J. Scott Jennings, the former deputy White House political director, briefed officials at the Peace Corps on congressional campaigns



Jennings was well regarded within the White House but came under fire for delivering private PowerPoint briefings on Republican election prospects at federal agencies where partisan activities are highly restricted. Among those Jennings briefed on congressional campaigns were diplomats and officials at the Peace Corps. The Office of Special Counsel is looking into the propriety of those briefings. The sessions were part of a broader "asset deployment" strategy devised by Rove to fully utilize the power of incumbency on behalf of the president's reelection campaign and congressional Republican allies, including meticulously planned official announcements, high-profile trips and declarations of federal grants, all coordinated with the White House political affairs office. Democratic lawmakers are investigating, but the White House defends its actions as completely legal. The Jennings briefings, it has said, were simply informational presentations to other political appointees.

PCOL Comment: Last month Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter said he "would not condone" such meetings at Peace Corps Headquarters. Sen. Joseph Biden is seeking documents relating to questions about whether the briefings complied with Hatch Act provisions that generally make it illegal for most federal employees to engage in political activities while working on government time.

J. Scott Jennings, the former deputy White House political director, briefed officials at the Peace Corps on congressional campaigns

An Up-and-Comer Up and Leaves for PR Job in Kentucky

By Peter Baker

Monday, October 8, 2007; Page A15

The revolving door at the White House continues with the departure of J. Scott Jennings, who is following his mentor and former boss, Karl Rove, out of the fishbowl. Jennings, the deputy White House political director, left Friday to head home to Kentucky, where he will join Peritus Public Relations.

Jennings was well regarded within the White House but came under fire for delivering private PowerPoint briefings on Republican election prospects at federal agencies where partisan activities are highly restricted. Among those Jennings briefed on congressional campaigns were diplomats and officials at the Peace Corps. The Office of Special Counsel is looking into the propriety of those briefings.

The sessions were part of a broader "asset deployment" strategy devised by Rove to fully utilize the power of incumbency on behalf of the president's reelection campaign and congressional Republican allies, including meticulously planned official announcements, high-profile trips and declarations of federal grants, all coordinated with the White House political affairs office. Democratic lawmakers are investigating, but the White House defends its actions as completely legal. The Jennings briefings, it has said, were simply informational presentations to other political appointees.

Congressional investigators have also sought Jennings's testimony on the firings of U.S. attorneys stemming from his involvement in the appointment of another former Rove aide, Tim Griffin, to replace Bud Cummins as U.S. attorney in Arkansas. Jennings's use of a Republican National Committee e-mail account to discuss the appointment has also drawn scrutiny. He cited executive privilege in declining to answer questions before a Senate committee in August.

Rove and others see Jennings as an up-and-comer. Before coming to the White House, Jennings, 29, was political director for three successful campaigns in Kentucky -- George W. Bush's first presidential bid in 2000, Sen. Mitch McConnell's reelection in 2002 and Gov. Ernie Fletcher's campaign in 2003. In 2004, Jennings headed Bush's operation in New Mexico, one of only two states that flipped from Democrat to Republican. "He's a very able guy and has got great judgment and great political skills," Rove said in an interview.

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Headlines: October, 2007; Politics; Crime; Peace Corps Headquarters

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