Joe says it ain’t so

OPINION:

In your Wednesday editorial “Lieberman overlooks Walpingate,” you plead, “Say it ain’t so, Joe,” and, in fact, Joe says it ain’t so. Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent, issued a statement on June 18 and - along with Sens. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, and Claire McCaskill, Missouri Democrat - sent President Obama a letter Friday stating that the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is reviewing the termination of Gerald Walpin as inspector general of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Committee staff have held meetings with the White House and are planning interviews with corporation board members and other officials, including Mr. Walpin.

The law gives the president wide latitude to terminate an inspector general at will, as long as Congress is given 30 days notice. Mr. Lieberman and Mrs. Collins - leaders of the committee with oversight responsibilities for inspectors general - have no authority to block a firing. Contrary to the impression your editorial gives, Mr. Lieberman and his colleagues on the committee are committed to conducting an independent review to make sure that Mr. Walpin’s termination was not arbitrary, capricious, punitive or political. And that is what they are doing.

LESLIE PHILLIPS

Communications director

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Washington