(Washington, DC) -- Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs firmly rejects suggestions that the White House played a role in the departure of Congressman Eric Massa. Gibbs called such speculation "silly and ridiculous." Massa, a New York Democrat, resigned this week amid allegations of sexual harassment of another man. Massa has since leveled accusations that Democratic leaders forced him out because of his opposition to the Democratic healthcare reform legislation. The 50-year-old Massa represented the 29th Congressional District in New York.
In a radio interview this week, Massa called White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel "the son of the devil's spawn." Massa claimed Emanuel would "sell his mother to get a vote" and "would strap his children to the front of a steam locomotive." Announcing his resignation last week, Massa originally said he would not seek re-election due to health problems.
