Comments (87)

bordersmuggler wrote on May 22, 2007 12:07 PM:

Doesn't a war make it so convenient for avoiding oversight.

TheraP wrote on May 22, 2007 12:11 PM:

I think warming up the grill for another two weeks is a dandy idea!

The more coals on the fire, the better! Bring on the coals! Every day allows for more to come to light.

Strike when the fire is hot - the old saying - is very apt here. Let the grill for gonzo heat up!

some dude named steevo wrote on May 22, 2007 12:12 PM:

I knew it... Thanks for the update, I was searching for news about this all day yesterday.

Cowboy wrote on May 22, 2007 12:15 PM:

If McConnell want's to tie his political fortunes to this president and this attorney general, so be it. Americans and Kentuckians take note.

laura wrote on May 22, 2007 12:15 PM:

I think it's a good move. If Gonzo gets out before the recess, makes it easier to fill his shoes while congress is out of town with a recess appointment of Dubya's choosing. Good strategy. Also, let's see what Miss Monica has to say to solidify the position.

peaceweaver wrote on May 22, 2007 12:19 PM:

Forget the no confidence vote. IMPEACH Gonzales!

If they can draw up non-binding resolutions, why can't they draw up articles of impeachment? How different are the two processes? Hey if its all about theater, at least make it interesting!

unpoetaloco wrote on May 22, 2007 12:24 PM:

Some please explain something to me. I'm an avid watcher of congressional politics, but not an expert on Parliamentary Procedure. Why is it we hear so much about the Republicans' maneuvering, but we heard about little (if any) by the Dems when they were the minority?

Sholom wrote on May 22, 2007 12:30 PM:

Re: impeaching Gonzales

You need 67 votes. And so you must build up the view, turn up the heat, put political pressure on the GOP Senators, step-by-step. Patience must be exercized.

And so, a historic (albeit non-binding) no-confidence vote first.

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 12:33 PM:

unpoetaloco:

Dems have a much slimer majority than did the Republicans had.

TheraP wrote on May 22, 2007 12:34 PM:

Difference between no-confidence and impeachment. Impeachment takes both houses. Takes a long time. And you'd be starting in the House, which is always more of a wild card than the senate.

No confidence, you can do it in either body. And it's an opportunity to test the waters. If the waters are hot enough, there's no need for impeachment - resignation would occur. OR impeachment would stand a better change.

mo2 wrote on May 22, 2007 12:37 PM:

I would also like to know what the minority party maneuvering is. What is the Republican minority able to do?

The answer lies partially in the make-up of the Senate; Republicans had a larger majority in the past:
109th Congress = 55-R, 44-D, 1-I
110th Congress = 49-R, 49-D, 1-I and 1 Lieberman.

R=Republican, D=Democrat and I=Independent

Wahoo wrote on May 22, 2007 12:38 PM:

Political theatre - just like GWB says. We elected a house majority and parity in the Senate to stop these clowns and all we are getting is political theatre from a bunch of (Democratic) clowns who are much more interested in personal posturing and PAC donations than they are in actually doing what they were elected to do.

START impeachment proceedings
STOP funding the war

Simple . . .

jayjaybear wrote on May 22, 2007 12:38 PM:

unpoetaloco:

When the Republicans were in the majority, they rewrote the procedural rules to be very tight. The minority really didn't have a lot of room to maneuver under them.

The Democrats loosened those rules, in an effort not to look like they were running roughshod over the minority.

Our greatest weakness seems to be that we think fairness is important. I agree that it is, but it really does make things more difficult.

John wrote on May 22, 2007 12:40 PM:

The Goodling testimony tomorrow might change everything. Impeachment might turn out to be a no-brainer.

mo2 wrote on May 22, 2007 12:58 PM:

Every time Oil Cheney leaves the country or flies to Wyoming, the Senate should force a vote that Lieberman will vote with Rs on, so that Cheney has to fly back to cast the tie-breaking vote.

Uli Kunkel wrote on May 22, 2007 1:04 PM:

"...all we are getting is political theatre from a bunch of (Democratic) clowns..."

Yeah! What we really want is a magic show: "Do you see a magic wand in my pocket?"

attack wrote on May 22, 2007 1:13 PM:

I hope that Monica is asked about the NAIS connections tomorrow.

