Now we know why Domenici Hired Criminal Counsel To Represent Him....

[Blackhatjack]

Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo pulls out this quote from this morning's Washington Post piece:

"And here's the piece in the Post story which should lead to Sen. Domenici's departure from the senate ...

One e-mail from Miers's deputy, William Kelley, on the day of the Dec. 7 firings said Domenici's chief of staff "is happy as a clam" about Iglesias. Sampson wrote in an e-mail a week later: "Domenici is going to send over names tomorrow (not even waiting for Iglesias's body to cool)."

Domenici was in on the plan to can Iglesias from the get-go.

Once identified as one of several actors conspiring in this endeavor, Domenici followed the Republican playbook -- first deny everything, even knowledge that such a thing happened. Then you admit the least egregious acts and allege innocent intent, and amazement that anyone could think he acted improperly. Next hire counsel once it appears this is not going away anytime soon, and because he knows there is a lot more to this that has not yet come out. Next go silent, observe insiders resign in an attempt to protect higherups, and then watch events spiral downward.

Domenici's actions are susceptible to only one interpretation --he tried to influence a sitting US Attorney to direct the power of that office for political purposes, and when he did not get his way he engaged in a conspiracy to have that US Attorney fired and replaced with one of his choosing.

I am betting we will not be getting many more public statements from Domenici on this matter, as he listens to his counsel's advice to shut up already.

[Kagemusha]

1. I just saw the part about Domenici complaining directly to Bush.

That's news to me, and it's news that Bush went to Gonzales after that personal complaint.

[Justice Is Comin]

2. Yeah it's funny they way they act like---nothing of interest here,

move along.

Then we see them in orange jumpsuits :rofl:

[MUAD_DIB]

4. But, But, But Clinton....

[Blackhatjack]

3. One thing about Republicans, Eventually One of Them is Going To Cut A Deal And Talk...

They keep sending up the lower level insiders to resign in hopes of protecting the real power holders behind these nefarious deeds. However, not all of the underlings signed on to take a hit for the higherups, to resign, and possibly go to prison.

Eventually one of these 'insiders' is going to 'cut a deal' and tell it all. I keep thinking about another Watergate styled 'John Dean' type of disclosure before a Congressional hearing.

Surely there are some insiders who cannot stomach what is going on here, and in that case they are bound to have collected and secreted some concrete evidence to be used if they are 'squeezed.' That would only be smart.

What is needed is some real pressure by the Democratic Congressional Committee Chairs who have the power to place these individuals under oath if these individuals do not voluntarily cooperate.

This fully loaded scandal train is headed downhill and won't be stopping anytime soon....

[murielm99]

5. The difference with this crew

is that they threaten. Apparently their threats have teeth. Usually people who have made critical statements end up retracting them. The guy who called them the 'Mayberry Machiavellis' is an example.

People retract because they want a life. They want to work in the future. They don't want their families penalized because of something they said.

Didn't Perot claim the the Bush operatives threatened a member of his family?

I will be pleasantly surprised if anyone tells all.

[Sydnie]

6. I'm sure Nixon threatened Dean too

but Dean could only save himself by talking. If he had not, they would have quietly carried out whatever threat they were holding over his head. By going public and asking for forgiveness, he got forgiven.

One of the big lessons here is, if you admit to what you did and ask for forgiveness, most people will oblige. Nixon didn't do that, his personality wouldn't allow him to, and he got taken down for it. Clinton did, and the world forgave him. blivet** doesn't have it in him, cheney doesn't have it in him either, and they will eventually go down for that.

I agree with you to some extent. But, I also think that someone will eventually stand up to the threat and they will be forgiven if and when they tell the truth.

[Blackhatjack]

7. I remember how Dean was demonized by Republican haters for cooperating in Watergate..

... but at some point, insiders begin to clearly see the future, that it is all going to come out and the first to cooperate will get the best 'deal' when it comes to punishment.

WE are a long way from that tipping point, and it took years of stonewalling and lying in the Watergate case before it reached that point.

There are lessons to be learned from Watergate, but these folks in the White House do not read or know history --so they are bound to repeat the same mistakes.