Roberts' role in recount is fuzzy to Bush

[kskiska]

Whether due to fading memories or a White House-imposed silence, few of those involved recall details about Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' advice to Gov. Bush during the 2000 recount.

TALLAHASSEE - As U.S. Supreme Court nominee John Roberts is scrutinized for everything from his judicial rulings to his abortion views, his role during one of the most memorable times in modern political history remains obscured by imperfect memories and White House-imposed secrecy.

Roberts was called to the state capital by Gov. Jeb Bush's office during the 2000 presidential election to advise the governor on his role in certifying the disputed results, which ultimately put Bush's brother in the White House.

But Bush doesn't even remember meeting Roberts, or for how long or any specifics about the discussion, a spokesman said Thursday. The office can't figure a date when the two met or who recommended Roberts, then an attorney with the global firm of Hogan & Hartson, to the governor.

''We had questions about the governor's constitutional requirements and he was recommended to us,'' said Bush spokesman Jacob DiPietre, adding that the governor couldn't recall details because the incident took place so long ago and constitutional lawyers from everywhere flocked to the Capitol.

more…
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12192612.htm

[tanyev]

1. Awww...selective amnesia.

A terrible disease that often afflicts those in positions of power.

[0007]

37. What a guy!!

In August 1994, a voter asked Jeb Bush what his administration would do to help the black community. His response (rather, two words of it) became an instant classic:
"We have elected people year after year that say, 'I'm going to do this for you,' '' Bush replied. 'Now it's time to strive for a society where there is equality of opportunity, not equality of results. <...> So I'm going to answer your question by saying, 'Probably nothing.' I think what we ought to do is to have a society where you go out and pursue your dreams and you're not punished.''

[BlueWolff]

2. Jeb is a BIG FAT LIAR

[bunkerbuster1]

29. Can we stop calling him "Jeb?" His name is John.

John Ellis Bush. The "Jeb" is a bullshit, I'm-a-regular-guy affectation that we shouldn't indulge.

John is a pampered prep-school brat, just like Dim Son.

[kskiska]

32. And he doesn't have that Texas twang

even though he was born there and has more of a claim to it than his brother.

[pfitz59]

40. An appeal to southern loyalties....

J.E.B. Stuart was famous rebel calvaryman. John Ellis Bush is infamous son of carpetbagger from Connecticut. The sheeple often confuse the two.

[bunkerbuster1]

41. And Jeb Stuart Macgruder was a hacktacular Nixon crony

perhaps it'd behoove us to point that out a little more often.

[bushisanidiot]

3. I love it when the 2000 recount is brought up in the news. it re-inforces

the fact that AWOL Bush was not "elected" and he had to cheat to win.

it's sweet that roberts is linked to that crime.. and i hope the media keeps talking about it.

[atommom]

4. I don't remember. I don't recall. I have no memory of anything,

anything at all!

It worked for Reagan (though I still can't figure out why)...

[Dhalgren]

9. Reminded me of this...

I Don't Remember

Peter Gabriel

I got no means to show identification
I got no papers show you what I am
You'll have to take me just the way that you find me
What's gone is gone and I do not give a damn
Empty stomach, empty head
I got empty heart and empty bed
I don't remember
I don't remember

I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything
-anything at all

Strange is your language and I have no decoder
Why don't you make your inentions clear
With eyes to the sun and your mouth to the soda
Saying, "Tell me the truth, you got nothing to fear
Stop staring at me like a bird of prey
I'm all mixed up, I got nothing to say
I don't remember
I don't remember

I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything
Anything at all

I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don't remember, I don't recall
i got no memory of anything
absolutely anything at all
I don't remember

[Midlodemocrat]

16. Because the guy had Alzheimer's.

Bush suffers from alcohol induced dementia.

[mandomom]

5. Did Judge Roberts have the proper law license for Florida?

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Did Roberts time and expenses get reported

has a campaign contribution?

(BTW: He wasn't a judge at the time)

2nd if Jeb had already recused himself, why did he need any more advise? This should been handled by the Lt. Gov.

[BrotherBuzz]

8. He was a member of the Federal Bar

:shrug:

[peekaloo]

7. Why do reporters even bother asking him anything?

[soup]

10. Gosh, peekaloo, isn't that obvious?

If they didn't ask, we wouldn't know what he didn't remember when his office refused to comment or couldn't be reached because it wasn't his job in the first place or had been assigned to someone else who retired to spend more time with their family. :crazy:

Clear enough now? :D :hi:

[peekaloo]

11. LOL

I'm so simple. :dunce:

:hi:

[Canuckistanian]

12. "He helped me win the election? Well, if you say so..."

