Looks to me like the Dems are hyping this whole attorney thing in order to set a trap for George W's impeachment. Perhaps if he resists subpoenas or other strong-arm tactics, Rep. Conyers and the attack dogs of the Senate will launch into George W. for obstructing justice and attempt to impeach him for it.
Just a thought.
Anyway, here's an article that supports my theory.
WASHINGTON (AP) - A House panel on Wednesday approved subpoenas for President Bush's political adviser, Karl Rove and other top White House aides, setting up a constitutional showdown over the firings of eight federal prosecutors.
By itself, it seems like an ineffective charge.
By voice vote, the House Judiciary subcommittee on commercial and administrative law decided to compel the president's top aides to testify publicly and under oath about their roles in the firings.
Here's where it gets sticky.
The White House has refused to budge in the controversy, standing by embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and insisting that the firings were appropriate. White House spokesman Tony Snow said that in offering aides to talk to the committees privately, Bush had sought to avoid the "media spectacle" that would result from public hearings with Rove and others at the witness table.
George W. avoiding a media spectacle is like Rosie keeping her mouth shut--an impossibility!
"The question they've got to ask themselves is, are you more interested in a political spectacle than getting the truth?" Snow said of the overture Tuesday that was relayed to Capitol Hill by White House counsel Fred Fielding.
Funny thing is, he was saying that to a bunch of media hounds.
"There must be accountability," countered subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sanchez, D-Calif.
So says one of the dumbest idiots ever to "serve" in congress.
The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a vote Thursday on its own set of subpoenas, with Democrats complaining that the threat of force is the only way to get a straight answer from the White House.
They came into power on threats and bluster. That's how they rule!
"The White House is in a bunker mentalitywon't listen, won't change," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "I believe there is even more to come out, and I think it's our duty to bring it out."
Based on your innate perception and unmatched intellect, Senator, I suppose we have no choice except agree!
The House subcommittee Wednesday approved, but has not issued, subpoenas for Rove, former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, their deputies and Kyle Sampson, Gonzales' chief of staff, who resigned over the uproar last week.
What weak-kneed idiots we have these days. Charles "The Finger-breaker" Schumer barks like a Pekinese, and these guys run for the hills!
The panel also voted to compel the production of documents related to the firings from those officials and Gonzales, Fielding and White House chief of staff Joshua Bolton. Fielding a day earlier refused to provide Congress internal White House communications on the subject.
I think internal leaks will be good enough.
The full Judiciary Committee would authorize the subpoenas if Chairman John Conyers of Michigan chose to do so.
How does a two-year elector position get held by the same fat bastard for what, 40 years?!
Authorizing the subpoenas "does provide this body the leverage needed to negotiate from a position of strength," said Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass.
Always tough talk from these guys. Wish I heard some of that from that adorable kitten ex-speaker Denny Hastert.
Republicans called the authorization premature, though some GOP members said they would consider voting to approve the subpoenas if Conyers promises to issue them only if he has evidence of wrongdoing.
Naturally. Sell-outs!
Conyers agreed. "This (authority) will not be used in a way that will make you regret your vote."
Oh! we can call bet on that! $25 on the brotha from Chicago!
Several Republicans said, "No" during the voice vote, but no roll call was taken.
Right. Their opinions are not needed here.
For his part, Bush remained resolute. Would he fight Democrats in court to protect his aides against congressional subpoenas? "Absolutely," Bush declared.
That's just what Conyers wants to hear.
Bush said Tuesday he worried that allowing testimony under oath would set a precedent on the separation of powers that would harm the presidency as an institution.
No, just his presidency.
If neither side blinks, the dispute could end up in courtultimately the Supreme Courtin a politically messy development that would prolong what Bush called the "public spectacle" of the Justice Department's firings, and public trashings, of the eight U.S. attorneys.
Good! Better this sort of nonsense is all over the front pages of our newspapers than, say, Iraq.
Bush defended Gonzales against demands from congressional Democrats and a handful of Republicans that Gonzales resign. "He's got support with me," Bush said. "I support the attorney general."
Oi! If I was Gonzaleth I would consider resigning after hearing that...
Democrats say the prosecutors' dismissals were politically motivated. Gonzales initially had asserted the firings were performance-related, not based on political considerations.
I wonder why anyone cares...
But e-mails released earlier this month between the Justice Department and the White House contradicted that assertion and led to a public apology from Gonzales over the handling of the matter.
An apology from anyone about anything is a good thing these days.
The e-mails showed that Rove, as early as Jan. 6, 2005, questioned whether the U.S. attorneys should all be replaced at the start of Bush's second term, and to some degree worked with Miers and Sampson to get some prosecutors dismissed.
They should have! Clear out the dead wood! Couldn't agree more!
