Sleazewatch 2002

Guardian Unlimited Observer | International | Bush squirms in sleaze scandalWhen it became clear last week Bush had not filed his documents, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer blamed 'a mix-up with the attorneys'. However, Robin Jordan, the leading lawyer concerned, went on to be appointed by Bush as ambassador to the oil kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

'Funny,' observed a former senior official in the Clinton administration, 'that the man at fault, instead of getting sanctioned, gets sent to a vital national security post by a President from Texas to an oil state and pivotal ally.'

There remains 'one great mystery', says Royce. 'Who was the "institutional client" who bought Bush's shares? Who the hell bought such a large block of crumby stock?' The broker of the deal, Ralph Smith, refuses to say. 'Someone out there was sure looking after George W,' says Royce.