Another Problem for Commentator Who Took Bush Money

By: Dave Astor Armstrong Williams -- who, according to a USA Today story, received $240,000 from the Bush administration to promote the No Child Left Behind education-reform law on his TV and radio shows in 2004 -- also discussed NCLB in his "The Right Side" syndicated newspaper column at least four times last year.

In a May 24 column criticizing the National Education Association, the Tribune Media Services (TMS)-distributed Williams wrote that the NEA is "fundamentally opposed to any education reform -- like vouchers or the No Child Left Behind Act -- that seeks to hold public schools accountable for their failures." He also mentioned NCLB in his May 14, March 1, and Jan. 7 columns last year.

Williams also wrote about the Bush administration's education-reform efforts in his Oct. 26 column, though he didn't specifically mention NCLB.

TMS is taking this seriously, John Twohey, vice president for editorial and operations, told E&P today. "It's troubling, at best." He added that TMS doesn't want to decide what action to take, if any, until "we get the complete set of facts. We don't want to leap to any conclusions based on incomplete information. I owe it to him and his newspaper clients."

Twohey said he talked with Williams today, and was told by the columnist that "the rendition of events in USA Today is not complete." The TMS executive added that he will talk again with Williams later today.

The syndicate did not immediately have available the number of newspapers that buy Williams' column.

USA Today reported that Williams received the $240,000 to "promote [NCLB] on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same." Williams was also required, according to the story, to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots.

Williams told USA Today that he understood how people might find the arrangement problematic, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in." The newspaper also quoted the top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, as saying that the contract is "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that's "probably illegal." Miller said he will seek an investigation.

Democratic leaders in Congress, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), today called on President Bush to stop the use of "illegal covert propaganda" to promote government policy. ?It would be abhorrent to our system of government if these incidents were part of a deliberate pattern of behavior by your Administration to deceive the public and the media in an effort to further your policy objectives,? they stated.

Rep. George Miller (D-CA) today requested that the Department of Education's Inspector General investigate the $240,000 contract with Williams.