Senate Panel Authorizes Subpoena For Rove
But Stops Short Of Issuing Subpoenas For White House Aides Over Firings Of U.S. Attorneys
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Showdown In Washington
Congress authorized subpoenas for Harriet Miers and Karl Rove, but the White House has refused to budge as the conflict over the DOJ firings heated up in the nation's capital. Jim Axelrod reports.
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Gonzales: I Will Not Resign
CBS News RAW: U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told reporters he will not resign from his post at the Justice Department, adding that no U.S. attorneys were fired improperly.
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Senators OK Aide Subpoenas
CBS News RAW: A U.S. Senate panel has authorized subpoenas for White House political adviser Karl Rove and other top aides involved in the firing of eight federal prosecutors.
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Senate Judiciary Committee members, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, and Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., argue over whether to issue subpoenas to White House staffers in the dismissal of U.S. attorneys, March 22, 2007. (AP)
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President Bush speaks to reporters at the White House, March 20, 2007. Mr. Bush decried any attempts by Democrats to engage in "a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honorable public servants." (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Former White House counsel Harriet Miers is among the officials who could face Congressional subpoenas. (Getty Images)
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Former U.S. attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico, one of the eight fired prosecutors, said he wants "a written retraction by the Justice Department setting the record straight" about his job performance. (AP Photo)
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Who's Who
Firings Firestorm
Justice Department at center of controversy over firing of eight U.S. attorneys.
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110th Congress
The balance of power shifts and new leadership takes control as the latest session convenes.
Democrats portrayed the subpoena authority, approved on voice vote by both the House and Senate Judiciary committees, as a bargaining chip in negotiations over the terms of any testimony by White House political adviser Karl Rove.
The committees' chairmen, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., appeared in no rush to issue subpoenas to White House officials and provoke a standoff.
Talks continued behind the scenes, officials said, even as the White House and majority Democrats engaged in strategic posturing before the cameras.
While President Bush has publicly expressed his support for the embattled Attorney General, Gonzales has a morale problem inside his Justice Department, CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports. Some officials are increasingly worried that the scandal surrounding the firing of eight federal prosecutors has become a distraction for the other U.S. Attorneys who are supposed to be fighting crime.
In letters Thursday, Senate and House Democrats rejected White House counsel Fred Fielding's offer to let Rove and other administration officials talk about their roles in the firings, but only on Bush's terms: in private, off the record and not under oath.
"I have never heard the Senate take an ultimatum like that," Leahy said. "I know he's the decider for the White House. "But he's not the decider for the United States Senate."
"Your proposal will not facilitate a full and fair inquiry," wrote Conyers and Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif.
White House spokesman Tony Snow cast the administration's offer to allow Rove, former White House counsel Harriet Miers and their deputies talk to lawmakers in private as the best deal Democrats are going to get.
"We opened with a compromise," Snow told reporters. "By our reaching out, we're doing something that we're not compelled to do by the Constitution." But, he added, "The phone lines are still open."
Snow, in an interview on CBS' The Early Show accused supporters of subpoenas of wanting "a Perry Mason scene where people are hot-dogging and grandstanding and trying to score political points."
In a testy exchange with The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Snow said the White House's offer was generous.
"If anybody's worried about the communication the White House may have made with somebody, they're going to get it," Snow tersely responded. "If they're going to want to get an answer and want to get the facts from somebody, they're going to get it. What they're not going to get is the ability to create a show trial atmosphere."
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 641 CommentsSounds like "You're doing a heck of a job Brownie" or "Secretary Rumsfeld has my full confidence and support". Got your resume updated Alberto? Because just like Libbey you're going to be the fall guy that falls on his sword so the scandal doesn't reach the sainted Rove. You're career and reputation are in the shi*tter because Bush wants to protect Rove. How does it feel to get screwed for your loyalty? How does it feel to be tossed aside like garbage as so many others have been, because Bush will screw over anyone and everyone to protect Karl Rove? Bush would dump his mother before Rove. They're alreadt interviewing your replacement. So much for the one way street that is republican loyalty.
"If Nancy isn't up to the task at hand, perhaps it's time to let someone with b***s take over."
Agreed.
It's about time the Dems do something instead of just talking about it.
Fight as dirty as those Republican bast*rds do.
Was San Diego US Attorney fired for knowing too much?
WORLD EXCLUSIVE
March 8 2007
by Daniel Hopsicker
The Randy Cunningham "Hookergate" Scandal is not the first prostitution scandal involving close relatives of indicted defense contractor Brent Wilkes, The MadCowMorningNews has learned.
Brent Wilkes brother, Gregory Wilkes, managed the finances of The Wilkes Foundation, which was suspended by the State of California after failing to file financial statements for three years in a row.
At the same time he also worked for a "Bush Pioneer" named R.D. Hubbard, who was caught in June of 2001 flying almost a dozen hookers by private jet to a casino he owned to service men government documents have only identified as "48 wealthy guests."
http://www.madcowprod.com/
We can still support our allies such as Israel without putting their interest over that of our own country. This is something American Politicians have not understood! It is not in Americas interest to attack Iran or to stay in Iraq!
