Bush Fires First Shot At Congress

Invokes Executive Privilege To Deny Congress Testimony From Aides In Prosecutor Firing Probe

(CBS/AP)  President Bush invoked executive privilege Monday to deny requests by Congress for testimony from two former aides about the firings of federal prosecutors.

The White House, however, did offer again to make former counsel Harriet Miers and one-time political director Sara Taylor available for private, off-the-record interviews.

The latest move in the separation of powers fight between the legislative and executive branches came as members of Congress began returning from their Fourth of July recess. An atmosphere of high tension accompanied the resumption of work as a fight also loomed there between majority Democrats and some key Republicans and Mr. Bush over his Iraq war policy.

In a letter to the heads of the House and Senate Judiciary panels, White House counsel Fred Fielding insisted that Mr. Bush was acting in good faith and refused lawmakers' demand that the president explain the basis for invoking the privilege.

"You may be assured that the president's assertion here comports with prior practices in similar contexts, and that it has been appropriately documented," the letter said.

Retorted House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers:

"Contrary what the White House may believe, it is the Congress and the courts that will decide whether an invocation of executive privilege is valid, not the White House unilaterally," the Michigan Democrat said in a statement.

The exchange Monday was the latest step in a slow-motion legal waltz between the White House and lawmakers toward eventual contempt-of-Congress citations. If neither side yields, the matter could land in federal court.

In his letter regarding subpoenas the Judiciary panels issued, Fielding said, "The president feels compelled to assert executive privilege with respect to the testimony sought from Sara M. Taylor and Harriet E. Miers."

Fielding was responding to a 10 a.m. EDT deadline set by the Democratic chairmen, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, for the White House to explain its privilege claim, prove that the president personally invoked it and provide logs of which documents were being withheld.

As expected, Fielding refused to comply. He said he was acting at Mr. Bush's direction, and he complained that the committees had decided to enforce the subpoenas whether or not the White House complied.

"The committees have already prejudged the question, regardless of the production of any privilege log," Fielding wrote. "In such circumstances, we will not be undertaking such a project, even as a further accommodation."

The privilege claim on testimony by former aides won't necessarily prevent them from appearing under oath this week, as scheduled.

Leahy said that Taylor, Mr. Bush's former political director, may testify as scheduled before the Senate panel on Wednesday. The House Judiciary Committee scheduled Miers' testimony for Thursday, but it was unclear whether she would appear, according to congressional aides speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were under way.

[rjstolba]

You gotta love us Democrats. We are focused if nothing else. Just look at our political strategy--GET BUSH, GET BUSH------. Forget about all those despicable Republican actions we were going to fix. That's right, the ones we told the American public we were going to change. This is more important. Remember my Democratic reps, 2008 is coming fast and a Republican might once again reside in the White House.

[radiob-2009]

Perhaps most significantly, there is now debate inside the administration about whether to begin pulling out troops a lot earlier than previously expected, CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports


You mean like in late August or early September of this year?As has been reported months ago!


Sources in Washington, the Gulf and Baghdad report that Cheney is bringing the news to the Middle East rulers that Washington will make its decision in the second half of August and an evacuation will begin shortly thereafter.


Iraq is in the process of breaking up into three autonomous or independent entities: Shiite Muslim in the south %u2013 under Tehran%u2019s aegis; Sunni Arab in the center and west, backed and massively funded by Riyadh; and a Kurdish entity in the north, under US patronage and a magnet for heavy American, Turkish, Israeli and, more recently, Iranian investment.

According to our military sources in Iraq, the objectives of the current US military effort go beyond securing central government in Baghdad and stemming sectarian hostilities; the troops are engaged in an all-out drive to prevent the rise of a fourth entity ruled by al-Qaeda in the western Anbar province.

[radiob-2009]

This is more important. Remember my Democratic reps, 2008 is coming fast and a Republican might once again reside in the White House.
Posted by rjstolba


Very possible if Bush pulls this rabbit out of the hat that has been reported.Although like the Democrats the Republicans do not have any candiate worthy of a single vote.

[brianbwb-2009]

A reminder to the Democrats, Bush just "punked you out" calling you ineffective, and unwilling to do thee jobs for which you were elected.

So far he is correct, the fact that he is still in office, rather than in jail waiting for the firing squad, and worse, basically calling you "chickensh*t beeitches" with a grin is proving him right.

How much longer will you let him be correct?

[pepperp1]

Congress, equal justice under law either means something or it doesn't.

[lars008-2009]

SHOCKING%u2026 DEMONIC-RATS BREAK CAMPAIGN PLEDGE%u2026

Dems bend rules, break pledge
Democrats are wielding a heavy hand on the House Rules Committee, committing many of the procedural sins for which they condemned Republicans during their 12 years in power.

