Karl Rove Under The Microscope

The Skinny: White House Political Operations Face Probe By Little-Known Office Of Special Counsel

(CBS)  The Skinny is Joel Roberts' take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.

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A relatively unknown federal investigative unit will launch a probe of the activities of one of the the best-known members of President Bush's inner circle, according to a report in Tuesday's Los Angeles Times.

The Office of Special Counsel, which usually focuses on the actions of fairly low-level government employees, is preparing a "broad investigation" into White House political operations under the purview of the president's top political strategist, Karl Rove.

The investigation will look at the U.S. attorney firings, missing White House e-mails and administration efforts to keep presidential appointees in sync with the Republican political agenda.

The probe "could create a substantial new problem for the Bush White House," says the Times.

What's potentially most troubling for the White House is that this inquiry comes from inside the administration – not from congressional Democrats. And it's a wide-ranging probe of the once-vaunted Rove political operation, unlike the probes of individual scandals being pressed by Congress.

The investigation will be led by Scott J. Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel and a presidential appointee. "We will take the evidence where it leads us," Bloch told the Times. "We will not leave any stone unturned."


Iraqi President Losing Support

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is losing support among "a broad range of prominent Iraqi lawmakers," according to a report in USA Today.

The newspaper says legislators from several Iraqi parties say they've lost confidence in al-Maliki's ability to bring the country's warring factions together.

A top Kurdish lawmaker who once supported al-Maliki now wants him to step down. "He is a weak prime minister," Mahmoud Othman told the paper. "This government hasn't delivered and is not capable of doing the job. They should resign."

The erosion of support for Iraq's leader came as the political battle over the war heated up in Washington, as congressional Democrats agreed to defy President Bush's veto threat and send him legislation that orders the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq beginning Oct. 1.

The New York Times called the looming showdown over Iraq "a test of wills between Mr. Bush and the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill."

The L.A. Times went further, calling the Democrats' move "the prologue for a week that could produce the most serious legislative challenge to a wartime president since the Vietnam era."


Boris Yeltsin: Burly Bear Who Buried U.S.S.R.

The death of Boris Yeltisn was front-page news in most of the nation's top newspapers, as befits someone the New York Times called a "towering figure of his time."

While he was remembered as the man who "buried" the Soviet Union and became Russia's first freely elected leader, the papers also used some colorful adjectives to describe Yeltsin's physique.

The Times called him a "burly provincial politician," while the Washington Post labeled him a "burly Siberian."

The L.A. Times echoed those words, describing the man who "struck the deathblow that shattered the Soviet Union" as a "burly, bearish peasant."


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[mcvet]

This is nothing more than a sneaky attempt by Rove and the White House to get around the situation they face with congress. Just wait and see, these lower than life creatures will do anything to get around the Law.

[alphaa10-2009]

booyaw_77 said, "You snot nose perpetual complaining punks ain't got nut'n on Karl Rove. And its been like that for the past 6 years! Charge after charge.. law that never amounts to more than whining.
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Actually, law is as serious as it gets. You can whine behind prison bars all you like, but it won't change the facts.

Where were you when Bush needed a cheerleader for his coverup on Tillman?

[alphaa10-2009]

Thanks, JWhitman and annabanana-1 for your astute comments. It would be just like Bush2 to use an "internal investigation" as a smokescreen against criticism, especially since this is how corporate America confesses crimes of its own-- just blame it on somebody else, and go through a ritual policy change.

Despite his pro forma response, however, Bush seems increasingly politically tone-deaf to the effect of one scandal after another coming from his watch. Does he suppose we will find it all the more convincing when Bloch finally declares Rove is innocent? And suppose-- gasp-- Bloch is driven for effect to say something damaging about Rove, and causes an actual flesh wound!

All this must be good theater, with ritual sacrifice and bloodletting, or people will begin to turn their gaze on Bush, himself.

[firststate]

The article at: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042407J.shtml is a more substantive report on Bloch's plans for investigation. He's got enough material to work with. If he can't find illegal activity, he's baffled by the Bushshit. Uncle Karl must have gotten him pissed about something, but he should know that he can be dumped before he can run with one of the felonies left in Rove's wake.

