Contempt Citations For Rove, Bolten

(CBS/AP)  The Senate Judiciary Committee voted for a contempt citation against presidential confidants Karl Rove and Josh Bolten on Thursday, the latest move in an inquiry into possibly politically motivated firings of U.S. prosecutors.

The 12-7 vote sent the citation against the two to the full Senate, but it was not certain to advance further.

Rove, the architect of President Bush's two campaigns for the White House, and Bolten, the president's chief of staff, have refused to comply with subpoenas demanding testimony and documents in the congressional probe.

Rove, who recently left government, and Bolten claim the information Congress demands is off-limits under executive privilege. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate dispute that.

Presidents from both parties have invoked executive privilege, arguing that close aides will not give them their best advice if they know they might have to appear before Congress under oath.

The Senate Judiciary Committee vote means that contempt citations against Bush administration officials await floor action in both chambers of Congress.

It is not clear they will advance any further.

Even if the citations receive floor votes, the issue likely would land in federal courts in a drawn-out constitutional showdown over what White House information should be made available for congressional oversight.

Any court proceedings would almost certainly survive the Bush administration, which ends in January 2009.

The White House denounced the citations, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Knoller. Press Secretary Dana Perino said it shows Democrats are more interested in headlines than serious legislation since President Bush is claiming executive privilege over testimony by Rove and Bolten.

Perino said contempt citations are a futile and purely political act.

Lawmakers of both parties say Congress should not threaten to cite someone with contempt and not follow through.

"I vote for the contempt citations knowing that it's highly likely to be a meaningless act," Sen. Arlen Specter, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. "In this context we have no alternative."

Specter and Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican, joined 10 Democrats to report the citation to the full Senate. All seven no votes came from Republicans.

The House's contempt citations name Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, who also refused to testify. Leaders of that chamber had planned a floor vote since September and say it is still possible.

Congress is expected to adjourn next week until January.

[forthepeopl1]

the BUSH/CHENEY DOCTRIN believes in a one-world order and the destruction of the United States. In order to do that he must get the press, the Congress and all his little social progressive MoveOn morons to help him destroy the country. Then he can institute his New World Order.

[mudrose-2009]

Now, maybe you can understand why the Greaseball Clinton gave our technology to China. He believed in the doctrine of multi-polarity. Why don''t you go look it up. He''s a Soros man. And all you little nitwits don''t even know that you are all spewing his talking points. Love Bushy! 37% and rising. Hahahahha. The Congress is in the tank and you can thank President Soros and the talking point he gives to President Harry and Nancy Pewlosi.

[mudrose-2009]

In an interview with The Washington Post on November 11, 2003,[21] Soros said that removing President George W. Bush from office was the "central focus of my life" and "a matter of life and death." He said he would sacrifice his entire fortune to defeat President Bush, "if someone guaranteed it", and many continue to state this as Soros''''s position even after Soros clarified the humorous nature of the statement in a Q&A session at the end of his March 3, 2004 address to California''''s Commonwealth Club.

Soros gave $3 million to the Center for American Progress, committed $5 million to MoveOn, while he and his friend Peter Lewis each gave America Coming Together $10 million. (All were groups that worked to support Democrats in the 2004 election.) On September 28, 2004 he dedicated more money to the campaign and kicked off his own multi-state tour with a speech: Why We Must Not Re-elect President Bush[22] delivered at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
Posted by simonsez40

Of course he would. He believes in a one-world order and the destruction of the United States. In order to do that he must get the press, the Congress and all his little social progressive MoveOn morons to help him destroy the country. Then he can institute his New World Order.

[simonsez40]

BUSH at 37% - that is laughable - what poll are you reading the one up your arse?

[simonsez40]

George Soros - disdains Bush - sounds like a smart guy to me!

In an interview with The Washington Post on November 11, 2003,[21] Soros said that removing President George W. Bush from office was the "central focus of my life" and "a matter of life and death." He said he would sacrifice his entire fortune to defeat President Bush, "if someone guaranteed it", and many continue to state this as Soros''s position even after Soros clarified the humorous nature of the statement in a Q&A session at the end of his March 3, 2004 address to California''s Commonwealth Club.

Soros gave $3 million to the Center for American Progress, committed $5 million to MoveOn, while he and his friend Peter Lewis each gave America Coming Together $10 million. (All were groups that worked to support Democrats in the 2004 election.) On September 28, 2004 he dedicated more money to the campaign and kicked off his own multi-state tour with a speech: Why We Must Not Re-elect President Bush[22] delivered at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

[simonsez40]

Nothing like Leaky Leahy, Harry Reid and Nancy Pewlosi. All George Soros''''s puppets. That''''s why the Congress can''''t get anything done, they''''re infected with Bush Derangement Syndrome. Oh, BTW did you know that Bush''''s approval rating is now 37%, while Congress approval is still 11% and declining?


Posted by mudrose

They won''t get anything done because sleazy Bush is going to VETO and Threaten any bill that might actually be presented that mirrors what most Americans want........you do ONLY WATCH FOX NEWS HUH?

Ann Coulter fan no doubt...........I''ll stick with Lou Dobbs!

[mudrose-2009]

Put Rove out of OUR MISERY! This guy is a sleaze bag like his crony Bush!
Posted by simonsez40

Nothing like Leaky Leahy, Harry Reid and Nancy Pewlosi. All George Soros''s puppets. That''s why the Congress can''t get anything done, they''re infected with Bush Derangement Syndrome. Oh, BTW did you know that Bush''s approval rating is now 37%, while Congress approval is still 11% and declining?

[simonsez40]

Put Rove out of OUR MISERY! This guy is a sleaze bag like his crony Bush!

[mudrose-2009]

They will just tell congress to f^@koff and congress will drop it. Congress has stopped representing the taxpayers a long time ago.
Posted by trillion1

Maybe then Chairman Mao Leahy can appoint some judges. There are 42 vacant judicial seats across the country. But that doesn''t concern Leaky Leahy. In the interest of justice this guy''s a putz.

[trillion1]

They will just tell congress to f^@koff and congress will drop it. Congress has stopped representing the taxpayers a long time ago.