Still, if Bush finally decides to get some balls, I am betting this is NOT the time to do it. Schumer is winding up his left foot for a punt in Dubya's direction...
Bets, anyone?
Jurched
Just a thought.
Anyway, here's an article that supports my theory.
WASHINGTON (AP) - A House panel on Wednesday approved subpoenas for President Bush's political adviser, Karl Rove and other top White House aides, setting up a constitutional showdown over the firings of eight federal prosecutors.
By itself, it seems like an ineffective charge.
By voice vote, the House Judiciary subcommittee on commercial and administrative law decided to compel the president's top aides to testify publicly and under oath about their roles in the firings.
Here's where it gets sticky.
The White House has refused to budge in the controversy, standing by embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and insisting that the firings were appropriate. White House spokesman Tony Snow said that in offering aides to talk to the committees privately, Bush had sought to avoid the "media spectacle" that would result from public hearings with Rove and others at the witness table.
George W. avoiding a media spectacle is like Rosie keeping her mouth shut--an impossibility!
"The question they've got to ask themselves is, are you more interested in a political spectacle than getting the truth?" Snow said of the overture Tuesday that was relayed to Capitol Hill by White House counsel Fred Fielding.
Funny thing is, he was saying that to a bunch of media hounds.
"There must be accountability," countered subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sanchez, D-Calif.
So says one of the dumbest idiots ever to "serve" in congress.
The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a vote Thursday on its own set of subpoenas, with Democrats complaining that the threat of force is the only way to get a straight answer from the White House.
They came into power on threats and bluster. That's how they rule!
"The White House is in a bunker mentalitywon't listen, won't change," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "I believe there is even more to come out, and I think it's our duty to bring it out."
Based on your innate perception and unmatched intellect, Senator, I suppose we have no choice except agree!
The House subcommittee Wednesday approved, but has not issued, subpoenas for Rove, former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, their deputies and Kyle Sampson, Gonzales' chief of staff, who resigned over the uproar last week.
What weak-kneed idiots we have these days. Charles "The Finger-breaker" Schumer barks like a Pekinese, and these guys run for the hills!
The panel also voted to compel the production of documents related to the firings from those officials and Gonzales, Fielding and White House chief of staff Joshua Bolton. Fielding a day earlier refused to provide Congress internal White House communications on the subject.
I think internal leaks will be good enough.
The full Judiciary Committee would authorize the subpoenas if Chairman John Conyers of Michigan chose to do so.
How does a two-year elector position get held by the same fat bastard for what, 40 years?!
Authorizing the subpoenas "does provide this body the leverage needed to negotiate from a position of strength," said Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass.
Always tough talk from these guys. Wish I heard some of that from that adorable kitten ex-speaker Denny Hastert.
Republicans called the authorization premature, though some GOP members said they would consider voting to approve the subpoenas if Conyers promises to issue them only if he has evidence of wrongdoing.
Naturally. Sell-outs!
Conyers agreed. "This (authority) will not be used in a way that will make you regret your vote."
Oh! we can call bet on that! $25 on the brotha from Chicago!
Several Republicans said, "No" during the voice vote, but no roll call was taken.
Right. Their opinions are not needed here.
For his part, Bush remained resolute. Would he fight Democrats in court to protect his aides against congressional subpoenas? "Absolutely," Bush declared.
That's just what Conyers wants to hear.
Bush said Tuesday he worried that allowing testimony under oath would set a precedent on the separation of powers that would harm the presidency as an institution.
No, just his presidency.
If neither side blinks, the dispute could end up in courtultimately the Supreme Courtin a politically messy development that would prolong what Bush called the "public spectacle" of the Justice Department's firings, and public trashings, of the eight U.S. attorneys.
Good! Better this sort of nonsense is all over the front pages of our newspapers than, say, Iraq.
Bush defended Gonzales against demands from congressional Democrats and a handful of Republicans that Gonzales resign. "He's got support with me," Bush said. "I support the attorney general."
Oi! If I was Gonzaleth I would consider resigning after hearing that...
Democrats say the prosecutors' dismissals were politically motivated. Gonzales initially had asserted the firings were performance-related, not based on political considerations.
I wonder why anyone cares...
But e-mails released earlier this month between the Justice Department and the White House contradicted that assertion and led to a public apology from Gonzales over the handling of the matter.
An apology from anyone about anything is a good thing these days.
The e-mails showed that Rove, as early as Jan. 6, 2005, questioned whether the U.S. attorneys should all be replaced at the start of Bush's second term, and to some degree worked with Miers and Sampson to get some prosecutors dismissed.
They should have! Clear out the dead wood! Couldn't agree more!
Still, if Bush finally decides to get some balls, I am betting this is NOT the time to do it. Schumer is winding up his left foot for a punt in Dubya's direction...
Bets, anyone?
Jurched