***Official Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing thread********

[Eurobabe]

C-SPAN 3

www.c-span.org

It's on now, David Iglesias is speaking. Schumer questioning...please describe the conversation

[Eurobabe]

1. Domenici contacted Iglesias in late October and

pressured Iglesias to move along with investigations on Democrats. Unprecedented contact at home. Fired 6 weeks later.

Wilson contacted him prior to Sen Domenici, mid October. Brief conversation, Wilson heard about sealed indictments, he says red flags went up. He was evasive and non-responsive, she was not happy with his answer. Short conversation. Felt pressured during this call also.

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. Thanks from the deaf cube rats!

:thumbsup:

[Eurobabe]

3. Bud Cummings up now

None of US attorneys took any action to stir up trouble.

[Ian David]

4. I'm not getting any audio. n/t

[Eurobabe]

5. reload, might be too many people streaming n/t

[Eurobabe]

6. Cummings still talking

Concerned about my colleagues. (Seems like he was reluctant to come forward?) Sent an email to the other attorneys after they were fired. McKay up now: we could expect trouble if we testified about this. Felt that this was a threat by administration official (Ellson?)

[malta blue]

7. The attorneys do not feel they were fired for

failure of performance...although those were the reasons cited.

[Eurobabe]

8. Lam: were they (administration) holding information about us that

they were going to release?

[Eurobabe]

9. Do you believe you were fired for performance failure

Lam, no
Iglesias, no
McKay, no
Cummings, no

Specter up now.

[Eurobabe]

11. Feinstein up now, Mr. McKay did any member of congress contact you re:

Washington gov. election?

[seemslikeadream]

10. E-MAIL

I'd like to see the e-mail before I start my questioning - Spector

[brooklynite]

12. Another charge of interference (WA Congressman DOC Hastings)

Congressman Doc Hastings' office (WA-4) contacted Attorney John McKay about investigation of the Washington State election

[Eurobabe]

14. Cassidy called him

Improper contact? Ended conversation.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. This testimony is DEVASTATING TO GONZO and certain members of Congress!

Shit's about to hit the fan! See what happens when you hold oversight hearings? TRUTH happens.

[seemslikeadream]

16. HURRICANE

[Eurobabe]

15. Feinstein: do you think this situation had anything to do with why you were

asked to resign?

McKay: I don't know. I served at the pleasure of the pResident.

[Eurobabe]

17. Feinstein: Ms. Lam, FBI stated that Lam's employment was critical

to ongoing investigations (Duke Cunningham, etc) Mid Feb: indictments against Foggo and Wilkes

Foggo & Wilkes indictments out of facts learned re: Duke, Foggo position at CIA/ Conspiracy to bribe Cunningham.

[Eurobabe]

18. Issa mentioned? didn't catch why

[Eurobabe]

19. complaints to Lams office by Issa re: immigration

[riderinthestorm]

20. So anyone taking bets that all of the fired attorneys were inappropriately pressured?

Inappropriately pressured because of current investigations. Can we say obstruction of justice? And what is the recourse for this breach of law...?

[Eurobabe]

21. Feinstein: Lam very well respected, asking each attorney now

how soon after each of you were forced to resign, did new interviews for your position begin? Interim replacements/

Lam: 2 months
Iglesias: mid-Feb
McKay: About 3 weeks after let go
Cummings: interim person identified when I was forced to leave.

[Hepburn]

22. I keep thinking my mouth cannot drop any further open...

...and each bit of new testimony makes me just go :wow: even more!

I am shocked and it takes a LOT to shock me.

[Eurobabe]

24. Folks we have a full-blown dictatorship

all the way up and down the line!!

[Eurobabe]

23. Reading email to colleagues from Cummings

in response to the Times (?) article. (Oh this is rich, the email...) Retaliation coming if we go forward.

[seemslikeadream]

25. Don't let anyone else read it!

:rofl:

[DemReadingDU]

32. Amazing that anyone would write this in an email

That was really stupid!

