White House Fight Might Turn on Bush's Role

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002843.php

White House Fight Might Turn on Bush's Role
By Paul Kiel - March 22, 2007, 1:59 PM

The Hill had an interesting take on the looming legal battle between the White House and Congress this morning:

In an e-mail dated Nov. 15, 2006, Kyle Sampson, former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, asked then-White House Counsel Harriet Miers and her deputy, William Kelley, whether he had the green light to go forward with the firing plan.

Miers responded that she was “not sure whether this will be determined to require the boss’s attention.” Her e-mail ended with the words: “We will see. Thanks.”

Sampson, who resigned last week, responded with a critical question: “Who will determine whether whether this requires the President’s attention?”...

The e-mail exchange is particularly relevant to Bush’s case because the Supreme Court has provided only limited protection for executive privilege. It acknowledges the need to protect communications between high-ranking government officials and those who advise and assist them, but it has also ruled that the public interest can outweigh that need in “non-military” and “non-diplomatic” discussions. Critics of the U.S. attorney firings argue that Bush’s case for executive privilege would be significantly weaker if his aides never discussed the plan for the firings with him.

In response to a barrage of questions from reporters yesterday, White House spokesman Tony Snow said only that Bush had “no recollection of ever being raised with him.”

more...


And The Hill's article is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3176208&mesg_id=3176208

[Marnieworld]

1. I'm glad someone is raising this point

Either he was involved in it (which they deny) and privledge MIGHT come into play.

If he wasn't involved where is the privlege.

Of course they always try and disconnect him from everything but this might just bite them in their collective asses.

[opihimoimoi]

2. No Recollection??? How Convenient of an answer....they are stonewalling w LIES

[BOSSHOG]

5. Actually I think it was a great reply - please check post #4

[ShortnFiery]

3. I wish that I could meet "face to face" with our Democratic Representatives

within The House. I would say, "What EXACTLY does it take to Impeach these evil and corrupt people who are now occupying the Executive Branch?"

Really, I'm aghast! Consider for one fleeting moment *all* the lies and corruption that has been taking place.

Where is the justice?

Prepare for a show down with the mighty Corporations sooner rather than later.

Are we going to "lay down" or "fight the good fight?"

We the People deserve representatives that will put The Average hard working Wage Slave American ABOVE the needs of corporate interests.

Be advised: It's going to get VERY ugly.

[BOSSHOG]

4. "No recollection of (it) ever being raised with him."

A reference to the firings. So this dumb old balheaded fart veteran begs the question:

If bush didn't know about "it" what conversations would have to be protected by executive privilege?

And I still wanna know, if there no underlying crime why did libby HAVE to lie?

And these people are worshiped by conservatives.

[opihimoimoi]

7. Its TIME to SUBPOENA the President himself.....this shit has to be resolved

Is Bush Good for America? If we got a LYING SOB in there....IMPEACHMENT must follow with removal from Office....Cheney too.

[MethuenProgressive]

6. "Nov. 15"? Isn't that the start date for the email gap?

Hmmmmm..

[CrazyOrangeCat]

8. kick

hope the liars have lots of Maalox on hand . . .