Republicans Could Face New Ethics Probes

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans could face ethics investigations for contacting U.S. attorneys about pending cases, a jarring political development only four months after ethical lapses helped cost the GOP control of Congress.

Two veteran Republican lawmakers and a top GOP leadership aide contacted prosecutors who later were fired. All three denied wrongdoing.

~snip~

The Senate ethics committee already is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the call by Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., to a prosecutor in his state. The action was required once the committee received a complaint against Domenici from a congressional watchdog group.

The House's ethics panel has more discretion on starting an initial inquiry. But Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said there should be one. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., contacted the same prosecutor as Domenici.

more:http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6463234,00.html

[Lasher]

1. All this is pretty sinister

Nixon fired Archibald Cox but this is a widespread conspiracy to purge all US attorneys who might be inclined to enforce the law against Republicans.

[maddezmom]

2. some good links

McKay goes down fighting
By David Bowermaster and Alicia Mundy

WASHINGTON — John McKay insists he did not want to talk publicly about his abrupt dismissal as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington in December.

But when he testified before two congressional committees on Tuesday, McKay delivered a vigorous defense of his work and the performance of his office. He challenged the Justice Department's shifting explanations about why he was asked to resign.

He revealed that soon after the hotly contested 2004 governor's race in Washington state, the chief of staff to Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, called him to ask about the status of any federal investigations into voter fraud.


~snip~

Yet once the TV lights were off and the drama had ended for the day, it was still hard to identify exactly why the Department of Justice had fired McKay and seven other U.S. attorneys in December, let alone to determine whether the firings were justified.

more:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003605090_mckay07m.html?syndication=rss
pdf of a letter to Hastings:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2007/03/06/2003604079.pdf


Congressman Doc Hastings Accused in Federal Prosecutors' Resignations Case
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2757916

(Igelsias) Fired U.S. attorney: I felt 'leaned on'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2757053&mesg_id=2757053

WP: White House Backed U.S. Attorney Firings, Officials Say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2753627

Democrats send out first round of subpoenas
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2751829

[myrna minx]

7. Sinister is the perfect word to describe these despicable

acts.

[Lasher]

8. John Dean is right, this is quite a bit worse than Watergate

Nixon fired Archibald Cox but Junior is purging who knows how many Attorneys General who might not be pliable enough to suit his propaganda minister. Nixon wiretapped reporters and government people to find out who was leaking information about the illegal invasion of Cambodia. Junior's warantless NSA surveillance activities involve data mining of the whole nation, in outright defiance of the post-Nixon law that was specifically designed to prohibit exactly that. Nixon inherited the Vietnam war and lied about how soon he was going to get us out. Junior lied to the world in a calculated scheme to deceive us into going along with an unprovoked invasion of a nation that was no threat to us.

And on and on...

[Ian David]

3. Looks like we may get another seat in the senate!

Eat THAT, Joe LIEberman!

How does New Mexico decide who gets vacated seats?

[maddezmom]

4. I'm not sure how NM decides, but you've got to read this

GOP VIPs ponder David Iglesias fallout
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=266237

couple of good snips:

"If I was Heather Wilson, I'd be thinking about taking a long trip to Baghdad, where the conditions are a little more subdued," said former Gov. Dave Cargo.

Cargo, a Republican, was only half-joking.


Brutally parodying an episode last year in which Domenici was seen at his Capital Hill office wearing what were described as pajamas - Domenici said they were actually hunting pants - Farrauto said it was increasingly clear the venerable senator was vulnerable.

"Pajama Pete has lost his way," he said. "I'm not even sure he knows where New Mexico is anymore."

[rucky]

5. Pajama Pete

:rofl:

He's finally overstayed his welcome in NM.

[gratuitous]

6. I don't think anyone could have predicted that . . .

Well, who knew that personally calling a U.S. Attorney at his home would look like intimidation? You can't expect the Republicans to govern if you're going to take away all their most cherished tools of governance! When the small planes start going down, I guess we'll have no one but ourselves to blame.

[L. Coyote]

9. Mar. 10 Daily Impeachment News:

This discussion linked from:

Mar. 10 Daily Impeachment News: post high crimes and misdemeanor news here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x383208

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