:rofl:

[Hepburn]

26. That email was hot....

...disgusting, but hot. The relatiation for speaking out ... IMO, I cannot believe some times what BushCo thinks it can get away with. Is there anything they touch that is NOT corrupt? (Ans: No.)

[LizW]

27. Is Specter seriously trying to defend this?

What a jackass.

[Hepburn]

29. Asking Lam about being fired for going after Cunningham.

Specter is trying to nail her down....and she is not giving him the answers apparently that he wants.

I am wondering which way he is trying to go on this? Odd, to say the least. But he did offer her a closed session, which to me is cool.

[Horse with no Name]

37. He WANTS a closed session

They do everything they can in secret.

[Eurobabe]

33. Specter, do you think your removal was improper?

Again, not sure where he is leading here?

Lam: I don't feel that I did anything improper to warrant removal.

Specter, I accept your answer. Ms. Lam: You were successful in prosecuting DC (Duke C.)

[Norquist Nemesis]

34. Gee, what a guy! Now he's suggesting a closed session

Claiming her answers are unresponsive.

[WillyT]

50. Spector Has A Whole Lot Of Gall Here !!!

He's the one the WH has by the short hairs. He's the one who was forced to take on to his staff, the very guy(aide) who snuck the provision in to the bill (which even Arlan didn;t know about) that has caused this controversy in the first place!

:wtf:

[Eurobabe]

28. Specter, "we served at the pleasure of the president"

Do you think you were removed wrongly?

Lam: Unusual move because of chilling effect this has on US attorneys

[in_cog_ni_to]

40. Now shill Specter is reading Dominici's statement about calling Iglesias.

Specter should be ASHAMED of himself for defending this crap!

[Horse with no Name]

30. Arlen Specter is a dickhead

Lam obviously cannot answer questions that she has no answer to.
Also trying to move this to a closed session. How convenient.

[Eurobabe]

39. Oh Arlen is getting a nasty letter from me

Calling her not responsive! Asshole!

[Hepburn]

42. IMO, that is not such a bad thing on the closed session...

...there may be some things which were not made public which could impact on on-going investigations re: the totality of the Cunningham scandal. I cannot down Specter because of that. To me it was an opportunity for her to put things on the record that maybe she felt should not be made public because of pending invesitations.

Just a thought on this. I don't like Specter very much...but I can see a legit reason why he said this.

[Horse with no Name]

46. They want the cover of closed hearings

The last thing they want is this thing on the front pages and news shows.
He has no interest in justice. Just damage control.

[Hepburn]

51. All I can tell you is that...

..at times there are legit reasons to have some things done in a closed session. That probably is not the case from what I am seeing on the rest of what Specter is saying. But there are legit reasons at times to do this.

[Eurobabe]

52. my feeling exactly

some shit storm is brewing with this, and Arlen wants to put the pile under some leaves.

[Roland99]

101. Wonder if he made any calls himself?

[Turn CO Blue]

121. he could have offered closed session so she will feel safer

about speaking out... Could be?

[brooklynite]

31. Specter proposing to have a closed session?

[Eurobabe]

35. WTF?

Specter wants closed session

[brooklynite]

36. Spector now reading Domenici's response to the issue...

[LizW]

38. He's trying desperately to bury this.

Even tried to delay the hearing by postponing his questions until he could have a copy of the e-mail. Schumer stopped him by letting Feinstein go first.

[brooklynite]

41. I think he's feeling the heat...

...since the replacements are avoiding Senate confirmation based on his change to the Patriot Act

[Norquist Nemesis]

45. Probably got a few calls from Gonzo too

[cascadiance]

48. Any chance we can get Specter on the stand too?

To ask him specifically if it was he or that staffer that consciously added the bullet item to the Patriot Act that is so contentious now. His office seems to be in the "finger pointing away" mode from that. It would be nice to have him on the record under oath on that.

