Darrell Issa Defends Calling Obama Administration 'Corrupt'

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), incoming chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, attempted to provide cover Wednesday for his recent claim that the Obama administration was "corrupt." According to Issa, people are simply misinterpreting his use of the word.

CNN reports:

"I think people misunderstand the meaning of the word corrupt, and obviously, CNN does. 'Corrupt', or 'corrupted' or 'failure', it's no different than a disc drive that's given you some bits that are wrong," Issa said on CNN.

Issa continued, "I have never said it's illegal. I've never made any of the statements that are often said on CNN that implied wrong-doing of the president at a criminal level, but I do believe that the American people have changed the control of the House in no small part because they saw more regulation, more misspending than they ever dreamed possible and they need Republicans to be part of the balance to bring that back under control."

Issa has been mounting a vocal offensive on the Obama administration as of late. Over the weekend, the California Republican continued talking up his plans for a series of investigations into the administration's actions, calling it "one of the most corrupt."

Last year, Issa referred to Obama as "one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times," an attack that he later walked back.

On Tuesday, Politico reported that Issa was seeking advice from major business interests as to which regulations he should put in the crosshairs going forward.

From their piece:

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wants the oil industry, drug manufacturers and other trade groups and companies to tell him which Obama administration regulations to target this year.

The incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - in letters sent to more than 150 trade associations, companies and think tanks last month - requested a list of existing and proposed regulations that would harm job growth.

Comments

[GirlFriday123]

09:23 AM on 01/17/2011

Shouldn't the chair of a committee on oversight and reform be above reproach? Issa is so tarnished by scandal and corruption (ethical not functional) that his assumption of the role of Guardian of Government Ethics is beyond absurd. The inmates have taken over the asylum.

[myrtle1909]

09:57 AM on 01/07/2011

What part of the word Corrup don't you understand Mr. Issa? Do you have the evidence to back you up. I have always been told that a person should clean up around their own door before they started trying to clean around someone else's door. Or maybe that proverb does not apply to you.

[GunnyJ]

09:39 AM on 01/07/2011

This guy, who according to some is an aronist and a car thief might need to be careful throwing those stones around....

[10LittleIndians]

06:58 AM on 01/07/2011

Wow, republican phony. Call the Obama administration corrupt in public then change the definition of corrupt when questioned in private..

[americasleeps]

06:17 AM on 01/07/2011

For a group of people who blew into town on the promise of "changing the world" and "righting wrongs", this administration has embraced business-as-usual with such gusto, it's breathtaking. From knee-capping cronies from Chicago, to back room quid pro quo, you name it, they've done it. Heck, Obama himself engineered the largest arms deal in the history of the United States, personally....selling tens of billions of the most lethal weapons America has to Saudi. Where's that story? These hero's of the people say that $175,000 a year is "a modest salary". I'd kill for that kind of money. Wouldn't you? Come on!! Elitists like I've never seen.

[dragonmaster]

06:17 AM on 01/07/2011

This is like the pot calling the kettle black. Issa is a millionaire corporatist- who cares nothing for the underclass serfs in this country- who have been put in their sorry state by the corrupt policies he in fact advocates.

[scottymac11]

03:11 AM on 01/07/2011

Self absorbed,pompous,unethical,yes. But I never thought of Issa as inarticulate till now. He doesn't know the meaning of corrupt. He can't define it with respect to this administration even after he accuses it of being corrupt...... He indictes that large amounts of money must corrupt. Well isn't he worth 300 million corrupting dollars ?

[ShinjiIkari]

02:49 AM on 01/07/2011

""I think people misunderstand the meaning of the word corrupt, and obviously, CNN does. 'Corrupt', or 'corrupted' or 'failure', it's no different than a disc drive that's given you some bits that are wrong," Issa said on CNN."

In other words, no thought was involved in his description of first POTUS Obama, then his administration, as "corrupt." Typical GOP misfeasance. I think most Republicans could misunderstand the meaning of the word misfeasance, though.

[porthaul]

01:43 AM on 01/07/2011

Darrell, regarding YOUR corrupt dealings, the American people should demand an investigation of such.

[Dem4us]

01:07 AM on 01/07/2011

and people still listen to this master of GTA!!!!!!! (grand theft auto) if you didn't know!!!!

[SolarArray]

01:07 AM on 01/07/2011

Joe Issa, Darryl McCarthy.... same thing. Can't wait for the blacklists.

[Eddy333]

12:54 AM on 01/07/2011

People said the same thing when I pointed out that Issa was gay. They jumped all over me. They misunderstood the meaning of gay. Do you realize how happy Rep. Issa is? I mean, he's a really happy, happy guy. That's all I'm saying.

[whatchamean]

12:09 AM on 01/07/2011

They can't help themselves. They will overreach as they always do. Because they operate in an echo chamber they tend to think that everyone has their pov. All politicians suffer from Acquired narcissism but it is more fatal for repubs as they can't self correct.

[Twohairydogs]

11:33 PM on 01/06/2011

Words have true and precise meanings. Issa doesn't seem to get that. Perhaps his internal disc drive has been corrupted or it could be a system-wide failure.

[jussaying]

10:45 PM on 01/06/2011

I keep hearing that Issa has much in his background that would make him know corruption when he sees it. Does anyone have a good link they can post on Issa's background.

[Chudye]

11:19 PM on 01/06/2011

Wikipedia! Anyone who can take him seriously is sadly gonna be disappointed.