Right.

[gauguin57]

13. 'Scuse me, but what ISN'T fuzzy to Bush?

The man is all fuzz, no substance.

[leesa]

14. Jeb also can't remember where he flew the flight school records...

and his Dad can't remember where he was the day Kennedy was shot. Is it the stress of being criminals?

[auburngrad82]

15. Remember, W denied knowing Ken Lay when Enron broke

Said he didn't really know the man, but you can find photos all over the internet of W with Lay.

[Supersedeas]

28. Mr. Roberts- can't say that we ever met but if we did-can't say when/where

Can't do that, ya know....can't tell.

[Betsy Ross]

17. "Bush doesn't even remember meeting Roberts, or for how long or any specif

Sounds like real presidential material.

[soup]

18. Wait a second here, wouldn't a big important guy like jeb

have an assistant, or secretary, to handle scheduling for him? Wouldn't there be records of meetings?

Not sure of the date, but here's a list of the 'Staff for Florida Governor Jeb Bush' which includes not only a director of scheduling, but an assistant director of scheduling:
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:VqYlI4hTss0J:www.nga.org/PrintGovStaff/1,1382,124,00.html+jeb+bush+director+of+scheduling&hl=en

Maybe a calendar (like today's) would be helpful in jogging a memory:

Governor
Jeb Bush's Calendar for
July 22, 2005

08:00 AM - 09:30 AM

* GOVERNOR'S WORK AND CALL TIME
Location: Governor's Office


09:30 AM - 10:00 AM

* MEETING WITH MARK KAPLAN
Location: Governor's Office


10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

* MEETING WITH PALLADIUM EQUITY PARTNERS
Location: Governor's Office


10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

* GOVERNOR'S WORK AND CALL TIME
Location: Governor's Office


12:30 PM - 04:30 PM

* BRAC COMMISSION HEARING
Location: Governor's Office (CDT)
http://fcn.state.fl.us/owa_myflorida/owa/myflorida_www.calendar_search.display_current_calendar

[redqueen]

19. Yes, there would be a record, which is probably already shredded.

They lie so much... how can anyone support these criminals?

[soup]

22. shredded or purged ala K. Harris' computers.

anger gives way to disgust which turns into frustration followed by - well, you get the picture.

Oh, and the Director of Scheduling in 2000 was (and still is) Tara Wainwright.

[UpInArms]

20. "White House-imposed secrecy"?????

Was a Gag Order issued?

Who/What was ordered silent?

[Rainscents]

21. Selective memories, Jeb?

[daleo]

23. Talk about a conflict of interest

There is no way a man who helped put Bush in the White House in a disputed vote count should be appointed to the Supreme Court. Among other things, it can be construed as a payoff.

[glitch]

39. These guys don't even want the appearance of propriety

it just encourages us.

[wli]

24. don't forget Iran-Contra

[Zorra]

25. It's the "Reagan Defense" again: "I don't recall". Republicans all use

this tactic when they are guilty of some crime, and are caught in their lies and corruption.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

44. Odd for a party that has an elephant as it's emblem.

"Well, it's a retarded elephant. See! We're the Big Tent party!"

[goforit]

26. What Bull Sh*t. A 'real Man' would say, He's a good friend of mine.

But noooooooooooooooo...............

Bush says I've never met the man in my life.

[warrens]

27. This is really reaching

I may not be happy with Roberts, but from what I can tell, he's WAY better than what I expected. Not everything Bush does is per se evil. I mean, he may have evil intentions, but he screws up once in a while, as with Plamegate. I hope the Dems give this guy a very thorough vetting, but are polite and diplomatic about it. Because the next guy might be a lot worse, and we should save our ammo for a real knuckle-dragger.

My question would be, is he really qualified? Reading his resume, it appears he is.

Unless there's something a lot more serious than this in his background, he's going to breeze through the Senate.

[54anickel]

30. Heh-heh, can you name me one thing that hasn't been?

Really, I can't think of a thing off the top of my head except maybe the daily SSS routine.

"Not everything Bush does is per se evil."

[robbedvoter]

45. Silly us, still bitching about stolen elections - not like it affected us

in any way. So what if the junta is consolidating power by rewarding their accomplices with positions of power where they can screw us more? The medja told you this guy is "way better than you expected" so you are OK with it.
Qualified? Qualified for what really? What kind of tests are the Soprano kids passing for advancement? More stringent I bet, because them, poor things have the government on their backs not working for them, covering their asses
How deluded can you be?(or expect us to be?)

