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Conyers: No More Delays For Rove On US Attorneys Testimony
Another development in the ongoing saga of Karl Rove's long-sought testimony on the US Attorney firings.
House Judiciary chair John Conyers has sent a letter to Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, enclosing a subpoena for Rove to appear before the committee February 23. That date had already been agreed to in a prior exchange of letters late last month.
But things are getting slippery again. Rove had originally been scheduled to appear February 2, but the two sides agreed to a delay, in part thanks to a scheduling conflict on Rove's part.
But apparently, Luskin, in the intervening time, had asked for a second delay. In addition, Rove had announced in a recent speech in California that he didn't intend to appear, citing an executive privilege claimed by President Bush.
In today's letter issuing the subpoena, Conyers informs Luskin that he won't agree to the requested second delay. Conyers writes:
Given Mr. Rove's public statements that he does not intend to comply with the subpoena, I am puzzled as to why Mr. Rove needs a mutually convenient date to fail to appear.
Conyers also writes that he can't accept Luskin's request to have Rove's testimony be limited to the matter of the Don Siegelman case, meaning he would stay mum on the US Attorneys firings.
Next week, the Obama White House is scheduled to formally weigh in on the contempt proceedings currently being brought by Conyers' committee against two other former Bush aides, Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten, for their testimony on the firings. The position the White House takes could well determine whether Rove will ultimately be required to testify by a court -- which is where things seem to be heading.
Josh
Zachary
The idea that anyone can't be made to testify before congress is insulting and absurd.
Rove would be in jail if the corrupt congress were honest.
Another bush legacy joke that Obama needs to stand up to.
And the dumb American people that support rove but can't cut and paste fast enough comments concerning Obama not satisfying the constitution and therefore is not really the president.
Do you really believe a god would have created people???
February 13, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
BREAKING.... Another Sternly Worded Letter (TM).
February 13, 2009 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
But this one contains a subpoena...which is ENTIRELY DIFFERENT from the last subpoena they sent, which Rove used to wipe his ass.
This is all going to come down to whether Obama supports the executive privilege claim. If he doesn't and the DOJ enforces the subpoena, Rove has nowhere to hide.
February 13, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're ignoring the fact that the last time when the DOJ was asked to enforce the subpoena from Congress the DOJ was pleasing Bush and refused. The difference this time is that there is a new DOJ who might enforce the subpoena. So one roadblock in the entire process started by the subpoena may be removed.
Otherwise, you're right. It's just one more useless Congressional subpoena.
February 13, 2009 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Umm....did you read the second paragraph?
February 13, 2009 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
If one reads the letter AND accounts for a President and a Congress that intends to follow the law, one will quickly realize that the stall time has ticked its last tick for Rove. Things will get down to business now and the first layer of the thick muck surrounding the Bush regime will be pealed back for everyone to see. And the Governor they pushed into jail will be as rich as Crocus. Then of course, there will heck to pay for those stupidly fired DOJ lawyers who may come out with a bunch of extra compensation also. Sick em, Congressman Conyers.
February 15, 2009 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
So far Obama's Dept. of Justice has come out in favor of a state secrets doctrine to cover up eight years of official crimes. Maybe it will also back the Republican Secrets Doctrine: any and all inquiries into Republican criminality must be blocked in the interest of executive privilege. Otherwise, a Republican President can't count on getting unvarnished advice and robust assistance when he resolves to commit war crimes and violate numerous federal laws.
Bush's press secretary once said that Bush was "focused on the future." Obama said: "It's time to make sure we get this right going forward." Translation: don't bother him with requests to punish Bush. Yet two thirds of Americans thirst for justice (check out the polls cited on Digby's Hullabaloo).
February 13, 2009 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here we go again...
Conyers Subpoenas Rove, Again
LocustFork.Net
February 13, 2009 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don Siegleman is struggling to pay his defense team, has spent significant time in prison, and his career is in tatters. Karl Rove and Alice Martin have jobs, careers, and no time in prison so far. When the relative positions are as nearly reversed as is possible in this world, we will have made a good start at restoring the America in which I grew up.
February 13, 2009 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
WELL SAID! GOLF CLAP!!
February 15, 2009 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shut up Conyers, you spineless douchebag
February 13, 2009 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Spineless douchebag"? What the hell do YOU intend to do about the situation except bitch and moan from the comfort of your anonymous keyboard?
February 15, 2009 7:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Time for the Department of Justice to live up to its name and enforce the subpoena. Time for Congress to have meaningful review and oversight. Time to make room in federal prison for Karl Rove.
February 13, 2009 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right now my worst fear is the DOJ will somehow side with Bush on this. If the verdict handed down by the DOJ is in any way vague or even worse, supportive of Bush my head will truly explode.
February 14, 2009 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
If I ever have to go to trial for committing a crime I hope Conyers and Pat Leahy are the prosecutor and judge.
February 13, 2009 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
"...I am puzzled as to why Mr. Rove needs a mutually convenient date to fail to appear."
Funny. Reminds me of the famous Mankoff New Yorker cartoon captioned: “No, Thursday’s out. How about never—is never good for you?”
February 13, 2009 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The solution is simple, this is a good task for Biden.
Biden should make a public statement asking Rove (and Myers) to please VOLUNTARILY testify, so we/the country can get this behind us. When they refuse stating (former) executive privilege, then with that big 'ol s*it eating grin Biden can say, "Well, yes, but that was then, and this is now, and please don't make the OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ASK AGAIN.
In short, be civil about it but publicly call them on the carpet and watch 'em squirm! heh
February 15, 2009 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
One more comment;
How can rove freely walk the streets? If I were him I'd be jumping at shadows. Either way, let's hope and pray this chicken comes home to roost right on rove's fat, bald head.
February 15, 2009 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink