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Gibbs: White House Didn’t Know of Baucus’ Relationship With Hanes

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told Roll Call on Monday that nobody at the White House was aware that a woman recommended to the White House by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to be appointed a U.S. attorney was Baucus’ girlfriend.Baucus has acknowledged he nominated Melodee Hanes but then withdrew the nomination, though he insists she was qualified for the job.Gibbs earlier suggested to reporters that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, former chief of staff to Baucus, was also unaware of the relationship.

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