White House mum on Doan resignation
During a press briefing yesterday (April 30), White House spokeswoman Dana Perino refused to elaborate on Doan’s departure.
“Well, I’m not going to comment on a—on the resignation,” Perino said, according to a White House transcript. “I will confirm, obviously, that she has resigned from GSA. While serving as the administrator, she worked very hard to respond effectively during the times of emergency. She also worked to make sure that all of the numerous buildings in the federal government are as energy-efficient as possible. And the president is grateful for her service and wishes her the best.”
When asked if Doan was forced out by the White House, Perino refused to comment. When asked whether President Bush wanted Doan to stay, Perino was quick to move on to a different subject.
“I’m not going to comment,” Perino told reporters. “She tendered her resignation and it was accepted.”
Doan’s tumultuous 22-month tenure at the GSA was marked by allegations that she tried to steer a no-bid contract to a longtime friend, allegations that she improperly intervened in contract negotiations with Sun Microsystems and a federal probe concluding that Doan violated the Hatch Act when she asked GSA officials how they could help fellow Republicans in upcoming elections. However, according to an article on the Government Executive Web site, Doan’s bloody public feud with GSA Inspector General Brian Miller likely sparked the White House’s decision to ask for her resignation.
For more, read “Doan forced to step down from GSA post.”