Comments (30)

Robin Boerner wrote on May 16, 2007 6:23 PM:

Along with Gonzales let's clean out the rest of the Patriot Act US Attorney's and replace them with impartial, US Senate confirmed lawyer's for the people again.

I'd like someone to ask Alaska's Patriot Act US Attorney, Nelson Cohen why he is ignoring the trampling of Civil Rights by the US Army of my fiance' John Mitchell. I'd gladly testify at his confirmation hearing.

MakeTheArmyHonest.Com

Please, Madame Speaker Pelosi! Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!

Anonymous wrote on May 16, 2007 7:02 PM:

As far as I'm concerned, this administration is an organized crime syndicate. (The testimony of Mr. Comey about what happened in Ashcroft's hospital room should open some eyes to this!)

Would the Dems really expect Al Cappone to fire his favorite attorney just because Eliot Ness told him to? Would they expect Al Cappone to do ANYTHING they told him to?

The Dems are in danger of proving the Repubs correct when they say Dems are soft on criminals. They certainly are being way to soft on this collection of thugs, thieves, and corrupt politicians.

Anonymous wrote on May 16, 2007 7:12 PM:

Democratics are loathe to use the tool of impeachement..? In case you idiots haven't noticed..its not up to you..its up to us...and you are just standing in the way..... luckily, for the sake of our country, WE are not loathe to vote your worthless asses out next elcetion

observor wrote on May 16, 2007 7:29 PM:

Am I the only one who noticed that Ted Olsen and Gibson, Dunn came up today in the Wolfowitz scandal? And that Olsen was involved in the strange WH meeting after the bizarre Ashcroft hospital visit. Gibson, Dunn, of course, gave Deb Yang the $1.5 million while her office was investigating Jerry Lewis. Do they guys run the country?

observor wrote on May 16, 2007 7:29 PM:

Am I the only one who noticed that Ted Olsen and Gibson, Dunn came up today in the Wolfowitz scandal? And that Olsen was involved in the strange WH meeting after the bizarre Ashcroft hospital visit. Gibson, Dunn, of course, gave Deb Yang the $1.5 million while her office was investigating Jerry Lewis. Do they guys run the country?

observor wrote on May 16, 2007 7:30 PM:

Am I the only one who noticed that Ted Olsen and Gibson, Dunn came up today in the Wolfowitz scandal? And that Olsen was involved in the strange WH meeting after the bizarre Ashcroft hospital visit. Gibson, Dunn, of course, gave Deb Yang the $1.5 million "bonus" while her office was investigating Jerry Lewis. Do they guys run the country?

On the Clock wrote on May 16, 2007 7:37 PM:

I simply cannot imagine the country will endure 18 -- eighteen -- more months of this administration. Time itself, under the leadership of George W. Bush, is the single greatest threat to our national security we face today. Our system of government, 231 years old, crumbles before our eyes.

Codeword: dress. Like a shiv in my back, this codeword appears.

Tentakles wrote on May 16, 2007 7:48 PM:

What is the problem with appointing a special prosecutor? I understand Fitzgerald is available.

Too bad the fired USAs have a conflict of interest.

bill wrote on May 16, 2007 7:52 PM:

loath?

Note: The dems have made a lot of noise but so far it looks like the team put in place to criminally take the 2008 election, and quite probably install a final, Stalinist one-party state will still be there and able to do it.

You think they'll restrain themselves out of concern for appearances? Appearances don't matter once you have all the power, forever.

Democrats need to get past their delicacy of feeling.

Rusty wrote on May 16, 2007 9:31 PM:

Funny thing, I called one of my Senators today to discuss this matter. Sadly, that Senator is Richard Burr. Nonetheless, I wanted to talk to a staff member about Burr's position on Gonzales. I was very surprised by the tone of the conversation. In the words of his "senior" staffer (that was show he identified himself) he was extremely concerned about the the AG's testimony and behavior and said they were watching the situation very closely.

I know this is flacid political speak, but I call Senator Burr's office a lot, and the tone of of this conversation was different from ones I have had in the past. I feel we may see a serious shift from the Republicans in the very near future on Gonzales. This staffer was well versed in the conversation and well prepared for my questions - I think they have been getting a lot of calls about this and the pressure seems to be sinking in.

SC: soap, as in wash it clean

Anonymous wrote on May 16, 2007 10:03 PM:

Posted by: Rusty
Date: May 16, 2007 09:31 PM
Good for you Rusty. You're a great citizen.

Anonymous wrote on May 16, 2007 10:36 PM:

If anyone has a good idea about how AUSAs & DOJ staff attorneys could stage a silent protest next Monday about having to serve under this dishonest Attorney General (like wearing a certain color, etc.), please post your ideas.

Anonymous wrote on May 16, 2007 10:59 PM:

...how AUSAs & DOJ staff attorneys could stage a silent protest next Monday about having to serve under this dishonest Attorney General (like wearing a certain color, etc.)....

