Bush Withholds CIA Leak Records

President Claims Executive Privilege To Keep Congress From Seeing Cheney Interview Report In Plame Case

(AP)  President Bush invoked executive privilege to keep Congress from seeing the FBI report of an interview with Vice President Dick Cheney and other records related to the administration's leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity in 2003.

The president's decision drew a sharp protest Wednesday from Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of House Oversight Committee, which had subpoenaed Attorney General Michael Mukasey to turn over the documents.

"This unfounded assertion of executive privilege does not protect a principle; it protects a person," the California Democrat said. "If the vice president did nothing wrong, what is there to hide?"

Waxman left little doubt he would soon move for a committee vote to hold Mukasey in contempt of Congress.

Bush's assertion of privilege prevented Mukasey from complying with the House subpoena for records bearing on the unmasking of Plame at a time that the administration was trying to rebut criticism from her husband, former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, of Bush's rationale for going to war in Iraq.

Cheney's chief of staff in 2003, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was later convicted of perjury, obstruction and lying to the FBI about his role in leaking Plame's name and CIA affiliation to a reporter. Last July, Bush commuted Libby's 2½-year sentence, sparing him from serving prison time.

In grand jury testimony played at his trial, Libby acknowledged he told the FBI early in the Plame probe that "it's possible" he spoke to Cheney about whether to share information with reporters about Wilson's wife.

Other records sought by the House committee include notes about Bush's 2003 State of the Union address, during which he made the case for invading Iraq in part by saying Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was pursuing uranium ore in Africa to make a nuclear weapon. In the spring of 2003, Wilson claimed publicly that he had gone to Africa for the CIA to investigate the report and advised the administration it was false months before Bush cited it in the State of the Union speech.

Waxman held off an immediate contempt citation of Mukasey, but only as a courtesy to lawmakers not present Wednesday and to give all members a chance to read up on the matter. He made clear that he thinks Mukasey, who requested that Bush invoke executive privilege to shield the records, has earned a contempt citation.

"We'll act in the reasonable and appropriate period of time," Waxman said.

In a Tuesday letter to Bush, Mukasey said the assertion of the privilege would not be about hiding anything but rather protecting the separation of powers as well as the integrity of future Justice Department investigations of the White House. Several of the subpoenaed reports, Mukasey wrote, summarize conversations between Bush and advisers.

"I am greatly concerned about the chilling effect that compliance with the committee's subpoena would have on future White House deliberations and White House cooperation with future Justice Department investigations," Mukasey wrote Bush. "I believe it is legally permissible for you to assert executive privilege with respect to the subpoenaed documents, and I respectfully request that you do so."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., wrote to Mukasey later Wednesday suggesting that the attorney general should have recused himself from the dispute because he is the subject of the subpoena and he gave Bush advice about it.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Bush invoked the privilege on Tuesday.

The Bush administration had plenty of warning. Waxman said last week that he would cite Mukasey for contempt unless the attorney general complied with the subpoena. The House Judiciary Committee also has subpoenaed some of the same documents from Mukasey, as well as information on the leak from other current and former administration officials.

Congressional Democrats want to shed light on the precise roles, if any, that Bush, Cheney and their aides may have played in the leak.

State Department official Richard Armitage first revealed Plame's identity as a CIA operative to columnist Robert Novak, who used former presidential counselor Karl Rove as a confirming source for a 2003 article.

He better stonewall it, otherwise Scooter''l rat ''em out.

[forasongca]

This from the man who vowed to get to the bottom of the CIA leak case a couple of years ago and to fire whoever was responsible. He pardoned Libby, and now this. "Flip flop" doesn''t begin to cover it - how about "obstruction of justice?"

[singingrick]

Bush is a criminal and a traitor.

[l8c6]

"This unfounded assertion of executive privilege does not protect a principle; it protects a person," the California Democrat said. "If the vice president did nothing wrong, what is there to hide?" -----

Isn''t that what the right wing conservative with everyone but themselves global capitalists ask of american citizens who are wiretapped by the private corporate telecoms?-- What do they have to hide?

Bush once said, not all poor people are killers...just because a person is poor says Bush, doesn''t necessarily make them a killer. Now go shop.

[l8c6]

Bush has done true defenders of the american revolution a favor really. His unskillful ways have exposed the true intellectual autism of the right wing oligarchs who have been dismantling what made the western world great.

[lambor59]

B%u01B0sh, you are SOB for sure, we want to know how much tax dollars you have stolen from us, you bas...****.

[lambor59]

This A.hole Bush has too much to hide just like Ted Bundy or BTK killer, the people have the rights to know his crimes.NO PRIVILEGE FOR CROOKS.

[bron-yr-aur]

Why do Republicans continually support ilegal and immoral behavior?

[beehive21-2009]

Gee , Mr Bush ,everyone thinks you''ve sold the Americans people out , whats up ?

[lambor59]

Don''t let this crook ( Bush )get away with his crimes.

[lambor59]

4,5000 families of death soldiers should go out and sue Bush for his lies.

[lambor59]

I mean more than 4,500

[deacon20081]

Stone Walling is a favorite tactic in Washington these last 7 1/2 years or so. Does this news surprise anyone?
Be aware that should McCain be elected the administration will be given pardons for anything illegal or un-constitional they have done. Think about that when you vote.

[blitzder]

Another Bushism.

"These people have no disregard for human life"
Bush at the press conference this week.

[cyberus-2009]

Gawds I hope congress gets off their collective arses and does something to curb the abuse of "executive privilege" in the future

[donnie700-2009]

National Security is not obligated to the media.

[donnie700-2009]

In fact, with the things you guys talk about? Ranging from Britanny Spears and he lack of underwear all the way to terrorism? Its the only religion we have left..

[downtowner97]

%u201CAn evil exists that threatens every man, woman and child of this great nation. we must take steps to ensure our domestic security and protect our homeland.%u201D

George Bush quoting Adolph Hitler verbatim.

Why do Republicans continually support ilegal and immoral behavior?

Posted by bron-yr-aur
----------------------
BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN EXEMPTION! They are born to a more noble god than the rest of us. It''s so deeply. deeply programmed into them they''re not even concsious of it. They are members of the "elect" (to use a religious term).
Why do they see their political party as an "exclusive club"?
It is utterly natural for a republican to refuse to negotiate or talk with "objectionables".
Why do do you have to be pre-approved to attend a Bush speech.
Get a clue!
This is why FDR called ''em "economic royalists"!

[ajaxtheleast]

SO MAYBE YOU EXPECTED THIS TO
PRECIPITATE A SECOND EINSTEIN?

Dems don''t talk about it.

The public pretends it didn''t happen.

Repubs would just as soon not dwell
on the only thing that not only COULD
but DID get George Bush elected as
the President of the united states.

But now since it''s become recorded
histories'' most expensive one we
deserve the specifics.

(If we dont learn from the mistakes
of history we are doomed to
their repetition.)

Not getting caught in the oval office
in a below-the-desk job seems like it
should''ve been easy. , ,You''re the damm
President people knock before they enter!

We never DID hear the actual mechanics
of the discovery of this historical
presidential mistake that the next
president must learn from to avoid it''s
repetition by either locking the door
or whatever.

So what was the smoking gun?

**Did Bill lose a self video?

**Did repubs have a peephole to learn
what people of the opposite se*x do
when alone with each other?

**Did Bill talk in his varius beds
of sleep?

Curious: an almost prophetic equation
among Einstein''s papers , ,

"BC + ML BJ = GWB"

Posted by ajaxtheleast
---------------------
There''s gotta be room in there somewhere for the "RR".

Because now the "RR" plus "GWB" equals "BC" is a saint!
The "RR" is have one devil of a time grappling with that.

[neoconrcrazy]

this is the joker (president) that said he''d fire anyone in his administration involved with this treasonous act -

now he hides and protects these people behind "executive privledge" -


bushit is a coward and chickenhawk and he''s proved it again - and again - and again

[shanev137]

Bush is a basturd.

[oneworldusa]

Astounded, truly astounded. That''s all I can say right now.

[stn_sage]

prurient interest in Clinton''s sexcapades
Posted by ajaxtheleast at 02:53 AM : Jul 17, 2008
------------------------
My response:

1. I don''t know which group of whining neocon supporters I dislike more; those who refuse to acknowledge ANY of Bush''s constant mistakes, failures, and crimes, or those who want to relive the ''glory days'' of their discovery of Clinton''s private sexcapades with Lewinsky!? To both I say, GROW UP!

2. Your country is constantly being harmed by a man who acts against the law, and you want to discuss the former president and his private *** life?! Your priorities are really messed up!

3. If I were you, I''d get my head ''out of the sand'' and deal with the immediate subject at hand!

4. There seems to be a lot of neocons worried about how much Clinton ''is getting''! It smacks a lot of jealousy! If you guys got laid more often you wouldn''t be so fixate on Clinton''s *** life. Shame on you!

[closethippy1]

How convenient for these two m''f''rs to claim the right to spy on anyone without a court order and at the same time keep everything they do secret.
The hypocrisy of these two stooges is simply unreal.

More dishonesty from GW Bush and his corrupt bunch of Republicanazis.

If he has nothing to hide, then why is he hiding it?

Even the GW Bush arse kissers must be able to see that.

If there were any real patriots in the Republican Party, they''d reveal those documents.

[donnie700-2009]

I get something else from this story. I get that Bush and his administration was always right. I don''t know why I do.. it could be a schizophrenic hallucination. But I see this thing as a partisan stunt, willfully and knowingly violating the principles of national security for the sake of being a showboat.

[stn_sage]

My comments on this subject are as follows:

1. Mukasey has acted unethically---if not illegally by advising Bush to use executive privilege to prevent him from having to forward the requested document! This is OUTRAGEOUS misconduct!

2. Bush has violated the law by misusing executive privilege in order to IMPEDE or otherwise OBSTRUCT an ongoing investigation!

3. Henry Waxman, has failed to act promptly to MAKE Mukasey comply! Time is of the essence in these matters, his foot-dragging necessarily will result in all parties NOT being held responsible for their misdeeds! He needs to be replaced as cmte chairman!

4. What D.C. insiders know is this, Cheney apparently engineered the smear of Valerie Pflame, and he said something incriminating in his FBI interview. Mukasey, Bush, and Waxman are all acting to cover it up; Mukasey & Bush directly, and Waxman indirectly!

5. Cheney, Mukasey, and Bush need not worry much about the consequences, because the Democrats are FAILING to act in opposition to them, and hold them accountable to the law!

6. If the public WANTS Cheney held responsible for his actions, THEY''LL have to act. First, by voting Waxman, Schumer, Feinstein, Pelosi, and other ''foot-draggers'' out of office! Then, making to clear to new leaders to move forward and take action! Otherwise, nothing is going to get done!

[donnie700-2009]

You know whats wrong with you people? Here''s whats wrong with you people: You aren''t ''rhetoric savy''. National Security is on a different playing field than this sort of thing. It doesn''t belong here. Now.. go have yer election while we run the country.

[cyberus-2009]

----
If there were any real patriots in the Republican Party, they''''d reveal those documents.

Posted by mcdazz
----
They had better be true patriots to do that .. because I am quite sure W would have them "thrown in the dungeon" for aiding the terrorists

[donnie700-2009]

I had a national security clearance. I know.. You can''t even bounce a check with a national security clearance, let alone have affair wit chicks. And believe you me, they wanted me.

[donnie700-2009]

I bounced 6 checks.. cry''n.. in front''a my first shirt. "I didn''t know, first shirt! I didn''t know!"

Its a whole other ballgame.

[jazz_jeff2]

187 days to go till the end of war criminals Bush and Cheney. It can''t come soon enough.

[bobgee_1999]

donnie700:

Oooh, neato. Did you have a double-O rating, and wristwatch camera, too?

[Gary Kempf]

Another act by Bush to demonstrate to all he is untouchable.......Waxman, You better grow, borrow, or rent some balls. Nail them, or start submitting your resume..... Because if you can''t do this job, you need to be voted out!!!

