GOP lobbying firm undermines al-Maliki

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. lobbying firm with close ties to the White House is campaigning to undermine Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, CNN reported Friday.

A senior Bush administration official confirmed the White House is aware that Barbour Griffith & Rogers is "blasting e-mails all over town," criticizing al-Maliki and promoting its client, former interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, as his replacement.

But the official insisted White House officials are not endorsing or involved in the campaign to remove al-Maliki.

"There's just no connection whatsoever," the official told CNN. "There's absolutely no involvement."

The report comes as President Bush has publicly declared his continued support for the embattled Iraqi leader.

When asked whether the White House will request that the prominent Republican lobbying firm stop working against al-Maliki, the official said, "I don't rule it out."

So, why would allies of the White House contradict the president publicly in this matter?

"They're making a lot of money," the official replied.