[Voltaire99]

31. Fuzzy...just like the recount math.

What a pity so many Democrats in the Senate are preparing to collapse rather than fight this endorsement.

[HR_Pufnstuf]

33. Checkbooks and Balances

"John G. Roberts, Jr., the Hogan & Hartson partner nominated for the DC Circuit, also donated $1000 to Bush -- this really is starting to look like a cover charge -- with $3000 to other Republicans and $3900 to Hogan & Hartson's PAC. The PAC gave $136,000, aside from individual donations, and $30,000 in soft money. Roberts then donated $1000 to the Bush recount effort. Hogan & Hartson clients include Mobil Oil Corporation, 3M, and Hartford Accident & Indemnity."

Checkbooks and Balances

January 29, 2002

By Margie Burns

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/2002/01/012902_Checkbooks_and_Balances.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

34. That's not to mention the $80,000 Roberts spent in 2004

has a registered lobbyist for the Bush campaign. He was given an appointment to the Bush Transition Team for the favor.

[Judi Lynn]

35. Bush: It wasn't political with Roberts (Yep, still fuzzy for Jeb)

Posted on Sat, Jul. 23, 2005
JUDICIAL NOMINEE

Bush: It wasn't political with Roberts

Gov. Jeb Bush recalled a few details about a 2000 elections meeting with U.S. Supreme Court nominee John Roberts and insisted it wasn't political.

BY MARC CAPUTO AND GARY FINEOUT
[e-mail]

TALLAHASSEE - Breaking days of silence concerning the advice a current U.S. Supreme Court nominee rendered during the disputed 2000 elections, Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday that he couldn't recall many details but was certain ``it was not related to politics.''

Bush said he met with John Roberts, then an attorney, for about 30 minutes to help figure out his constitutional requirements to certify the elections that made his brother president, even as he attempted to distance himself from the fray.

Bush couldn't recall if they discussed the Legislature's planned intervention in the case or the names of electors that were to be sent to Washington.
(snip)

Bush wasn't certain who recommended Roberts, who apparently flew from Washington, D.C., to Tallahassee and paid his own way, rather than give the advice by telephone. Bush thought Roberts was recommended to his office by Roberts' close friend, Miami lawyer Dean Colson, but Colson couldn't recall whether he did or not. Roberts, now a federal appeals court judge, was nominated for the court Tuesday by President Bush.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/12203375.htm
(Free registration required)

[DoYouEverWonder]

36. Funny Jeb can't remember him well

Seems Roberts' firm got a fair bit of work from the State of FL after Roberts made that special trip down to help advise Jeb, after Jeb had recused himself.



Roberts was ''one of several experts who came to Florida to share their ideas,'' said spokesman Jacob DiPietre. Roberts came ``at his own expense and met with Gov. Bush to share what he believed the governor's responsibilities were under federal law after a presidential election and a presidential election under dispute.''

The reason that Roberts was tapped: His connection to Dean Colson, a lawyer with the Miami firm of Colson Hicks Eidson. Colson had been a clerk for Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist at the same time as Roberts in 1980 and was best man at Roberts' wedding. Brian Yablonski, who was then a top aide to the governor, worked at the Colson law firm before he went to work with Bush.

Since the recount, the ties between the firm where Roberts worked at the time, Hogan & Hartson, and Florida's government has grown deeper, as Hogan & Hartson has taken on several high-profile legal jobs in the state. The firm, for which Roberts worked from 1986 to 1989 and again from 1993 to 2003, represents and lobbies the Legislature for the Scripps Research Institute, which was given $500 million by state and local governments to set up an operation in Florida.

When Roberts came to Tallahassee in November 2000, he outlined for the governor the formal process that needed to be followed once the Florida popular vote was certified for Bush. At least one book documenting the period, Too Close to Call by journalist Jeffrey Toobin, said Bush strategists feared Gore attorneys would try to block the state from sending the ''certificate of ascertainment'' -- the list of electors -- to the National Archives. That book documents the elaborate lengths to which the governor's staff went to ensure that the certificate -- which said Bush had won -- was not subpoenaed by Democrats and stopped in its tracks.

DiPietre refused to answer questions on Roberts' role during the recount or why the governor talked to the attorney after his vow to recuse himself from the dispute.

http://heartsoulandhumor.blogspot.com/

[WhiteTara]

38. was he drunk at the time? eom

[DoYouEverWonder]

42. Jeb's drug of choice

is cocaine, at least back in the old days, when Jeb was an up and coming Miami real estate broker.

[GinaMaria]

43. I can't remember how long I didn't meet with him!

Bush doesn't even remember meeting Roberts, or for how long