Sky blue shirts and blouses as in what will happen when the clouds lift.

Caligirl wrote on May 16, 2007 11:38 PM:

WaPo: Gonzo lied AGAIN! 26 prosecutors were on hit list!
by EZ writer
Wed May 16, 2007 at 07:21:51 PM PDT

More than ONE-FOURTH of US attorneys were considered for firings!
Drip, drip, drip
Coming from WaPo:

--The Justice Department considered dismissing many more U.S. attorneys than officials have previously acknowledged, with at least 26 prosecutors suggested for termination between February 2005 and December 2006, according to sources familiar with documents withheld from the public.

Gonzo testified otherwise LAST WEEK!
Story not online yet, but should be soon at http://www.washingtonpost.com
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/16/213726/992

PJ White wrote on May 17, 2007 12:11 AM:

Why is Congress loath to use the only real power it has against these criminals? At least, LOOK like you care what your constituents think! If you do not act, we will consider you part of the problem, and if this criminal cabal doesn't cancel elections and begin martial law, we will vote you out of office for failing to protect our interests.

Anonymous wrote on May 17, 2007 12:21 AM:

Slightly off topic, but: No immunity for Ralston!

Let's see what a loyal Bushie does under oath this upcoming Wednesday, and then determine if an immunity grant is worth the price of admission (to evidence).

nuncamas wrote on May 17, 2007 1:16 AM:

This Tasia Scolinos person, "spokeswoman for the DOJ" is another Monica. She also needs to be subpoena'ed for her knowledge of stuff that has gone down.

"Range"--as in this thing may "range" quite a ways before we get it figured out. But I think we will, as it seems to range further and further out.

bobh wrote on May 17, 2007 1:36 AM:

Anything from WaPo has to pass a stink test. Sounds like FUD from Rove this time.

CapitalistImperialistPig wrote on May 17, 2007 6:58 AM:

This slow motion, drip, drip, drip is really annoying people. Congress is now less popular than the President.

Many people, and I'm included, are sick of the political maneuvering and just want something to happen - something to end the war, something to throw the worst crooks out.

Those happy with the administration are naturally unhappy with Congress. Those most unhappy with the administration and the war are starting to transfer their frustration to Congress.

If Congress doesn't find some way to get off the dime soon, Democratic control won't outlast 2008.

JNagarya wrote on May 17, 2007 7:14 AM:

"Why is Congress loath to use the only real power it has against these criminals? At least, LOOK like you care what your constituents think! If you do not act, we will consider you part of the problem, and if this criminal cabal doesn't cancel elections and begin martial law, we will vote you out of office for failing to protect our interests.

"Posted by: PJ White
Date: May 17, 2007 12:11 AM"

ASS: Once cannot begin impeachment hearings, let alone actually impeach, without a majority. And to make that majority one needs Republicans on board. Do you see that majority yet? No, you do not.

So stop bashing the Democrats for not doing they are not yet able to do.

Shut your mouth, keep the pressure on your Senator and Representative to impeach, and watch what happens as the increasingly solid facts come out as result of Comey's testimony: when it is clear in the public eye that Republicans can no longer equivocate about the facts and issue, you'll see a jump in the numbers supporting impeachment.

Thankfully, the Democrats know what they're doing. As a close listen confirms, Comey was interviewed about the hospital incident before he publicly testified about it. That means the Congress, at least on the Democratic side, knows a great deal more than us currently being revealed. It would be stupid for them to tell the world -- and the targets of investigation -- everything they know so those in the peanut gallery, such as yourself, can convince themselves that "enough" is happening according to their uninformed estimation.

Unfortunately, you don't know what is happening, and don't know that you don't know, and rather than inform yourself, you speciously bash Democrats.

Stop being an ass.

SC = sleep -- as in, Democrat-bashers are asleep.

hope wrote on May 17, 2007 7:49 AM:

Does anyone know if the approximately 174 emails from/to Kyle Sampson which were withheld by DOJ ever got turned over?

bordersmuggler wrote on May 17, 2007 7:58 AM:

observor

No, you are not the only one who noticed.

Is anyone checking if Ted Olsen/Gibson, Dunn have any involvement with Monica Goodling's defense?

Thinking like Karl Rove, the silencing of Monica Goodling would be worth all the $billions confiscated from Saddam's vaults.

bobh wrote on May 17, 2007 9:05 AM:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Justice Department on Wednesday told an angry Senate Judiciary Committee chairman it does not have documents described in a subpoena that demands all materials relating to Karl Rove's possible involvement in the U.S. attorney firings.

Instead, it said, Rove's lawyer must have them. Rove is the chief political adviser for President Bush.

