Ashcroft's Conflict of Interest Gets Worse

[Terran]

NY Times story

Attorney General Is Closely Linked to Inquiry Figures
2 hours, 43 minutes ago

By ELISABETH BUMILLER and ERIC LICHTBLAU The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 Deep political ties between top White House aides and Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) have put him into a delicate position as the Justice Department (news - web sites) begins a full investigation into whether administration officials illegally disclosed the name of an undercover C.I.A. officer.

Karl Rove, President Bush (news - web sites)'s top political adviser, whose possible role in the case has raised questions, was a paid consultant to three of Mr. Ashcroft's campaigns in Missouri, twice for governor and for United States senator, in the 1980's and 1990's, an associate of Mr. Rove said on Wednesday.

Jack Oliver, the deputy finance chairman of Mr. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, was the director of Mr. Ashcroft's 1994 Senate campaign, and later worked as Mr. Ashcroft's deputy chief of staff.

Those connections led Democrats on Wednesday to assert that Mr. Rove's connections to Mr. Ashcroft amounted to a clear conflict of interest and undermined the integrity of the investigation. The disclosures have also emboldened Democrats who have called for the appointment of an outside counsel.


<much more...>

Independent counsel, here we come. No way can the DOJ look impartial investigating Ashcroft's buddies.

[shcrane]

1. The only way that we'll get an independent counsel

is if this story keeps appearing at the top of the hour on cable broadcasts, and pundits keep talking about it. Otherwise, we'll just need to "get over it" like the 2000 election.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. Tim Russert is the only one talking it up...he said it was a "huge"

conflict of interest and warrants a special independent council

Rove worked on all of Ashcroft's senatorial campaigns and more

[goforit]

3. Rove was in charge of Ashcroft's campaigns, Was he in charge of

Mel Carnahan's death????

Hmmmmm..........

It is amazing how this may piece together other events.

[CatWoman]

4. Dirk baby!!!!

:hi:

Enjoy!!

[Terran]

6. Heehee!

Great cartoon Midori! :hi: !

[Brucey]

5. Great story.

The public wants an independent investigation; but how to translate this into political power is the question. With repugs in power everywhere, it will be difficult. But this story might have legs, so if the pressure stays high, Chimpy will have to relent (afterall, he says he wants to find out!). On the other hand, the repugs must have a plan for dealing with this. Will they be able to find someone to take the blame? Is there someone in the WH who is willing to go to jail for chimpy? But 6 reporters know who told them the name. How will the repugs get around that? Kill them? (That's one of their common ways of dealing with problems). Intimidate them somehow? (That's their other solution). It will be interesting to see how they get off the hook.

[Tommy_Douglas]

7. No surprise here...

Every aspect of this administration is in bed with itself.

Only with an independent inquiry will this thing have any chance of adding a body to the legs that have sprouted.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi Tommy_Douglas!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Brian Sweat]

8. The idea that Ashcroft has a conflict of interest

is based on the fallacious assumption that he has any interest in doing anything other than covering for the BFEE.

[Beetwasher]

11. Ashscroft is just one big, gigantic

conflict of interest w/ a law degree...

[eleny]

10. No wonder Arlen Specter is also calling for Spec. Counsel

But of all the R's, I would expect it of him.