If you follow the money trail you will find that most of those elected officials who support the war in Iraq are under the influence of AIPAC.
http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm
Now here is the real kicker! President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! This is Impeachment and Treason! Here is the proof Read it!
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh
If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
The House Speakers email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
info@gop.com Here is the Republican Party email address too!
democraticparty@democrats.org Here is the Democratic Party email address also!
I HAVE PROVIDED YOU THE CONTACT AND RESEARCH STREAMS NOW THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR YOUR TO CONTINUE TO EAT THE GRASS AND DRINK THE DICKTATERS COOL AID!
Karl Rove - get ready to handle your pitchfork.
I THINK WE CAN NOW SEE THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG!!
Maybe Rove knows about it ....
http://oversight.house.gov/investigations.asp?Issue=Disclosure+of CIA Agent Identity
I will go with America. With my President.
I wont go with: Liberals, Lesbians,Traitors
Anti-americans,Terrorists,and with all who want
to sell our Country,our Democracy.
DEMONCRATS, will destroy family values,moral
dignity,and will make deals with our enemies.
America will no forget Sep/11/2001. Traitors will.Like sewer rats.
In an investigation into whether seven U.S. attorneys were fired for political rather than professional reasons, the Justice Department on Monday handed over 3,000 pages of documents to the House and Senate Judiciary committees.
But the documents included no correspondence about the firings in the critical time period between November 15, 2006, and December 2, 2006, right before the attorneys were asked for their resignations.
MERICA. They are experts doing that.
All world knows they are a bunch of liars.
They want to divide our country,but America will
send to them a bill. They belong to DEMONCRATS.
What they will say?.
Later in the same e-mail Gonzalez said, "I am concerned that to execute this plan properly we must all be on the same page and be steeled to withstand any political upheaval that might result."
Miers responded that same morning, saying, "Not sure whether this will be determined to require the boss's attention" and noted that President Bush had left town the night before. Sampson then asked, "Who will determine whether this requires the president's attention?"
December 2 Sampson e-mailed Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty's chief of staff, saying, "The list is expanded; still waiting for green light from White House (though we would not launch until after 12/7 anyway)."
On December 4, Deputy White House Counsel William Kelley told Sampson, "We're a go for the US atty [sic] plan. WH leg [legislative affairs], political, and communications have signed off and acknowledged that we have to be committed to following through once the pressure comes."
Sampson said he forwarded the message to other Justice Department officials, saying, "We are a go for Thursday."
Some of them are very well know,others work for
our enemies. Others pretend to be neutrals,others
are looking for power. All of them are enemies of
our Country.
dont be manipulate for DEMONCRATS,they want the
power to destroy our values.
Our ancestors are with us.
Sonny, stop playing with the computer when you mammy is out! Go back to your leggo game and leave the adults alone!
But the right one. Any women could be better than
Hillary. She will destroy America.
Is my perssonal oppinion.
Updated: 8:48 a.m. ET March 21, 2007
WASHINGTON - With every unfolding crisis, President Bush is finding fewer allies in his corner. Republicans are ever more nervous about the Iraq war, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' problems, FBI abuses of the Patriot Act and the botched treatment of war wounded at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"I think Republicans are in a very awkward position of having to defend a number of indefensible acts," said GOP strategist Scott Reed. "It's causing them to move into the every-man-for-himself mode."
They are playing(DEMONCRATS),with american people.
dont be manipulate for DEMONCRATS,they want the
power to destroy our values.
Our ancestors are with us.
Posted by j02281 at 07:10 AM : Mar 22, 2007
Let me guess. Slept through History class? Right? LMAO It's called OVERSIGHT... something the Fascist in the last congress FAILED so badly at.
MERICA. They are experts doing that.
Posted by j02281 at 07:01 AM : Mar 22, 2007
+ report this comment
Right! Now everyone HATE your neighbor and fellow Citizen. Refuse to allow them the right to govern and to be a full citizen because they aren't in THE PARTY. Oh! You also, must ignore that it was the Democrat Party who lead us SUCCESSFULLY through TWO World Wars and Governed NON STOP fromt he Great Depression to the greatest Economic Power on Earth. There's a name for what you're doing Sparky! It's called FASCISM. Sieg Heil
"The Shields-Cragan report reveals that, of the 375 investigations of public officials conducted by the Bush Justice Department, 298 -- or almost 80 percent -- were done against Democratic public officials. Only 67 investigations were performed on Republicans, while 10 probes were done on people affiliated with the Independent, Green or other parties." http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2007/03/study-white-house-guilty-of-political.html
It appears someone has resorted to hiring telemarketers to sling their mud. This poster, j02281, even types with an accent.
Some of them are very well know,others work for
our enemies. Others pretend to be neutrals,others
are looking for power. All of them are enemies of
our Country.