[woodjd42]

Has there ever been a more corupt administration int the whitehouse than this one? I think not. Nixion was an angel comparte to bush/chaney. For that matter mafia bosses are angels conpared to these two. How anyone can defend anything about this administration is beyound me.

[neoconrcrazy]

the only advantage all these "presidential privileges" have is

we won''t have to hear a mile long list of "presidential pardons"

the bums will soon be out and hopefully in courts the rest of their blood-stained lives.

[formrusmcsgt]

After pledging to root out malfeasants and see them punished, Bush again proves himself to be a consummate liar by letting Cheney off the hook.

Posted by psy_war at 06:29 AM : Jul 17, 2008

Remember Bush''s promise in 2000 to "restore dignity" to the White House?

The ultimate bait-and-switch......

[ahrats]

Mr. Bush can only protect Mr. Cheny for 5-6 more months then he has no exective privalige. the present administration will surly pardon Mr. Cheny but it will be out of office. Mr. Cheny better hope the republicans win the election, democrats I hope will cook his goose, pardon pheasant. Any care to go hunting with Mr. Cheny.

[clestes-2009]

Although shrub brought all this trouble on himself with everything from poor to outright calamatis decision making, he still defends the person co-responsible for his troubles.

You will never convince me that he thought up all these decisions himself. Although a willing party and certainly full of halfbaked ideas himself, he was led along by others, Cheney in particular.

Both of them can be resign to the halls of the great failures of history.

I know that shrub is hopes that history takes a kinder view of him, much like Harry Truman, it is not only Iraq that will plague him, but the firing of the attornies, the law breaking, ID and schools, religion and schools, PlameGate and a host of other illegal and nefarious activities.

[dowjones20k]

HAHAH Henry Waxman is rebuffed???? and goofs wonder why they dems put him in this position he is a nutjob ..

This is all nothing more than political grandstanding .. ask Kucinich ... who has proposed impeachment articles on the house floor 35 times ... and failed to get any traction ..... HAHAHAHA

Dems are just really good liars .. they are not going to do anything but cover thier crooked counterparts and collegues ... and try to pander to the goofs who think they are any better than any other career politician ...

Another political grandstanding event .. with a little red meat ...

VOTE THEM ALL OUT !!!!

[nssherlock1]

I hope they nail this little worm to the wall!

[dowjones20k]

Any care to go hunting with Mr. Cheny.

Posted by ahrats

Saw a bumper sticker ...

Rather go hunting with *** Cheney ...
Than for a drive on the vineyard with Teddy Kennedy ..

HAHAHAHA

Now thats some funny Sh*& !!! and true too ..

[oregon1824]

You actually think they could make them produce the documents? Oops! Watch them magically disappear due to a secretarial error! It has happened before already with this administration. How many days until Bush is out? It can''t come too soon!

[shameonbush]

The Bush regime has no regard at all for the law. They must think that they can do anything they want. You know, come to think of it,they really have been able to get by with everything, from the moment they cheated their way into the White House, they have been guilty of the most despicable crimes, yet they have not even been impeached.

[mcvet]

Posted by dowjones20k at 06:51 AM : Jul 17, 2008

Just exactly HOW is this Political Grandstanding? As I read the Constitution this is EXACTLY what Waxman and the rest of Congress is supposed to be doing. Would you explain to all of us how YOU view the REQUIREMENTS of that Constitution for OVERSIGHT is supposed to be enforced IF the Committees can''t obtain the necessary documents? It''s long been known that YOU fascist do NOT like the Constitution but it is a FACT and it does exist. The people who need to be voted out of office is the LEADER of the Republican Party along with all those who supported their Incompetence and Failure to do their Constitutional Duty. Sieg Heil Bush

[harpoot]

That''s news??? The Bushit regime has absolutely no respect for any laws that go against what they want to pull off. Lying, cheating war criminals all - relected by the US citizenry. America has the government they deserve.

[bluestardad]

WAR CRIMES TRIALS ARE COMING FOR BUSH AND HIS NEOCON FRIENDS!

NOW OR LATER BUT IT WILL HAPPEN...