HUD's Jackson and Hookergate?

This is getting to be more and more fun. Now a Democratic congresswoman sees links between HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson's bragging that he refuses to award government contracts to those who don't support Bush and the HUD's award of a contract to Shirlington Limo, the company involved in the alleged Hookergate scandal:

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, today sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson, calling on him to immediately release all records and documents pertaining to the $519,823 contract awarded to Shirlington Limousine and Transportation, Inc.

In light of Shirlington Limousine's reported connection to the Duke Cunningham bribery and prostitution scandal, as well as recent comments made by Jackson that he refused to award a contract to an individual who said he did not "like" President Bush, the HUD contracting process should be opened up to the light of day, starting with Shirlington Limousine.

Slaughter said, "The Bush Administration is denying contracts to qualified companies who happen to disagree with the President personally, but awarding contracts to criminals with troubling business records. Meanwhile, Shirlington Limousine is also embroiled in a shocking scandal involving bribery and prostitution.

"HUD must be held accountable for the contracts they award, and the Republican Congress has an abysmal track record when it comes to oversight. I hope Secretary Jackson will accommodate my request and allow the American public to see exactly how the Bush Administration spends their taxpayer dollars."

I'm sure she won't get the info she's seeking, but the sheer volume of the noise this is generating is going to drown out any message the Thuglicans try to get out.