We're Just Haggling Over Price.

by: huntsu

Tue Feb 19, 2008 at 09:28:58 PM EST

But not everyone is the editor of a major New Jersey Newspaper.

And not everyone has the ability to spin, spin, spin to help a US Attorney obscure the true issues.

Take this take from Snowflack on Chris Christie being called to DC to testify to Congress on his use of deferred prosecution agreements to give friends and colleagues big contracts:

It should be an interesting scene in Washington next week if U.S. Attorney Chris Christie testifies before a Congressional committee about his retaining of former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to monitor a settlement agreement with makers of hip and knee replacements.

The real issue is not so much the hiring of Ashcroft, but what his firm could make: anywhere from $27 million to $52 million over 18 months.

Ashcroft, of course, is Christie's former boss.

Wait, the issue is "not so much the hiring of Ashcroft," even though Ashcroft is Christie's former boss, a friend of Christie's and a potential future donor to his political campaigns. Using your office to force lawbreaking companies to give your friends contracts is not so much the issue.

The issue is not the forcing of the contract onto a company you have over the barrel, it's how much you make them pay?

No, Fred.  The price of the corruption is not the issue.  It's the corruption that's the problem.

I'm reminded of an old story, this time told by Groucho Marx.

Groucho (to pretty lady at dinner): Would you sleep with me for $52 million?

Pretty lady (laughing): Of course!

Groucho (leering wildly): How about for $10?

Pretty lady: Mr. Marx, what do you take me for?

Groucho: We've already established what you are.  Now we're just haggling over price.