[long_rider]

Seems like rover is in to other things as well.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042407A.shtml

A good reason to go back to the paper ballot at election time.

[long_rider]

Seems like rover is in to other thins as well.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042407A.shtml

A good reason to go back to the paper ballot at election time.

[starleo146]

Thanks misha131 I am glad you told me that honestly I guess I should have known that it makes it even better getting 7 more republicans.

[j-whitman]

Wait a minute now,,,, The Office of Special Counsel, is ran by a Bush appointee ------- Isn't that like asking Charles Manson to investigate himself ???????

[annabanana-1]

Scott J. Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel and a presidential appointee,

Scott Bloch is NOT the man for the job!:

Senate panel members of both parties admonished Bloch for his handling this year of an internal reorganization in which 12 career employees were told that they would be involuntarily transferred to new assignments in Dallas; Oakland, Calif.; and a soon-to-opened field office in Detroit. Bloch initially gave the workers 10 days to accept the moves or be terminated, and he extended the deadline only after receiving complaints from some lawmakers. Several employee advocacy groups accused Bloch of targeting workers who had been critical of his management style -

Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch is under investigation by the Office of Personnel Management's inspector general because employees said he retaliated against those who disagreed with his policies. (By Lois The probe is the most serious of many problems at the agency since Bloch, a Kansas lawyer who served at the Justice Department's Task Force for Faith-based and Community Initiatives, was appointed by President Bush three years ago. Since he took the helm in 2004, staffers at the OSC, a small agency of about 100 lawyers and investigators, have accused him of a range of offenses, from having an anti-gay bias to criticizing employees for wearing short skirts and tight pants to work.

[misha131]

StarLeo -- FYI I believe there is a 2/3 requirement to override a veto 67 votes in the Senate. 60 votes is to force cloture -- to end a debate of fillibuster in the Senate.

[starleo146]

You want to see a change make sure the Republican senators in now are gone we need 60 and can override any veto. I am sick of these duds they want to bring integrity to the white house isn't that what Bush said. Give me a break.

[starleo146]

dallison7 you are exactly right this guy investigating is being investigated himself also he is a Bush appointee would you say it like sending the hen to investigate the hen house or something like that this is another cover up why can't we have a special prosecuter like they had over Clinton for 8 years I think they did away with that .

[realpatriot1]

booyaw,

I know the big boys,the big boys are friends of mine. You're no big boy.

[randalds]

I don't think Rove should be under a microscope. he should be under a magnifying glass. A really really big one like the kind little republicans use to burn ants up with on the sidewalks, except much bigger. About 10 feet above his bald head. On a really sunny day. Then follow the worthless as*s around all afternoon until the little insect is fried!

[booyaw_77]

You're dealing with the big boys now. The guys who ain't afraid to go to war. The guys who ain't afraid to say whats politically incorrect, but necessary for the country's national security. These people spit fire and drink Jesus juice. You guys just complain. Wah wah wah..

*do'in me break dance*

[vastr-wcon]

The head of the Office of Special Counsel, Scott J. Blochand, is a BushCheney appointee.

How stupid does one have to be to believe this will be a real investigation? It certainly will be "fair and balanced".

About 4 or 5 buckets of whitewash should do it.

[booyaw_77]

You snot nose perpetual complaining punks ain't got nut'n on Karl Rove. And its been like that for the past 6 years! Charge after charge.. law that never amounts to more than whining.

[dallison7]

The investigation will be led by Scott J. Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel and a presidential appointee. "We will take the evidence where it leads us," Bloch told the Times. "We will not leave any stone unturned."

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE????
IS THIS AN ATTEMPT BY THIS CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION TO THWART ANY CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS OF ROVE????

THIS SMELLS!!!

[crater7]

White House, Office of Special Counsel;

Ok folks, dont get your hopes up. This is just another Karl Rove-Bush trick. We will investigate our own administration, find no wrong doing by Rove, and Gonzo, Rice, Gates, Rummy , Scooter, and of course Di#k Stright Shooting Cheney, and The Cowboy, himself, the White House dog, Cat. That should cover everyone.
Wa-la, no need for any more Hearings.

[condumism]

The "unreported" Republicon Platform:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
15. Vigorous DENIAL of all of the above!