Thread: Conyers abandons plan to probe ACORN

Conyers abandons plan to probe ACORN

'Powers that be decided against it,' he says

By S.A. Miller (Contact) | Originally published 03:04 p.m., June 25, 2009, updated 03:26 p.m., June 25, 2009

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. has backed off his plan to investigate wrongdoing by the liberal activist group ACORN, saying "powers that be" put the kibosh on the idea.

Mr. Conyers, Michigan Democrat, earlier bucked his party leaders by calling for hearings on accusations the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) has committed crimes ranging from voter fraud to a mob-style "protection" racket.

"The powers that be decided against it," Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.

The chairman declined to elaborate, shrugging off questions about who told him how to run his committee and give the Democrat-allied group a pass.

Pittsburgh lawyer Heather Heidelbaugh, whose testimony about ACORN at a March 19 hearing on voting issues prompted Mr. Conyers to call for a probe, said she was perplexed by Mr. Conyers' explanation for his change of heart.

"If the chair of the Judiciary Committee cannot hold a hearing if he want to [then] who are the powers that he is beholden to?" she said. "Is it the leadership, is it the White House, is it contributors? Who is 'the power?'"

Capitol Hill Democrats had bristled at proposed hearings because it threatened to rekindle criticism of the financial ties and close cooperation between President Obama's campaign and ACORN and its sister organizations Citizens Services Inc. and Project Vote.

The groups came under fire during the campaign after probes into possible voter fraud in a series of presidential battleground states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico and Nevada.

ACORN and its affiliates are currently the target of at least 14 lawsuits related to voter fraud in the 2008 election and a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act complaint filed by former ACORN members.

The group's leaders have consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously said they welcomed a congressional probe. The group did not immediately respond Thursday to questions about Mr. Conyers being convinced to drop those plans.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/ju ... _headlines

The powers that be decided against it," Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.



The Great O has spoken......again.

Wonder what he threatened Conyers with?

What a wuss! What, is he worried that he won't be re-elected without ACORN's help? Is ACORN a part of the powers that be?
How absolutely shallow an explanation and condescending to the American voters. This guy should apologize.

Originally Posted by vortex

What a wuss! What, is he worried that he won't be re-elected without ACORN's help? Is ACORN a part of the powers that be?
How absolutely shallow an explanation and condescending to the American voters. This guy should apologize.

He should be voted out, right along with the rest of the ring kissers and boot lickers.

"The powers that be decided against it," Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.

I smell the stink of a Pelosi and Hoyer.

Originally Posted by MW

"The powers that be decided against it," Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.

I smell the stink of a Pelosi and Hoyer.

Can I get you a noseplug and a case of Febreeze, MW? You're looking a little woozy.

CONYERS = COWARD = RACIST