In regards to leak info, will WH declare "executive privilege"?

[kentuck]

As we have learned, today is the deadline for executive office workers to turn over their emails and any info pertaining to the leak in the Wilson Affair. But, the information is not going to John Ashcroft. It is going to Albert, the WH counsel. They will review all the information and it will be their determination if they want to release it or not. John Ashcroft may as well be a magistrate down in some hollow in Kentucky...as much power as he has in the investigation. And they say there is no need for an independent investigator? Let's see where it is two weeks from now?

[Cat Atomic]

1. True.

I really hope the point is made clearly in the press that these documents are essentially just being gathered inside the White House. Then they'll choose what to show and what to hide.

It's a great example of why we need an independent investigator.

[Booberdawg]

2. It's a whitewash. no doubt any damning info went through a shredder

[Mari333]

3. Its a total whitewash and cover up check this out

All those documents concerning the Wilson trip and conversations about it that White House staff has been ordered to come up with by tomorrow at 5 p.m. will not be going to the Justice Department. No, they're going to White House Counsel -- that is, to the lawyers for the President, who must be considered a likely suspect, at least as a co-conspirator or accessory.

Every staffer who turns something over knows that it will be made available to the President, who will be under no legal obligation not to share it with, let's say, Karl Rove. (A lawyer has no obligation, and in general no right, to keep information from his client, unless it has been sealed by a court, and a client has no obligation to keep confidential anything he learns from his lawyer.)

So the Bush team plans to give itself two weeks to plan its cover-up, having as a starting basis a full set of the relevant documents, so that they can make sure that any lies they tell can't be easily disproven. Note the headline: "Decision...riles Democrats," as if no one but a Democrat could object to giving the criminals the first look at all the evidence.>>>>>>>>>>>>>



http://markarkleiman.blogspot.com/2003_10_01_markarkleiman_archive.html#106549861215286539

[kentuck]

5. I wonder what Ashcroft thinks of this?

It would be nice to ask him on camera...so the whole world can see what a useful idiot he really is...

[Cat Atomic]

6. And not just a first look at the evidence,

but an opportunity to veto any of it that he doesn't like.

It's a complete joke.

[havocmom]

4. Claiming "executive privilege" would be declaration of war with CIA

My money will be on the spooks winning that one. They have been rather patient, offering time for the malAdministration to offer up the culprits and prove that they observe the rulse of engagement and are not
tolerant of treason. Should the WH choose to ignore the diplomatic solution, there will be civil war in the halls of government.

Anybody else get the feeling Tenent is holding back some avenging angels but is about to slip their collars off? Hope he takes the fight to the coporate boardrooms too. That is where the root of treason hides.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. no need to...WH had 3/4 months heads up on this leak issue

they scrubbed and tied up any loose ends