So far this year, Democrats have frequently prevented Republicans from offering amendments, limited debate in the committee and, just last week, maneuvered around chamber rules to protect a $23 million project for Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.).

On Wednesday, Democrats suggested changing the House rules to limit the minority's right to offer motions to recommit bills back to committee -- violating a protection that has been in place since 1822.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4046.html

what campaign promise%u2026..lol
Gas prices on steady rise despite campaign promises
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070402-113111-8038r.htm

[forthepeopl1]

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS WHAT SHEEHAN IS DOING. IN EVERY STATE THAT HAS DEMS AND REPS UP FOR RE-ELECTION A-I- SHOULD COME OUT AND SAY GO AHEAD AND DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS CRIME FAMILY NOW AND PUT THEM IN JAIL, OR YOU WILL BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE..

[panhandlpete]

No matter who gets voted in or out, this country will continue to send its young people around the world to support the "war machine." The so-called al-Qaeda group, with no country or membership list, seems to evoke fear in just the sound of the name. The mightiest military power in the world up against a purported enemy on the ground, and yet, cannot win! There cannot be victory or an end when the battle is against an ideology.

Conyers said a recent poll of voters showed that 58% were in favor of impeachment against Cheney and 49% against Bush. Get busy DEMS and try, even if you don't succeed, the REPUBS will have to face the voters in their districts. If you don't, then you will have to face the voters with a record of "failing to do what the public put you in office to do."

[tuckerndfw]

Memo to congress:

Here's how you get the Repubs to cooperate:

STOP passing legislation.

You don't need their help to do that, so quit whining about "not having enough votes" and start doing your jobs.

[realpatriot1]

tuckerndfw,

Passing legislation that Bush can veto is the same as doing nothing. Trying to find consensus and pressuring the Republicans to do the same is a better approach.

The troops in harms way don't need symbolism, they need results.

[omega39-2009]

Passing legislation that Bush can veto is the same as doing nothing. Trying to find consensus and pressuring the Republicans to do the same is a better approach.
Posted by realpatriot1

Realpatriot1, there are a lot of games played in Congress and this is one of them. The Democrats know they don't have the votes to bring the troops home, but by getting the Republicans to repeatedly vote to keep them in harms way, that could be very damaging come election time in a country that by a large majority favors a withdrawal.

[condumism]

Posted by rushman71

How ironic your name is, even though that is an American term, what you said is 100% Un-American!!!

You Nazi's have no room to talk about "Un-American." You PIGS are bought and paid for by Corporate America, the number one reason that the USA goes to war over lies! How low can you Southern Nazi lover's go?

[pepperp1]

Memo to congress:

Here's how you get the Repubs to cooperate:

STOP passing legislation.

You don't need their help to do that, so quit whining about "not having enough votes" and start doing your jobs.


Posted by tuckerndfw at 08:49 AM : Jul 09, 2007

LOL, to funny and true, Congress that will give you time for hearings on the Traitor Libby faux pardon and the Neo Conservative anti American Interest wing of the GOP.

[rplat]

I see . . . and just when is that gaggle of professional snake oil sellers in congress going to do something constructive for the nation. Those leftist yo-yos are beyond disgust.

[huskerarmy]

and just when is that gaggle of professional snake oil sellers in congress going to do something constructive for the nation. Those leftist yo-yos are beyond disgust.
Posted by rplat
Just as soon as there are enough votes to override the veto or a president that is empathetic. In other words, just as soon as your gaggle of corporate stooges is run out of town.

[likeitis5050]

OMG!! They will 'battle' Bush over something this idiotic. Bush is an idiot and will not reverse course...battling with an idiot gets no one anywhere. And they know this...it just keeps them from doing something really worth while. Bush is going to do anything he can to keep focus off the serious issues and they are falling for his c..r..a..p hook line and sinker!! Parasites.

[pepperp1]

Congress to the Shrub...BRING IT ON! Not enough votes ok move on.

[britishspy]

You guys should really get alife!

Congress can do not much against Mr. president!

Bush rule the world and Bush rule America , now its time for you guys to get it clear and stop complaining!

And there is nothing for congress to do!

[drummer94]

You know, the real sad part of all this stuff we find ourselves in, is this very headline. "Congress to battle Bush." Whether your a left, right, middle, or none of the above, look at what we have become. Our country is fading fast and no one, I mean no one, is willing to stop the slide for fear of losing some supposed position. Sigh.

[inventagod]

An oil invasion gone bad, gaping holes in Homeland Security, failed domestic policies and coming indictments at the White House doors.
This lame-duck president would do well to assure re-election for his supporters, but he never will. Those Republicons on Bu$h's coat-tails will soon find it was all about Dubya...

[olebd]

Whether your a left, right, middle, or none of the above, look at what we have become. Our country is fading fast and no one, I mean no one, is willing to stop the slide for fear of losing some supposed position. Sigh.
Posted by drummer94 at 09:59 AM : Jul 09, 2007

You are so right. And there are no real leaders anymore who have the nuts and the smarts to step up to get the momentum going to change things.

[clestes-2009]

Let the fun begin! Dubya has run roughshod over Congress, the American people, and the Constitution way tooooo long.

Time to put his stupid a.s.s on the hot seat and grill the truth out of the worm.

Add Cheney to that hot seat too.

[drummer94]

inventagod: We only get 7% of oil from Iraq. Yes, president Chen,er, Bush wants all the profits for themselves. "Homeland Security?" A mis-nomer for sure. People hate Americans so much now, someone is either going to slip through the net, or is already here. History will be the judge as to whether this failed administration should be remembered, or just forgotten like a bad taste in your mouth.

[gracchus1]

Alright, now the gloves come off! I agree with clestes, let the fun begin! It is time to kick a Texan's *** around the Hill!

[terrapin78]

The question in my mind is how long are the Repug's in Congress going to continue to protect Dumbya's azz?

I believe that the longer that they protect these corrupt criminals (Bu$h/Cheney), the smaller their numbers will be in January 2009, when Congress re-convenes after the election. The American public is aware that they are Bu$hes enablers!

So I say to the Repugs, go ahead and hang yourselves over YOUR leader now and you will never be influential as a Party again.

[setumstrt9]

While they're looking at questionable pardons, they should look at Slick Willies. He had a few before he left office. They were much worse than this Libby deal.

[drummer94]

Oh come ON setumstrt9- apples and oranges. Why do ya think this scooter deal was a commute instead of a pardon? 'Cause now scoot doesn't have to answer any questions pertaining to anything. If he was pardoned, he would. Get off Clinton.

[davidchery]

The word in this article that keeps disturbing me the most is "strategy". There really was strategy involved in the old days, you know, like where your soldiers would all line up on the hillside to shoot and be shot at. However, when the richest nation in the world with the biggest military machine in the world needs a strategy to win a war against a little country in the desert, someone is lying. I'll give you a strategy: Mow it down to the sand, or don't go!
We're going to get your weapons, we're going to liberate Iraq, we're going to spread democracy,
all of it insane! When you declare war, you need to say one thing and one thing only: We're comin', and hell's comin' with us. We are going to kill you! In what we are involved in now, there is no answer. The politicians are now all just jibber-jabbering. They don't have the answer.

[j-whitman]

A bucket of hot tar & a bag of feathers is what's called for in these instances. --- Old Fashioned Grass Roots Politics

[v_1618]

TODAY I HEAR A NEWS ABOUT THAT AL QAEDA WARNED IRAN ABOUT A WAR AGAINST THEM IF THEY STILL BACKING SHIA SO IF I'M NOT STUPID THEN WHY THE HELL THE UNITED STATES ARE AGAINST IRAN AND AL QAEDA AT THE SAME TIME.. THIS IS BIZARRE. IS NOT LOGIC SEEMS THAT THE CIA ORG. THEY DON'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO. OR SOMETHING IS MISSING THIS CAN'T BE TRUE IN THE WAR LIFE CAN'T BE 3 SIDES. SOMETHING'S MISSING ..

[liberalme]

If there were nothing to be afraid of, Massa George would have no problem letting anyone testify!

Keep on them Dems--get these lying terrorists out of Washington.!

[aaabee-2009]

Never doubt your own vote. Ban paperless voting.

http://pol.moveon.org/paperlessvoting/

[mimi611]

Serve a warrant, have him arrested, and immediately begin impeachment and criminal charges. We've about had enought of His Maj. Bush.

[gracchus1]

j-whitman and Mimi611,

I agree. Well-stated.

[davidchery]

The Libby deal is Bush/Cheney covering themselves. It's what they had to do. Why do people continue comparing this to Clinton's pardons? All presidents do these things. But Clinton had us in a pretty good position in the world. This president has thrown away all of that. With what's going on now, to look back a few years and think they impeached a president of the U.S. over a little fling with an intern is pathetic! Bush had a chance to unite the entire world after 9/11 and he squandered it by invading Iraq. Now everyone is beginning to see what kind of people we have running the White House.

[pared1]

Bush is such a f&cktard. IMPEACH!!!!!!!!!!

