TPM: Bush Will Fight Subpoenas

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002827.php

Bush Will Fight Subpoenas
By Paul Kiel - March 20, 2007, 6:13 PM

Here's the takeaway from Bush's press conference just now, in which the phrase "political points" and "klieg lights" found frequent use, as opposed to his administration's "reasonable proposal."

"I hope don't choose confrontation. I will oppose any attempts to subpoena White House officials."

He added that the Democrats would be "wasting time" by issuing subpoenas.

To the question, "Are you going to go to the mat in protecting the principle you talked about?... You'll go to the courts?" he answered, yes.

Here we go.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. indeed

the end is near, or at least nearer than anybody thought

[Lerkfish]

2. actually, in a perverse way, I'm GLAD they're being complete fascists about it.

since a lot of republicans want the testimony, its becoming clearer, hopefully, for the koolaid drinkers, what the concept of "unitary executive" really means.

If they had been a little more reasonable, it wouldn't have drawn the line so sharply.

[babylonsister]

4. His contrariness will also attract a lot more attention than he probably

wanted (though a welcome distraction from the war). It really makes me wonder what they're hiding...

[Lerkfish]

7. my theory is there is a connection between the NSA wiretaps and the compliant USAttys.

I think the democratic congresscritter caught with thousands in his refrigerator is part of it.
I think the NSA was actively seeking dirt on democrats illegally, and handing it off to loyalist USAttys to harrass or blackmail dems.

I think it involves a blackmail scheme so large and so wide reaching that the concept of absolute compliance on Rove strategies will be understood in the light of extortion, at its absolute dirtiest.

and when THAT unravels, it will be connected to cunningham, abrahamoff, hastert, sibel edmonds' secrets, and all the way back to 9.11 and the orders to allow it to happen.

whether this all comes out is another question, but I think that is the RISK bush and rove are not willing to take.

[babylonsister]

11. Wow. You've really been connecting the dots!

That scenario is pretty scary.:scared:

[napi21]

3. YES, but he does have Scalia, Roberts, Alito and Thomas votes

for sure!

At BEST, it's a 5-4 decision. Obviously he's betting the 5 will be his!

[wake.up.america]

5. The Idiot in Chief has something to hide. Will try to make it look as if...

the Demos are being partisan. This could get interesting.

SCOTUS will be convening.

[rmgarrette64]

6. This should be fun

I don't think he has a shot at winning here. It's been established numerous times, not least during President Clinton's terms, that Congress can subpoena White House officers.

What is this Bush has with fighting unwinnable battles?

R. Garrett

[jumpoffdaplanet]

8. I thought Clinton backed down on the court battle?

He didn't want the precedent if the court ruled Congress could subpoena WH people. So he gave in to protect that priviledge.

Damn, now I'm going to have to look it up.

[rmgarrette64]

9. Hmmm

You might be right. Maybe I just got too much enjoyment out of thinking of the GOP getting stung by their own precedents. Still think it'll be (yet another) losing battle for Bush if he fights this one out.

R. Garrett

[jumpoffdaplanet]

10. I found an old link about subpeonas

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/07/15/lewinsky/

On that page, there are links on left, and this one:


Secret Service Agents Give Grand Jury Testimony (07-17-98)

"Rehnquist refuses to extend stay, clearing way for their testimony"

Here that shit on the SC gave the agents to the rethugs on a platter.

And later Clinton is subpeona'd. but agress to tesify:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_19980730/ai_n10437533

and that is what leads to the bogus impeachment.

I thought at the time it was a mistake not to fight the subpeona, but Clinton thought protecting priviledge was more important.



So, it should be interesting because the rethugs have pushed the court to screw with the prez office, and now they are screaming to protect it.



lots' of typos, sorry but it's been a long day.