UPDATE: Please recThanks for rec'ing this -- I think we've just been given a golden political opportunity to change the debate back onto the corruption of Bush politics, of which John McCain is a natural extension. Also, we'll be doing follow-up coverage at Facing South, where we've been tracking Jackson for his role in derailing post-Katrina plans for affordable housing.MORE UPDATE: Other outlets are confirming the news.
This is huge news. Aside from bad ideology and policy, sheer corruption has undermined the ability of this administration to address the issues facing this country, in this case the housing crisis.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson is expected to announce his resignation Monday, according to people familiar with the matter, a decision that will deal a blow to the Bush administration's efforts to tackle the housing and mortgage mess.
The exact reasons for Mr. Jackson's decision couldn't be learned. The secretary has been beset recently by allegations of cronyism and favoritism. Earlier this month, two Democratic senators, Patty Murray of Washington state and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, sent a letter to President Bush urging him to request Mr. Jackson's resignation, arguing that the distraction has made him ineffective.
Jackson has been battling various corruption charges for months. He also was the mastermind behind the plan to demolish 5,000 units of public housing in New Orleans that were barely affected by the storms -- while the city was in the midst of a severe housing shortage -- to make way for wealthier developments.
UPDATES: Here are more links on Jackson's sordid past:
Questionable Katrina Contracts (National Journal)
Philadelphia Retaliation (Washington Post)
Cronyism and Favoritism (Dallas Morning News)
His duplicitous actions on New Orleans public housing is its own blog post. Here are two pieces to get you started by legendary NOLA civil rights lawyer and fighter for affordable housing, Bill Quigley.
Remember, Jackson was the guy who approvingly noted that New Orleans was "not going to be as black as it was for a long time, if ever again."