[neoconnie]

Well at least he's not diddling an intern like Clinton did.

That's the most important thing.

[drummer94]

"Bush fires first shot?" There's that Fielding guy again. Loony-toon just gets led around by his nose ring. Kinda like the queen, huh? lol

[drummer94]

neoconnie. Maybe he should be "diddling an intern." Hopefully no genes will be passed on though. How do you say desperation? " BUT, BUT, Bill Clinton did...." Sheesh.

[rharrin1]

They were much worse than this Libby deal.
Posted by setumstrt9 at 10:18 AM : Jul 09, 2007

And none of them were close to treasonous acts. Open your eyes

[ubrew12]

From another article: "Half a year - from May 2006 to late January of 2007 - went by filled with reports that Libby's lawyers were going to put Cheney under oath on the witness stand. Even Cheney himself said in a January 2007 interview with Wolf Blitzer: "I'm going to be a witness in that trial within a matter of weeks, I'm not going to discuss it." Suddenly, in the second week of February, 2007, Scooter Libby decided to lie down and let the steamroller of the criminal justice system roll all over him. He wouldn't ask Rove or Cheney to testify. He wouldn't call other witnesses from within the White House. His lawyer wasn%u2019t going to bring up the Cheney memo [which implicated the President] again. Libby wouldn't even take the stand in his own defense... From a legal defense point of view it made no sense. It was almost as if Libby didn't care if he was convicted or not."

We know now, of course, why he didn't care.

Quid pro quo...

[wogerwabbit]

This is not executive privilege, this is a criminal trying to cover his tracks.

[drummer94]

What's that burning over there? Oh, it's just the constitution.

[ubrew12]

Orin Hatch: "There comes a point where the White House has to say, 'Hey. look there are certain confidential things in the White House that we're not going to share with Congress,"'

He added: "and, thanks to warrantless wiretapping, there's NOTHING the little people do that isn't shared with the White House"

[micma-2009]

Placing yourself above the law is not an "executive privilege".

[rharrin1]

Well at least he's not diddling an intern like Clinton did.

That's the most important thing.
Posted by neoconnie at 10:39 AM : Jul 09, 2007

Not as long as gannon can stay overnight in the white house!!!!!!!!!

[condumism]

GOPigs: USA's Military Industrial Complex Party
GOPigs: Practices the Ideology of Fascism
GOPigs: Bought and paid for by CORPORATE AMERICA!
GOPigs: a Regional Southern Party
GOPigs: #1 reason USA dependent on foreign oil.
GOPigs: Policies create the SUV!
GOPigs: Marijuana the same drug as Heroin.
GOPigs: No oversight of BIG TOBACCO!
GOPigs: Alcohol GOOD, marijuana BAD!
GOPigs: JUST SAY NO TO STEM CELLS RESEARCH!
GOPigs: the NEOCON NUTT CASE party!
GOPigs: "PEDOPHILES R US"
GOPigs: the "WE HATE YOUR FREEDOM" party
GOPigs: US Constitution only a piece of paper
GOPigs: Cronyism over competence!
GOpigs: 40 % prefer Nazi style GOV.
GOPigs: Hillary Clinton fvcked Bill Clinton.
GOPigs: Support needless Military bases across USA!
GOPigs: Perjury/Obstruction of Justice Party!
GOPigs: Avg. IQ of 89!
GOPigs: Privitize Social Securuty!
GOPigs: $8.9 TRILLION National Debt!
GOPigs: $500 BILLION annual Interest on US Debt.
GOPigs: the FOX FAKE News channel Party
GOPigs: NO Bid Contract Party
GOPigs: LLC (Limited Liablity Corporation) Zero Accountability Corporation!
GOPigs: USA's FRAUD, WASTE and ABUSE Party!
GOPigs: the one issue voter party.
GOPigs: the me, myself, and I party
GOPigs: Illegal Wiretaps of American's
GOPigs: Israel over America Party
GOPigs: FEAR MONGERING Party
GOPigs: Contempt for the Laws of the USA
GOPigs: War on the American People

[nottellin1]

We may as well admit it, all our current legislators suck, political careers have ruined this country. It is time that America stopped thinking and voting party lines. Does anyone know what Dem and Rep even stand for anymore? Thinking Americans need to start voting with their brains, not with their party.

[terrapin78]

IMPEACH the Prez and VP!

[wadyaknow]

The Democrats better wake up or and at least begin impeachment hearings or a lot of us will not vote for them. Hey Nancy Pelosi - I live in Baltimore and know your family. I'll let Tommy III know that you will lose to Cindy Sheehan unless you DO SOMETHING. Maybe you'll get the message that route.