Look Out! Bush May Use Executive Privelage in "LEAK CASE"

[matcom]

here it comes i'll bet ya. he'll use it. absolutely disgusting!

<snip>

Executive privilege seen as leak-case option
Shielding material is not ruled out; Democrats protest
By Wayne Washington, Globe Staff, 10/8/2003

WASHINGTON -- Despite President Bush's repeated pledges of full cooperation, administration officials yesterday refused to rule out invoking executive privilege to shield some documents from Justice Department investigators looking into whether someone in the White House illegally leaked the name of a CIA operative.

Democrats who have complained that the investigation should be handled by a special counsel instead of the Justice Department because of its connections to the White House said the prospect of executive privilege being used shows that more independence is needed.

"Asserting executive privilege would make a farce of the investigation," said US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts. "That's why we need a special prosecutor, so that we can challenge any coverup."

The very words "executive privilege" evoke memories of scandal-plagued presidents trying to use the power of their office to hide from public view politically damaging information, and White House press secretary Scott McClellan was careful not to use the term. Still, he would not rule out the use of executive privilege, saying: "I think it's premature to even speculate about such matters."

Presidents can invoke executive privilege to shield from public view some aspects of their internal decision-making process. "It's used to shroud advice that's sometimes inflammatory or has been rejected," said Thomas Sargentich, a law professor at American University in Washington, D.C. "Executive privilege is not supposed to be a shield in criminal investigations."

Yesterday, Bush pledged "full disclosure" in the leak investigation, adding that he wants "to know the truth."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/10/08/executive_privilege_seen_as_leak_case_option?mode=PF

[dusty64]

1. And it will be buried

in the media/ahnold orgy. Disgusting, will they get away with it yet AGAIN? They pulled it off with the 9/11 whitewash.

[JHB]

2. National Security issue

We have to keep hammering that this is a national security issue, not just a "leak in a town with a lotta leaks". There is no legitimate case for executive privilege here. The only use for it is to obstruct the investigation of a confirmed (not theoretical) security breach.

[underpants]

6. Right this is a LEGAL issue not political

THEY are turning it around to make it look like it is just political but a law was broken. I know I heard it somewhere before that:

WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS!!

So now they are going to use "national security" (AGAIN) to cover up for a national security breach? The circular argument is spinning my head around.

[Starpass]

3. Saw an analyst the other day---and this isn't good for Bush

There was a late night analyst on tape the other night (never saw him before). He said Bush still hold high approval on only one thing---honor/truth/integrity, et. al. and if he loses that due to this scandle, the WH will crumble like a house of cards since everything else is in the sewer there. I knew he's telling the truth because I've seen those numbers throughout polls, including one earlier that day which was a great Bush bash for the Dems (NYTimes/CBS) but two not so good for Dems questions at the end. This is the poll where people don't believe he can handle a crisis, thing country is in bad shape, etc. BUT, he scored in the 60% for the honor/truth/integrity thing. That's why the Dems have to just keep on screaming and screaming and screaming. This is the last area where they have to rip this guy apart. This is the perfect storm to do it in----the country is getting disgusted and, therefore, now (as the Dems promised) they need to keep the pressure on and in essence tell Americans: these bastards committed a high crime and these bastards are covering for each other just LIKE THEY COVERED AND LIED ABOUT IRAQ; THERE IS NO HONOR AMONG THESE SLIME!!!!!

[opihimoimoi]

4. Lie. cheat. steal is the Hall mark of the Bush Cabal

No Honor, instead arrogance

Pity

[lovedems]

14. Bush has the religious right so fooled

He portrays this "good, faithful christian" image and so many people must buy into it and think well, he is a good christian and a good christian wouldn't lie. If people would look at what he says publicly and then what his administration does behind the scenes, they would see that it is JUST AN IMAGE. It just floors me that he scores such high approval ratings in the honor, truth, integrity category. Especially after all of the pre-war lies are being exposed. Why are people so slow to figure this misadministration out?

[underpants]

5. Hold it ! What "decision making process"?

What a load of bull that is. There is no decision making process the decisions have already been made. I'd say I am surprised that it is still on the table but these paranoid lying freaks are more secretive than the freakin' Masons.

[Q]

7. Please tell me this doesn't suprise you...

- He'll use 'it' and get away with it. Why? Because the free press is now the corporate press and they want a corporate 'president'.

[Sven77]

8. I think Novak should goto jail

I think Novak should goto jail, just like Whitewater figure Susan McDougal did for protecting Clinton. Imagine Nofacts in jail, that would be great!

[matcom]

9. GAWDDAMMIT PEOPLE! FUCK CALI....... THIS IS THE STORY OF THE DAY!

i am getting pretty fucking sick of the fucking AhNold threads here. THIS is the story of the day! on the WHOLE PAGE 2 of the Boston Globe. IT TAKES UP THE WHOLE PAGE!

so, lets limit the damn AhNold threads and start FIGHTING BUSH AGAIN!

*we now return you to your regular programming*

[matcom]

10. ..

don't make me kick this again

[Snellius]

11. This was the real big story that got lost yesterday

Yesterday Bush admitted that

1) He could care less whether they find the leaker
2) If they don't find him, it's the press's fault
3) Wilson was as much a leaker as the "senior administration official"
4) Even if we do find him, we will not release it because of "executive privilege" or "national security"

Somehow this all got lost watching the latest Arnold extravaganza. As Bush knew it would. And the press could give a shit. And those who do can't do a thing. And the Democrats are still afraid of losing the little they haven't already lost. Watch your back, Joe Wilson. Watch your back, Larry Johnson.

[Lars39]

12. Can't let this story get lost.

:kick:

[Cush]

13. CBS talked about this last night

They said that when CLinton & Nixon tried to use Executive Privilege, they were overturned by the courts. They said it couldnt' be used in Criminal Investigations

Of course, Bush has the SCOTUS all wrapped up...but if they were to protect him, it would make things even worse (For Bush)

[leftchick]

15. I say let them try and use it.....

from the article:

<Sargentich, who worked in the Office of Legal Counsel during the Carter and Reagan administrations, said lawyers in that office can make independent judgments, though the attorney general remains their boss and can overrule them.

If the White House asserts a claim of executive privilege, Sargentich said it would be a strong sign that the investigation is heading to the highest levels of the Bush administration, given that the claim can only be used to shield the president's decision-making process.>

Note: Highest levels of the * administration!!!!

I believe once the focus becomes CHENEY, which it isn't right now in the mainstream press, they are TOAST!!!