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| Project Gunwalker: ‘Unreachable’ Man in White House is reachable |
| 2011-10-27 |
| The Obama admin. told Rep. Darrell Issa that Kevin O’Reilly — Gunwalker’s possible connection to Obama — was “in Iraq and unavailable.” He’s there, but available. After we called him, his phone number was deactivated. The committee recently requested to speak with former White House National Security Staffer Kevin O’Reilly. According to CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson, the Obama administration answered: O’Reilly is on assignment for the State Department in Iraq and unavailable.Through a tip, PJ Media learned that Kevin O’Reilly was unexpectedly named director of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau for Iraq (INL-Iraq). Long-time INL-Iraq employee Virginia Ramadan had been expected to get the position — many were quite surprised when she did not. The previous occupants of the Director, INL-Iraq position — Joe Manso and Francisco Palmieri — were not considered “unreachable” to press or government access. On October 21, PJ Media reporter Patrick Richardson called the number for Office of the Director, INL-Iraq: 1-240-553-0581, ext. 3275 Richardson reached a voicemail message confirming that it was indeed the correct number. He left a message that was not returned. On Monday Richardson called again, and an assistant answered. Richardson asked to speak with Kevin O’Reilly, and the assistant asked who was calling. Richardson gave his name and stated he was with PJ Media. The assistant said O’Reilly was currently on a conference call, and asked if Richardson wanted to leave a message. Richardson gave his phone number. His call was not returned. This morning, Richardson called again. He received a prerecorded message saying “this number is not in service.” PJ Media is aware that the number was in service as the line to the director’s office for several years prior to Richardson’s calls. Today, PJ Media is forwarding this information over to Darrell Issa, along with some suggested questions to ask of the Obama administration: – Why were we told Kevin O’Reilly was “unavailable” if he was employed in a position that has always been open to media, and indeed was easily reached by PJ Media? Background on O'Reilly The documents show extensive communications between then-ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix office Bill Newell — who led Fast and Furious — and then-White House National Security Staffer Kevin O’Reilly. Emails indicate the two also spoke on the phone. Such detailed, direct communications between a local ATF manager in Phoenix and a White House national security staffer has raised interest among Congressional investigators looking into Fast and Furious. Newell has said he and O’Reilly are long time friends. The email exchanges span a little over a month last summer. They discuss ATF’s gun trafficking efforts along the border including the controversial Fast and Furious case, though not by name. The emails to and from O’Reilly indicate more than just a passing interest in the Phoenix office’s gun trafficking cases. They do not mention specific tactics such as “letting guns walk. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #2 Stonewalling by the most transparent administration in the history of the U.S. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2011-10-27 17:44 |
| #1 *shrug*. Send the House Sergeant At Arms with a couple of whatever his aides are called -- in full uniform and with a full video conferencing crew (perhaps C-Span can help with that) -- to assist the gentleman in fulfilling his duty. Broadcasting the arrival and seeking out of the gentleman live could prove amusing, as would sending the bill for extraordinary expenses to the office of the Secretary of State, since it was her people who chose to not make the gentleman available once he came under their purview. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2011-10-27 16:01 |