The White House Plagiarist

And here's a note from Kerry Hubartt, the editor of the News-Sentinel: "Timothy S. Goeglein, former Fort Wayne resident and now a special assistant to President George Bush, has been accused of plagiarism over a guest column about education The News-Sentinel published on our editorial page on Thursday.

"Goeglein has admitted that portions of the column were used from another source without attribution. He has apologized to the editors of The News-Sentinel and also said there may be other previous columns he has written for The News-Sentinel that also may contain plagiarized material. We have found material in at least two other previous guest columns lifted from other sources without attribution and are continuing to check other previous submissions."

Here are 2004 profiles of Goeglein from the Washington Post and the New York Times.

On Wednesday, Goeglein contributed a short essay to a National Review appreciation of William F. Buckley. The National Review identified him as director of public liaison, which would mean he got promoted recently. Goeglein's office wouldn't confirm that, and the White House press office has not yet returned calls.

UPDATE, 3 p.m.: White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore called me back and said the White House was made aware of the plagiarism issue this morning, when Goeglein "alerted his immediate supervisor," Julie Cram, who is the director of public liaison.

"This is not acceptable. We are disappointed in Tim's actions. He is offering no excuses and he agrees it was wrong," Lawrimore said. "Plagiarism is unacceptable."

Lawrimore said Goeglein was at work today, but she wouldn't speculate on his future. The president was not briefed on the situation before he left for a weekend in Crawford, she said, so "I have nothing further for you on next steps."

She added: "Over the years, Tim has worked very hard on behalf of the president, and it's disappointing."

Contempt Watch

Lara Jakes Jordan writes for the Associated Press: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the Justice Department on Thursday to open a grand jury investigation into whether President Bush's chief of staff and former counsel should be prosecuted for contempt of Congress.

"Pelosi, D-Calif., demanded that the department pursue misdemeanor charges against former White House counsel Harriet Miers for refusing to testify to Congress about the firings of federal prosecutors in 2006 and against chief of staff Josh Bolten for failing to turn over White House documents related to the dismissals.

"She gave Attorney General Michael Mukasey one week to respond and said refusal to take the matter to a grand jury will result in the House's filing a civil lawsuit against the Bush administration.

"The White House branded the request as 'truly contemptible.' The Justice Department said it had received Pelosi's request and anticipated providing further guidance after Mukasey's review. It noted 'long-standing department precedent' in such cases against letting a U.S. attorney refer a congressional contempt citation to a grand jury or prosecute an executive branch. The top House Republican called it 'a partisan political stunt' and 'a complete waste of time,' according to a spokesman....