Commentator Armstrong Williams, the first involved in the pundit payola scandal, told the New York Times "it was his own idea to seek a contract with the administration" to promote President Bush's policies.
Williams "said he submitted proposals early in the administration to both the Education Department and the Department of Health and Human Services offering to play a role promoting programs aimed at African-Americans."
"He said he had viewed the advertising on his own program as both a public service and good business, never imagining it would someday erupt in an episode that has made his name a metaphor for government efforts to pay off journalists."