[DemReadingDU]

79. It sure would be nice to find out how this item

was entered into the Patriot Act.
Also, who did it, Specter or a staffer?

[Norquist Nemesis]

43. Also doing a Domenici defense attorney impression

Using Domenici's 'response' on Iglesias.

[Blackhatjack]

44. Specter 'plays dumb' in his questioning ... but it is obvious to everyone else! n/t

[Horse with no Name]

57. I guess he thinks if he keeps saying that they don't have adequate answers

people will dismiss it and go on.

[Eurobabe]

47. Iglesias, asking now about Domenici and Wilson's statements

PD: I asked Iglesias if he could tell me what was going on in that investigation. Blah-blah. At no time in that conversation with DI did I tell him course of action.

AS: did Sen. Domenici pressure or threaten? What led you to feel threatened?

DI: mid-October, corruption big in political campaigns at that time.

[Hepburn]

54. Specter is a fomer prosecutor...

...just from that ALONE he knows ~~ or should know ~~ that asking about a sealed indictment to a PA is a no-no.

[brooklynite]

49. Specter plying the role of cross-examining Defense Attorney

wants very short answers to very narrow questions (e.g. "Did Senator Domenici specifically threaten you?")

[in_cog_ni_to]

53. Now the WH shill, Specter, is reading Heather Wilson's statement.

She says she did not ask about any of the TIMING of the cases to be filed.

Iglesias.."she wanted to talk about the SEALED INDICTMENTS."

[Hepburn]

55. Geeeeeeez,

To ask about that??? Specter HAS TO KNOW that is the WRONG thing to do.

[Eurobabe]

56. Wilson's calls inappropriate

Specter: why did you not report these calls to the Dept. of Justice?

DI: we were colleagues and friends, felt conflicted re: reporting them.

AS: Importance of reporting inappropriate contact to establishing credibility

[cascadiance]

64. Iglesias said "Loyalty is a two way street"

Then basically noted that he didn't feel the need to continue to protect a loyalty that in fact was not there and was what lead to him being fired, and that is why he "broke" that loyalty later and came forward with this info.

Said that his office had no reason to believe that performance of he or anyone else was at issue.

[BuyingThyme]

62. She just called to chew the fat.

Not.

[Eurobabe]

66. AS: what made you change your mind and making

call to your superiors?

DI: I knew performance was NOT the issue. Why am I protecting people who did me wrong? Upon further reflection, I went public.

AS: Well, in light of the stance taken by the DOJ in terminating so many US attorneys, did the thought cross your mind that they might have terminated you regardless of PD and HW contact?

DI: I did not know what had gone on with colleagues. This came from on high (Mike Battle?)

[DemReadingDU]

84. wow! I like this Iglesias

he can connect the dots!

[brooklynite]

58. Sidebar: Hearing starting to show up in the media...

Iglesias: Calls came from Domenici and Wilson

WASHINGTON (AP) - David Iglesias says he received calls from fellow Republicans US Senator Pete Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson last October.

Iglesias, who was US attorney for New Mexico at the time, says Domenici wanted to ask him about investigations into corruption cases.

Iglesias says Domenici asked him whether the cases would go to trial before November. Iglesias told him no, and quoted Domenici as saying, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Iglesias says the line then went dead, and he felt sick after the call. He says he felt pressured by the calls from Domenici and Wilson.

http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=30847&cat=NMTOPSTORIES

[robinlynne]

59. These attorneys seem afraid to speak.

[robinlynne]

63. maybe it is because of Specter.

[LizW]

67. Can't blame them.

They are extremely accomplished people and they did everything right, and yet their public careers are probably over.

[cascadiance]

74. They are being asked to give their feelings about politics

and they are all trying to put politics aside as a reason for their behavior. It must be tough for them to try to assess why they've been fired without appear to be biased one way or the other.

[in_cog_ni_to]

76. They've been threatened NOT TO. n/t

[LizW]

60. Specter is needling Iglesias

Iglesias might be getting a little pissed.

Oooh -- Iglesias just said that the order came from "on high".

[Hepburn]

61. Good response by Iglesias to the Wilson statement.

And good response on if he knew about why he was terminated.

[Norquist Nemesis]

70. Best part is Specter is looking like he's trying to protect his buds

rather than get the truth!

RUSS!!!

[Blackhatjack]

65. David Iglesias is besting Specter right now, .... he comes across believeable and smart

Specter will regret getting down in the weeds with Iglesias. He is equiting himself very well. People will understand how Iglesias is explaining this.

Specter is trying his best to carry Bush's water ... but not very successfully!

[Blackhatjack]

71. There is no excuse for either of the tel calls .... which is obvious to everyone.

[Norquist Nemesis]

75. Specter clearly looks like he's just trying to give cover and side with

Domenici, Wilson (and indirectly Bush admin).

[in_cog_ni_to]

81. Too bad the DEMOCRATS are in charge now!

Poor little Arlen can't cover-up anymore. Tsk...tsk.

[Norquist Nemesis]

82. It reeks of the same way they covered for Foley

and look where that got them

[riderinthestorm]

89. Uhm, reelected? Foley got to slither away? Nobody was held to account?

That's what that cover-up did while it was a Rethug congress. :puke: Oh sure, a few of them had a couple of bad nights about it but basically everyone skated away.

I cannot tell you how profoundly and deeply grateful I am to the American public for electing a Dem congress. What a difference!

[robinlynne]

68. oooh Feingold!!!

[Hepburn]

69. Russ is up ~~ this should be good! n/t

[brooklynite]

72. Why is he giving a statement...

instead of asking questions?

[Hepburn]

78. IMO, making his record.

Attys tend to do that...so that their exact position can be known.

[Blackhatjack]

80. This is why we need people like Feingold in the Senate .....

Everybody cannot be President, but public interest demands the most qualified people hold offices other than President.

At least when Feingold speaks we know he speaks for us, the people.

[fooj]

122. Amen to that!

:toast:

Feingold is all about THE PEOPLE!

[Eurobabe]

73. DI: in January thought politics were involved

complaint? General allegation in late February.

[Eurobabe]

77. Feingold up now

Unprecedented dismissal of US attorneys. AG Gonzales quote.

[Hepburn]

83. Looks like Gonzo's azz in a sling.

All of these dismissed US Attys are top of the line and they were praised until they refused to play politics with prosecutions. The LIE from the DOJ that they were dismissed because of "performance" IMO is gonna come back to bite Gonzo real hard. There is NO excuse, IMO, to lie about these people and basically ruin their careers because they did what was right regardless of whether someone was a R or a D.

[Hepburn]

85. Unbelievable....

...Iglesias gets praised...then dismissed.

WTF???

[brooklynite]

87. Ben Cardin (D-MD) now up...

[brooklynite]

88. bringing up ANOTHER interference case...

...involving former R Governor Erlich

Former Prosecutor Says Departure Was Pressured

WASHINGTON, March 5 — The former federal prosecutor in Maryland said Monday that he was forced out in early 2005 because of political pressure stemming from public corruption investigations involving associates of the state’s governor, a Republican.

“There was direct pressure not to pursue these investigations,” said the former prosecutor, Thomas M. DiBiagio. “The practical impact was to intimidate my office and shut down the investigations.”

Mr. DiBiagio, a controversial figure who clashed with a number of Maryland politicians, had never publicly discussed the reasons behind his departure. But he agreed to an interview with The New York Times because he said he was concerned about what he saw as similarities with the recent firings of eight United States attorneys.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/washington/06prosecutor.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[Oreo]

86. Iglesias is the guy Tom Cruise played in A Few Good Men

Leahy mentioned it in the opening for those who missed it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Iglesias_%28attorney%29

[Pryderi]

90. will anyone have an mp3 file or dvd recorded? I'll pay.