The response from a top Justice Department official came just hours after the chairman, Vermont Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy and the panel's top Republican, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, chastised Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in a letter for ignoring the subpoena's Tuesday deadline. (Read full story)

"You ignored the subpoena, did not come forward today, did not produce the documents, and did not even offer an explanation for your noncompliance," the two senators wrote in the letter, sent Tuesday night.

"The committee intends to get to the truth."

A top Justice Department official responded Wednesday, saying a further Justice Department search yielded only two documents -- internal communications sent to Rove and others about a planned news conference in New Mexico by dismissed U.S. Attorney David Iglesias.

The newly released memo shows that Rove aide Scott Jennings was concerned about allegations Iglesias was politically pressured to resign.

Jennings told Rove and others he doubted "they can make an allegation such as this go away so easily."

In the subpoena, Leahy had demanded all documents in the possession of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who investigated Rove in connection with the disclosure of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

But Assistant Attorney General Richard Hertling, Gonzales' top link to Congress, told Leahy a search was conducted and turned up nothing.

"None of those records are responsive to the committee's subpoena. The electronic media was returned to Mr. Rove's counsel, Mr. Robert Luskin, in a sealed condition," Hertling said.

Luskin did not return a call from CNN seeking comment on the matter.

The Justice Department response was issued while Gonzales was in San Antonio, Texas, addressing a closed meeting with all 93 of the nation's U.S. attorneys.

Gonzales' deputy, Paul McNulty, had informed those attorneys Monday that he will be resigning this summer. (Full story)

Two other Gonzales aides, counselor Monica Goodling and chief of staff Kyle Sampson, have also resigned over the controversy.

Goodling, who had invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than answer questions about the attorney firings, will appear before a House committee next week, committee leaders said Wednesday.

Goodling is slated to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on May 23. Members voted in April to offer Goodling immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony about the dismissals.

On Wednesday, Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska joined calls for Gonzales to resign while Democrats questioned whether Gonzales had misled a Senate committee about the administration's no-warrant eavesdropping program. (Full story)

Justice officials gave no indication that Gonzales signaled any intention of stepping down.

Gonzales has said he wants to put the controversy behind him, but congressional investigators say the basic question behind the firings -- who decided which prosecutors to fire and why -- have yet to be answered.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/16/rove.documents/index.html

Returned in a sealed condition?

Gregory X wrote on May 17, 2007 9:36 AM:

At this point there must be more than a few Republican Senators who would be willing to get rid of Abu "Fredo" Gonzales. The Justice Department is stinking like a rotting fish and dumping the AG would be a way to show voters they are doing something about it. 21 Republicans are up for re-election in 2008 and they desperately need some way to make themselves look good. If an impeachment motion passes in the House I would expect Abu to resign rather than go through a trial in the Senate, in fact I think Rove would demand it.

Crust wrote on May 17, 2007 10:02 AM:

Short of impeachment, why don't they at least censure Gonzales?

Crust wrote on May 17, 2007 10:08 AM:

Also, any chance that the Texas Bar might disbar Gonzales? Trying to induce a heavily sedated man to sign a legal document in itself should suffice, though there are plenty of other grounds.

scavok wrote on May 17, 2007 10:27 AM:

Shorter Sheldon Whitehouse:

"You have to keep your knee on [Bush's] windpipe until the danger is past." -- Garry Trudeau

Jane wrote on May 17, 2007 4:09 PM:

While impeachment may be unobtainable if Repugs refuse to vote for it announcing to the world that is it off the table is not how to play hardball.

There are two steps: bringing the impeachment in the House where there is a Democratic majority and trying it in the Senate where it is closer unless Repugs are convinced.

Bush and company keep acting as though they think nobody believes that they have done anything wrong despite the list of their crimes.

To change the climate all good citizens need to be voicing outrage over Bush and companies misdeeds. The voters need to see that impeachment is being considered for their crimes and why. This would indicate that they have committed crimes and that serious people are taking this seriously.

SC: Flag -- as run it up the flag pole and see who salutes!

Jane wrote on May 17, 2007 4:09 PM:

While impeachment may be unobtainable if Repugs refuse to vote for it announcing to the world that is it off the table is not how to play hardball.

There are two steps: bringing the impeachment in the House where there is a Democratic majority and trying it in the Senate where it is closer unless Repugs are convinced.

Bush and company keep acting as though they think nobody believes that they have done anything wrong despite the list of their crimes.

To change the climate all good citizens need to be voicing outrage over Bush and companies misdeeds. The voters need to see that impeachment is being considered for their crimes and why. This would indicate that they have committed crimes and that serious people are taking this seriously.

SC: Flag -- as run it up the flag pole and see who salutes!

treebark wrote on May 17, 2007 10:16 PM:

You have the slimest of majorities in the senate yet you expect a progressive agenda. Whithouse was one of the best senators in going after Gonzo
in the hearings. The dems are doing what they can.
Gonzo will not be AG when Bush leaves office!