http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=8700132VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY.com) -- The shouts of protesters turned an area of Town Center in Virginia Beach into an outdoor courtroom.
"Arrest Karl Rove! Arrest Karl Rove!" they yelled.
A man wearing devil's horns and a Karl Rove mask made of paper stood as the accused in a mock trial. The jury of protesters charge him with several crimes including exposing a CIA operative... and most recently refusing to testify before Congress after being subpoenaed. Each accusation received the same verdict.
"What is your verdict? Guilty!"
The demonstration near the fountain was to counter, an event inside the Ruth's Criss Steak House. President Bush's former adviser, Karl Rove spoke to a crowd of Republicans on behalf of 2nd District Congresswoman Thelma Drake. After the fundraiser, Rove explained to reporters why he did not testify.
"A President has a right to counsel and advice from senior aids without being called up to Congress on the whim of Congress."
Rove says his attorneys offered 5 times to meet with the House Judiciary Committee and answer questions. As for how his controversies might impact Drake's campaign...
"I am a controversial figure. James Carville is a controversial figure. That's just the way politics is today."