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Rove Attorney: Sure, People Wanted Fitzgerald Canned, But Rove Never Followed Up
I noted as an update to my earlier post that Karl Rove's attorney Robert Luskin had told The Chicago Tribune that Rove did not recall Republican bigwig Bob Kjellander or "anyone else arguing for Fitzgerald's removal."
I spoke to Luskin just now, and he said that his statement ought to be qualified a bit: his statement on Kgellander stands as is, he said, but during the independent counsel investigation, he said, Rove was "frequently" approached about canning Fitzgerald: "a number of people approached Karl and suggested that Fitzgerald be removed because of the alleged politicization of the investigation, but he never took any follow-up steps except to say that I can't talk about that. He didn't want to do anything seen as compromising Fitzgerald's independence." Those approaches, Luskin said, came during fundraisers or other political events "in an unsolicited way.... Karl simply never responded and did not take any action."
Someone's getting a little worried if they're needing to clear up the record... Touchy touchy. BTW, Karl, nice pink shirt at the MacArthur Starbucks, I hear.
"...And he (Rove) is very certain that he didn't take any steps to do that, or have any conversations with anyone in the White House -- or in the Justice Department -- about doing anything like that...''
"Very certain" = not positive
"Any steps" = a jog (which he never does)
"Any conversations" = but did send emails
"Like that" = I'm not talking about 'that', just things 'like that'.
April 23, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
OPEN LETTER TO THE COURT
I swear you honor I did not know that cat was dead when I sexed it.
Can I go now?
Sincerely
K. Rove
April 23, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rove is one of those guys who needs to go through a perp walk in front of every major TV company's rolling cameras and just maybe then, kids will get the idea that getting involved in criminal activities really does bring not only shame bot alas a trial. This guy has lied repeatedly. I actually wrote in the McCain name on the last two ballots when Bush was the R nominee. But with McCain sucking it up to Rove, he is no longer the straight talker. Rove, is this this monstrous guy that is at the bottom of the huge amount of illegal skulduggery this Administration has pawned off on us. It is finally time for the reckoning. If there ever was a "Straight Talk Express" it is entirely gone from the scene now!!!!! McCain has joined the sleaze of the Rovian type Republican Party. Easy choice this time and it will NOT be McCain. He is a traitor to what is right and honest.
April 24, 2008 5:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
They didn't actually do any thing?..just intimidated Fitzgerald into doing a little "light" work..and only go after Scooter on a lesser charge of perjury...not who Scooter was lying for...or why...the Mafia is running this country
April 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
No one is asking the obvious question here: Why would Karl Rove be "frequently approached about canning Fitzgerald" in the first place?
This is kind of like arguing that your client, Mack the Knife, never sliced anyobody up; he was just "frequently asked" to do so.
April 23, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if Luskin is paid extra to act as Karl's press secretary.
April 23, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
The correct terminology is "Butt Puppet", though I'd say most of the Republican Congress qualifies for that title.
April 23, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
And how did people come to the conclusion that Karl Rover could get prosecutors fired even to the level of US Attorneys? Luskin's saying that Rove didn't follow up, but is anyone denying that he could have?
Fitzgerald never got canned, but others did. The fact that multiple people approached Rove about firing one US Attorney makes it all the more credible that he was involved with some or all of the other firings.
If Congress has any sense of self-worth (or self preservation) they really need to track this down under the next administration, since they know in their bones it is elected representatives who are the target of the Rove-Gonzales DOJ. If both parties don't agree to expose DOJ's politicization to sunshine, they may the next target.
April 23, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
At the very least, if one does not infer that Rove was involved in other US Attorney firings, the number of requesters implies that many believed he was not only in a position to do it, but that he would do it. Since these were hard-core Republicans with connections, it sounds like there certainly is circumstantial evidence to follow...
Yeah, it's quite possible that Rove is trying to cover some tracks. He's too full of himself to feel nervous though. Not at this point...but we can wait it out.
April 23, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't make too much of this. Stalwart partisans attend fundraisers and say all kinds of things. Rove likely had enough sense to brush off the absurd suggestion that he get an independent prosecutor fired *during an investigation.* Any attempt to "intimidate" a prosecutor would have made the prosecutor's day--and landed KR in jail. My guess is that this played out just as KR's lawyer describes: stupid things were suggested by stupid people, and KR ignored them.
April 23, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like you are the one making the stupid suggestion now.
Why did Mr. Rove not report all those people to the FBI for attempting to interfere with the justice systems?.
According to Turdblossom's attorney, Rove was asked on several occasions to break the law, and he did not report those criminal acts to the proper authorities. That means that Rove knowingly engaged in deliberate cover ups of efforts to subvert the course of justice.
April 23, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of stupid suggestions by stupid people!
You might not make too much of this, but then again, I have a feeling that a Democrat not wearing a flag lapel pin would throw you into apoplectic seizures.
Now take your meds and say goodnight to the nice people here.
April 23, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have no legal background, but I see that if your lawyer start talking for you, is because in some way you are in trouble.
April 23, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Notice the rapidity with which Luskin shot back the answer for Rove. Telling
April 23, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
That rapidity indicates that there is in the public domain proof that the first statement was a lie. These liars don't back-track until they are shown proof that their lie will be revealed.
And that rapidity means that the proof will be pointed out very quickly. Luskin had to get out in front on this story quickly.
April 23, 2008 5:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey! Remember; there are a few missing (in the millions) e-mails from the offal office?
April 23, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like a bona fides conspiracy to me.
Rico charges, anyone?
(Shhhh; I didn't think so.)
April 24, 2008 12:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rove belongs in prison, but don't expect this Department of Justice to lift a finger.
Just another reason to vote for the Democratic candidate in November, even if he or she isn't the one you want.
~
April 24, 2008 8:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody know....why ROVE left the White House?
So many departures?
No answers about "what was the heat" that put Mary "Cheney's perpetually scowling wolverine" Matalin on the resignation band wagon?
April 24, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink