Claude Allen resigns
Esther Kaplan printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Thu Feb 09, 2006 at 08:17:29 PM EST
Claude Allen, President Bush's top domestic policy advisor has resigned. The former Jesse Helms staffer famous for slamming one of his boss's political opponents for his ties with "queers," served throughout Bush's first term as the No. 2 guy in the Department of Health and Human Services, where he served, according to one beltway AIDS advocate, as "the eyes and ears of the conservative shadow government at HHS". He became a favorite in the Bush White House as the African American face of the adminstration's abstinence-only agenda. Bush first tried to give him a spot on the federal bench, but when Allen faced too much opposition, the president instead picked him for the plumb spot in the White House.
Allen is a true Christian right foot soldier. He's on the board of an organization called Peacemaker Ministries, which takes a hardline position against litigation, favoring "biblically-based mediation" instead. He and his wife are Christian home schoolers of their own kids. Allen has referred to abortion as "genocide," and, in an earlier stint in the Virginia attorney general's office, Allen worked closely with such conservative religious lobby groups as the Family Foundation and the Virginia Society for Human Life in promoting restrictive abortion laws there, such as mandatory wait periods and restrictions on minors' access.

Allen claims he's resigning to spend more time with his family. He strikes me as a wee bit too ambitious for that to be the whole story. For now, his departure from Washington seems to be good news--all depending on who Bush tags to replace him.



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Claude Allen resigns | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)
This looks like it has James Baker's fingerprints (none / 0)
on it. It's been pretty clear of late that Baker finally has some traction in this administration. Baker may not be my favorite person but he's rational and thoughtful. I just wonder where he stands on the Alito nomination and confirmation. Dealing with a Baker influenced administration is going to be very different than dealing with a Cheney influenced administration.

by tikkun on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 11:40:38 AM EST

Wonkette and Washington Times weigh in (none / 0)
See Wonkette and the Washington Times (requires registration) for some speculation on why Claude Allen left so abruptly. According to the latter:
In a Jan. 22 conversation with Rep. Walter B. Jones reported in The Washington Times, Mr. Allen promised the North Carolina Republican that President Bush would pressure Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld into allowing military chaplains to be more explicit about their faith.
    According to a military source, Mr. Allen resigned to protest the White House's refusal to lean on the Pentagon about the issue.


by Esther Kaplan on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 05:59:37 PM EST
Still Sounds Like Bakers Work Behind the Scenes (none / 0)
In the first administration, Bush would likely have given the Fundamentalists what they wanted.

By the way, this is coming up and there really isn't any place else to put it.  For those interested in the attack on the the mainline denominations, unless a quiet deal is cut, there will be significant breaking news next week of improper use of Diocesan endowment funds in the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Albany.  I can't say much more than that right now.  Just keep eyes peeled for breaking information.  

by tikkun on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 11:32:26 PM EST
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Claude Allen resigns | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)

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