservative writers.

"Sure, he's a Stanford alum, Rhodes scholar, Yale Law School graduate, Harvard profesor, U.S. Attorney, and law school dean," Jonathan Chait of the New Republic writes. "Maybe that makes him 'qualified' by the rock-bottom standards of this administration, even if he's no Harriet Miers."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by cbs1961dch March 6, 2010 1:29 AM EST: Won't it prove that Jim Matheson's vote was NOT bought by this appointment when Matheson votes AGAINST the Senate Health Care bill? And if he changes his previous vote to vote FOR the bill, isn't that a good indication that his vote WAS bought?

Be a man, Jim. Vote NO.; Reply to this comment


by macgerson March 4, 2010 11:50 PM EST: velma179
Forgive all of us for not recognizing that Obama is pure of heart.
OC if he did this right now he is colossally dumb.
Take your pick; Reply to this comment


by jgg000101 March 4, 2010 9:44 PM EST: and in unrelated news, Jason Altmire's sister was seen driving a new ferarri.; Reply to this comment


by jxknowles March 4, 2010 8:52 PM EST: Michele Bachmann, Meredith Jessup and Michelle Malkin (The Three Stooginas of political commentary), all in the same article. Thank you CBS. I needed a good laugh.; Reply to this comment

by krishintz March 4, 2010 6:41 PM EST

No question, Scott Matheson Jr has excellent qualifications.

But if President Obama was so above Chicago politics' "Quid Pro Quos", why would he choose this ironic timing to appoint him? Polls show the American people don't believe much of what comes out of his mouth. If he was doing this out of pure motive, why wouldn't he distance his timing so as to not even give the appearance of corruption?

When a government figure---of any political stripe---vehemently denies a charge, I always presume that accusations have hit too painfully close to the mark. Remember "Milady protesteth too much?" Shakespeare was always right about human nature. So if it LOOKS like Quid Pro Quo, that's exactly what it is.

Reply to this comment


by velma179 March 4, 2010 7:27 PM EST: by krishintz March 4, 2010 6:41 PM EST
_________________________

Obviously you are not aware of how our country's government works. But you sure do like to quote some unsubstantiated data from unnamed "polls"! Sheesh.

The work that led to this decision wasn't accomplished in the last few days. When the decision is made, the appointment is made -- these seats need to be filled. Just doing the business of America.

And besides, it is you that protests too much. I think Gibbs saying "silly" and Rep Matheson saying "patently ridiculous" plus the comments the Republicans (Hatch and Chaffetz) made sure as heck don't add up to "vehemently denying a charge".

Nah, this is a non-starter -- but as anything else this president does, some of you will assign him the worst of motives. That shows more about you... than it does about him. Period.


by rexrox2 March 4, 2010 5:23 PM EST: IF IT SMELLS LIKE A FISH, IT'S PROBABLY A FISH. The timing, nominating him now is early for the judge positions, but if the voting starts ASAP, the congressman can see that this president means business. The media is pathetic.......what will it take. I guess when no one is left reading your drivel, that'll be your sign that the people are done with this mess. Thousands upon thousands of Yale Law Grads, and Harvard Grads. The congress, senate and courts are replete with these folks and our government has never been held in such low opinion, EVER.; Reply to this comment


by votedforobama March 4, 2010 5:19 PM EST: Maybe he is qualified but it sure couldn't hurt to make the nomination just before the next health care vote ... or maybe the timing was just coincidental. (The Kool Aid is delicious by the way. Care for another cup?); Reply to this comment