[Eurobabe]

95. I bet it will be on C-SPAN later for viewing

this is explosive!

[MiniMe]

91. I wonder if Gonzo is watching?

And what he is doing while he is watching it.

[napi21]

96. If HE isn't, you can bet your.......that someone in his office is!

I suspect his attention is being torn way by the Libby verdict!

[Hepburn]

108. I would assume an adult sized Depends? n/t

[DemReadingDU]

92. OT - Verdict reached in Libby trial

announced at noon

[brooklynite]

97. Tough choice - stay here or break off for the announcement...

[Eurobabe]

98. I've got TV on screen and C-Span streaming

:crazy:

[DemReadingDU]

99. same here!

So much news today!

[cascadiance]

103. And Sibel Edmonds still needs to get her time on the stand with these guys too!

Domestic spying on political opponents is something of Watergate proportions, and that is just another news item this week that's being intentionally ignored by our "liberal media".

[DemReadingDU]

112. Yes, I try to keep up with Sibel too

I would love to see Sibel news too

[Norquist Nemesis]

105. Same here! What to do, what to do!

[DemReadingDU]

118. Thankfully, a break. Libby verdict is in

Guilty on counts 1,2,4,5
not guilty on count 3

[Blackhatjack]

93. Choosing USA is always affected by partisanship, but performance must never be affected by partisan

.... reasons.

IF we are going to have a DOJ that makes decisions of prosecutions based upon partisan loyalty and policy, then we no longer have an independent judiciary --and we no longer have a justice system that is based on the rule of law in its application. It becomes a political tool that demands political alliance and discipline.

Each of these USAs were Republicans when named. Just shows how political this Administration has used its power to subvert the administration of justice.

[LizW]

94. Lam: it was leaked to the paper that she was to be fired

because of failure to prosecute enough immigration cases.

Typical. They didn't tell her why she was being forced out, but leaked a lie to the media.

Disgusting.

[brooklynite]

100. Now Sheldon Whitehouse (D_RI)...

Why no other Republicans questioning...are they afraid?

[Norquist Nemesis]

102. Whitehouse up! This should be good! n/t

[brooklynite]

106. suggesting interference was Obstruction of Justice...

All Attornies concur...

[cascadiance]

107. And all of the attorneys agree!

[Eurobabe]

104. Whitehouse RI up now

Got MSNBC muted on computer screen

[Eurobabe]

109. Put attorney hats back on

what if a witness had come to you and been approached like Ellston approached you? What would you say?

[Norquist Nemesis]

111. 48...can we get a Thread 2 up?

Please? :hi:

[Eurobabe]

114. ask and ye shall receive

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x349819

[seaglass]

110. I just have to say that it's a pleasure to be able to listen to this

and not have to mute it every 15 minutes because a Republican is coming on trying to cover for the Bush admin.

[Norquist Nemesis]

113. It certainly is!

I've been dreading having to listen to Orrin Hatch for one. Did the Cons (besides Kyl) even show up?

[cascadiance]

116. Sessions is coming up after the break...

[seaglass]

120. He's one of the worst, I won't be tuning in for him - thanks for

the head's up.

[brooklynite]

115. What happened to the other Republicans?

We should be hearing from Hatch, Grassley, Kyl, Sessions, Graham, Cornyn, Brownback and Coburn, but except for Specter, they're all keeping quiet. Are they staying away to to claim this is a partisan witch-hunt?

[napi21]

117. I heardCornin wasn't going to be able to be there. Can't recall why.

I read it on FireDogLake this AM. Blogger said something about the WH not having anyone to do their talking points at the hearing.

[Eurobabe]

119. THREAD TWO IS UP

Go here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x349819

[Eurobabe]

123. Video available on C-SPAN, Senate Judiciary Hearing

http://www.c-span.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,