TPM: Subpoenas on Hold, Senators to Meet with Gonzales

[sabra]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002709.php

Subpoenas on Hold, Senators to Meet with Gonzales

During this morning's business meeting, the Senate Judiciary Committee opted to delay issuing subpoenas to five Justice Department officials. Instead, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and other members of the committee will meet with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales late this afternoon.

Yesterday, Leahy sent Gonzales a letter (read it here) seeking to "work out a process" for the DoJ to "make these witnesses available for interviews, depositions, or hearing testimony, on a voluntary basis." To ensure that Gonzales didn't dally, the committee prepared to authorize the issuance of subpoenas this morning. But apparently Leahy was satisfied with Gonzales' response, since he's postponed the vote on subpoenas until next week.

We'll have to wait until after that meeting to see what happens.

[MUAD_DIB]

1. Just subpoena them and make sure that they are all under oath.

[originalpckelly]

2. Why would he do this?

:shrug:

Something weird is happening here. I think he may be stalling.

[Skidmore]

3. "...work out a process" is a weasel word phrase if I ever heard one.

Means that they are looking for a way to give * and his bunch a pass without it being blatant.

[maddezmom]

4. I trust Leahy...not sure what the hell he's doing

probably buying time for some reason not yet known. We know the WH is going to say something about "national security" or "executive privilege". :eyes:

[rodeodance]

5. Well, folks--------Leahy knew how to prevent 'dallying'!! te he.

[rodeodance]

6. Rec.

[KoKo]

7. Maybe this is a way to get around Abu's telling them he won't allow his

"subordinates" to answer subpoena's. Maybe it's a "pre-emptive" strike by the Dems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Ah the smell of watergate in the mornig