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Return to Article: Doan: 'I lost the battle'

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  I hope everyone has the opportunity to WATCH/LISTEN to these two hearings on GSA Doan. Waxman was exemplary, as was Reps.Tierney, Braley, and Welch, at extracting the truth from this contemptuous and unapologetic witness, like pulling an eye-tooth. Doan actually enjoyed fencing with the congressmen, denying the obvious, even when it was presented to her and spelled out! Incredible. Refusing even to acknowledge that that Hatch Act violations are illegal - and shouldn't be allowed in the GSA!! This woman certainly doesn't belong anywhere in government - where honesty and fairness should prevail. This GOP crony was more interested in gleening money for her department, at taxpayer expense, by charging taxpayers millions of dollars more for contracts. She lied repeated under oath about her statements and involvement in politicizing her agency (similar to the Gonzales Justice department, in which Gonzo left in disgrace). Here we have another rat caught siphoning off sweetheart deals for her friends, and for the Bushies. Shame on you Lorita Doan. Shame on you for damaging our homeland with your expensive stunts. Thank you Chairman Waxman for stopping this crony from turning the GSA into another Swiftboating.org targeting the 2008 elections. Doan, good riddance!! Loser.

  F Furtner Posted July 31, 2008 9:34 PM
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  Doan's not being truthful and there're likely a slew of more reasons why she's gone! Most people fired by the Administration in this manner are under investigation for treason and corruption and are to be indicted.

  Doan's vulerability includes Jim Williams heading FAS, performing Tom Davis' 911-insider agenda--shared by the Northern Virginia Technology Council which is comprised of mostly 911 insiders and mob foot soldiers. What kind of mess Doan is involved in will be better guessed by the public in November when Dusty Foggo is tried. There is something coming out at that trial when evidence is heard that will show all of her deeds at GSA were criminal!

  The odds are very strong also that Doan's former company supplied the illicit NSA surveillance programs involving putting mini cameras into private citizens' bedrooms.

  I researched the sale of Doan's former company. The transaction was very irregular!

  Dawn Posted May 8, 2008 10:31 PM
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  Lurita Doan was an outstanding leader and role model for many at GSA, achieving a number of significant accomplishments during her tenure. She displayed courage and tenacity while injecting energy and enthusiasm into the agency. She boosted morale with her transparency, candor, can-do attitude and wonderful sense of humor. She will be missed by many of her colleagues. GSA's loss will be the private sector's gain. The dogs may bark, Lurita, but your caravan moves on!

  Paul Cuddihy Posted May 7, 2008 6:33 AM
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  This is the first time I heard of another possibility for why she was being fired now; ie, the White House trying to impose two political hacks (I assume!) to replace two professional employees. I hope Government Executive follows up on this the next couple of weeks, to notice if those two are now appointed, with Doan gone.

  Dave Huntsman Posted May 6, 2008 9:17 PM
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  Brodsky's reporting has been brilliant and has not only brought fresh insight into the whole Doan issue, but has also taught us a bit more about ourselves. You can't help but gasp at the energy, clarity of purpose, thought and deed that Doan exuded. Like many other companies, we deal with GSA and know first hand that the IG is the single unavoidable hindrance to sensible and speedy solutions. I am quite certain that every single major federal contractor would privately say the same thing, and smaller companies would too if they knew that the IG was the molasses that gums up all procurements. Everyone was rather complacent as we watched the bitter feud roll on. She actually had lots of support but her allies never spoke out.. So Doan is gone and the energy and optimism will all get dialed sharply back. Time to admit that we have the procurement system and perhaps the government we deserve.

  fed contractor Posted May 6, 2008 2:55 PM
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  Now if only the Bush administration would fire George W. Bush, they'd be on a roll!

  DSR

  David Posted May 6, 2008 12:07 PM
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  I think most of this administrations appointments have been one huge Distraction. Thank goodness they will all be gone along with Bush.

  W D Jackson Posted May 6, 2008 11:44 AM
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  She's lucky to have been asked for her resignation. Someone at the White House could just have easily called her and said, "You're fired."

  Steven Posted May 6, 2008 9:13 AM
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  Would someone tell her to shut up, please!

  David Posted May 6, 2008 9:03 AM
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  And this is why I love Ms. Doan. She stands up for what she believes in and tells the truth. The government is not used to a strong woman like her.

  Fed Posted May 6, 2008 8:54 AM
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  That quote says it all. It was a battle because that's what she chose. No one was looking for a battle with Doan but all she could see were enemies and impediments.

  There are thousands of employees at GSA yearning for productive change and some good steps were taken under Ms. Doan's tenure. But it's time to move on. Perhaps the next phase of leadership will see customers amassing on the horizon and not enemy hoardes.

  Archer Posted May 6, 2008 8:52 AM
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  Doan's view about how GSA employees viewed her and the job she was doing is wrong! She was very stubborn and had selective listening skills. She didn't cut it at GSA because she was still in a civilian mind set and couldn't adjust to working in the government. GSA is not above the law, and that's what the IG and GAO do for a living they report our GSA business transactions to Congress. Doan didn't want the IG or GAO to be reviewing her transactions because of what they might expose and guess what they found some stuff, what a suprise! GSA is an OK place to work, but it still has a long way to go. GSA won't miss Doan as much as her super-ego will miss GSA.

  GSA employee Posted May 6, 2008 8:46 AM
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  I'm not surprised at all.

  She doesn't get fired for ethical lapses or for fighting with Congress-- she gets fired for refusing to permit more political hacks from the White House to be hired into GSA.

  This administration is going out like it came in- blind to ethics, blind to good government standards and totally interested in pushing political hacks across the entire federal government. The damage this administration has done to the Civil Service program first set up by President Garfield is immeasurable. Just go ask the President's good friend Brownie who seems to be doing quite nicely in the private sector as an emergency management expert-- So many of these political hacks take their 5 minutes of federal service into the private sector to make a killing.

  I'm sure Ms. Doan will do quite nicely with her 22 months of outstanding and ethical federal service.

  HR Specialist Posted May 6, 2008 8:03 AM
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  Oddly, the first line of the article reads that Don is "one of Washington's most unflinching bureaucratic warriors". The article then proceeds to list all the reasons Doan was forced to resign.

  While not asking Govexec to be judge and jury, Doan's 22 month tenure sounds like a train wreck. I commend Govexec for their "unflinching" coverage of this whole sordid affair involving a close friend of the WH. The shock waves at GSA actually DO affect the entire Federal Service. Keep up the good work and the objectivity.

  Don Posted May 6, 2008 7:33 AM
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  Excellent interview. It sums up nicely that Doan was riveted on internal GSA matters of all sorts. The world of customers and getting their business and satisfying some industry/supplier needs got little of her attention most of the time. Wish her well in her next gig; she'll be happier.

  Michael Lent Posted May 6, 2008 5:19 AM