Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) wanted to know: Since the 2004 election, had Sara Taylor spoken with the president about replacing U.S. attorneys?
Taylor declined to answer, citing the president’s invocation of privilege. Leahy replied that he wasn’t after the content of the discussion, just whether it occurred. Taylor declined again.
It’s just a sample of the testimony as it’s progressed this morning, where Taylor has actually answered a number of questions that would seem to be covered by privilege, but not others. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) later remarked that Taylor’s willingness to answer certain questions had “weakened” the White House’s claim of privilege.
Update: Later in the hearing, Taylor answered the question — it was no.