Third White House shill uncovered

Yet another national columnist has found to be a graduate of the "George W. Bush School of Journalism." Columnist Mike McManus, whose work is syndicated in about 40 papers across the United States, was paid about $4,000 to train mentors in 2003 and 2004 in order to advance the Bush administration's marriage initiatives. He also received $49,000 by a group called Marriage Savers, USA Today reported Friday. "I don't see that it's relevant," McManus told the newspaper. "I was hired because we have an expertise in working with churches." He said his columns aren't influenced by the payments and pointed to one in October in which he chided Bush on an environmental issue. The revelation comes upon the heels of two other commentators, Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher, who were paid thousands to advocate on behalf of the White House programs that go to benefit straight couples but not same-sex couples. On Thursday, Bush called for such deals to be stopped.