Posted by j02281 at 07:07 AM : Mar 22, 2007
My Father was a Veteran of WW II and was a NEW DEAL Democrat... fine man. I am also a democrat and a veteran of Vietnam. The vast majority of the people in my community are Democrats and fine hard working people at that. The POINT you pathetic FASCIST is you are a LIAR!! We have had enough of this *** put out by the Religious Reich and carried by the Kool Aid Drinkers. Enough already!!
Posted by jn122736
LMAO!!
It appears the republicans are even 'outsourcing' their venom!!
Posted by dallison7 at 07:13 AM : Mar 22, 2007
Yeah and when your leader is a Southern Nazi with an approval somewhere near 30% there's really not much to defend.
bush on tv - explaining why he doesn't want his rabid poodle rove up front and center answering:
"what all they gonna do - make'em raise his hand and cite some legalizin'...."
This guy has no gas in his car, credit cards are revoked, he's intellectually and morally bankrupt!
Next case please....
Posted by theUSA1st
In 1987, Leahy resigned from his position as Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee after an investigation into an alleged leak to a reporter regarding information. The information released by Leahy was not classified and it was determined there was no ethical or criminal violation.
Satisfied?
It seems to me they basically intend to go to Congress and lie (Libby's conviction has them spooked apparently). Otherwise, if it's only a Dem "fishing expedition" and there's nothing there, then why fear swearing under oath?
If you want to see a real problem look at this;
David Wurmser is the Middle East Adviser to US Vice President *** Cheney.
Wurmser, a neoconservative, previously served as special assistant to John R. Bolton at the State Department and was a former research fellow on the Middle East at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He has been credited as being one of the main authors of the 1996 A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm report, a paper prepared for incoming Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Wurmser played a leading role in the creation of a Pentagon intelligence unit that sought to link the Iraqi regime with Al Qaeda in the months leading up to the US invasion.[1]
On September 4, 2004, the Washington Post reported that FBI counterintelligence investigators had questioned Wurmser, along with Harold Rhode, Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith about the passing of classified information to Ahmad Chalabi and/or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. from wikipedia
Posted by karlimhof at 08:07 AM : Mar 22, 2007
No..Senator Leahy is my Senator from Vermont and he is just a political hack. I have known him longer than you...he leaked for political gain. Why don't you just face the fact that the dem's are no better than the repub's.
As a general rule maybe, but the CURRENT crop of Dems are better than the current crop of Repubs. The Repubs have had it good for too long, getting almost everything they wanted the last 12 years. They got fat, lazy and arrogant and now they are paying, like the Dems paid in 1994.
If you want to see a real problem look at this;
Posted by karlimhof at 08:10 AM : Mar 22, 2007
The Big problem is that both sides have their share of arrogant hippocrits. The power has corrupted both sides of the isle. What we really need is term limits. Any incumbent typically has an unfair advantage over challengers. If they spent as much time trying to improve our country as they do playing politics maybe something constructive could get done.
As a general rule maybe, but the CURRENT crop of Dems are better than the current crop of Repubs. The Repubs have had it good for too long, getting almost everything they wanted the last 12 years. They got fat, lazy and arrogant and now they are paying, like the Dems paid in 1994.
Posted by Rafterman1 at 08:21 AM : Mar 22, 2007
And the pendulum swings, as it always do.
Posted by Rafterman1 at 08:21 AM : Mar 22, 2007
sounds about right....
electoral College. [one man one vote] 86 the primary elections or require whatever party has a primary pay for it themselves. [Why should, say, an indepenent have to pay for both R and D primary?]
Yes, definitely. But unfortunately, Congress would have to pass term limits - on themselves. And, like pay raises, no one is going to vote themselves out of a job.
It is the Whitehouse that is trying to make a "SHOW" out of this situation by sending boxes of paper for the Congress to sort through, by making bold threats on television, and by saying the actions of these people are "immune" to scrutiny via sworn testimony.
Stay tuned and see how many rubber stamp REPUBS will hold the line.
"Why don't you just face the fact that the dem's are no better than the repub's."
Nearly all politicians are the same - Democrat or Republican - they'd all sell their own mothers if there was something in it for them.
Having said that, the scum sucking pig known as GW Bush and the rest of his morally bankrupt morons have had their day.
They have proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted.
While the Iraq war has hurt the vast majority of Americans, GW Bush, his daddy (and the rest of the Carlyle Group) and ******** Cheney have been making a profit while Americans have been dying.
For that, they should not be forgiven and if it was up to me, they'd be hung, drawn and quartered for their crimes against humanity.
electoral College. [one man one vote] 86 the primary elections or require whatever party has a primary pay for it themselves. [Why should, say, an indepenent have to pay for both R and D primary?]
Yes, term limits. Campaign reform. No presidential campaigning. [once in office the pres should be working for all the citizens, not campaigning for those in his own party] Have a 6 year preidential term with a "vote of confidence before the 4th year starts, no confidence results in a new election at the end of year 4.
Then let the people decide in the next elections to keep everything as is or give the other party a shot. This would put more pressure on the parties to perform and not just throw up their hands and complain how the other party is holding things up and therefore nothing is getting done.
I like this idea. A President should run the country, not be distracted running around campaigning for a second term.
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