"Another Reason for MONICA GOODLING to Plead the Fifth" http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/30/03241/2444

Busta wrote on May 22, 2007 1:17 PM:

I'm not holding my breath to hear Lt. Colonel Monica Goodling do any singing. My money's on her coming down with a sudden case of Gonzo-style amnesia. And then walking away scot-free.

Justice is dead.

budfox wrote on May 22, 2007 1:26 PM:

I don't have much confidence in the Dems doing much of anything as far as USA-Gate goes. Rove knows the Dems lack the instinct to go for the juggler in these kinds of situations.

My money is on ultimately nothing really concrete come out of this.

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 1:29 PM:

I think the White House is bracing itself for Goodling. I think her testimony is going to be a bombshell.

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 1:33 PM:

Goodling has every incentive to own up to as much as she possibly can. Her immunity does not protect her from prosecution for providing false testimony (ironically, since her initial explanation for asserting the 5th was that the testimony would be a "perjury trap"). I think the Dems are just getting all the pieces in place to act quickly after she folds. In addition to the no confidence vote planning, notice that the Senate Jud. Cmt. has a meeting scheduled for Thursday to consider additional subpoenas related to this matter. Probably not a coincidence.

douglas wrote on May 22, 2007 1:38 PM:

The vote will never happen. They don't have the 60 votes to bring it to the floor, just like they didn't have the 60 votes to bring the Iraq vote there. I don't know where you're counting your numbers but there aren't Specter and 6 other Goopers supporting the bill. Specter has NEVER said he would support it, tho he's talked around it like crazy, but we've seen that act before. Coburn has already said he won't support it and how you think that McCain, who wasn't even around for a cloture vote on a bill he sponsored, will fly in to support a vote of no-confidence is beyond me. So that's 3 gone. Add to them Lieberman and Ben (I got a 64% approval rating but I'm still scared) and you've lost 5. Johnson is still out sick, so that's 6. So by my math that's 51 plus 3 minus another 3, giving you...51.

Unless you see 9 votes somewhere that I'm not counting, the vote ain't gonna happen.

It's time that Reid reined in Bigmouth Schumer (Yeah, my Senator and yours too, Josh) before he goes out and spouts some action that he can't deliver on

Expat wrote on May 22, 2007 1:45 PM:

Once again the Democrats are out manuvered by the Republicans. The Democrats in Congress are far to timid, complicit and cowardly to exercise their Constitutional responsibilities. It's an outrage.. As far as Goodling, she will most likely stall, have lapses of memory and prevaricate, the typical Republican m.o.. What will the Democrats do about it? Send another letter expressing their "concern?" The Democrats think they are playing a gentleman's game when in fact they are in a back alley brawl. And by the looks of things the Dems are having their asses handed to them. Pathetic

bw wrote on May 22, 2007 1:48 PM:

Why don't we start a roll call on senators and their position on Gonzales, put them on the record.

mo2 wrote on May 22, 2007 1:49 PM:

My favorite past TPM quote:

"Monica Goodling is devoutly religious, which is to say she cannot tell right from wrong."

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 1:53 PM:

A filibuster sounds like a great idea. The Dems could join in and go 24-7 on the corruption in the Justice Department and conspiriacy to deprive black Americans their right to vote. Also, the war funding and the rush-rush immigration bill would get pushed aside.

Also, no recess.

Works for me.

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 1:58 PM:

Don't forget the Indian gaming USA Purge connections in that filibuster that was mentioned in an earlier post (dailykos diary link).

MSM loves a Gambino Family connection....

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 1:58 PM:

Anyone that thinks Goodling's testimony is going to be a "bombshell" is suffering from that Republican trait known as delusionism. She is a true believer that subscribes to the extremeist fundamentalist tenet that a lie that serves a greater good is not a lie. That greater good is a theocratic society with a strong male leader at the helm of the ship of state. Too many people have been saying during the course of on going investigations "just wait till ______________(fill in the blank) testifies then the whole house of cards will come tumbling down." It hasn't happened and from past experience is not likely to happen in the future. Goodling and her masters know that even if she lies or her testimony is less than forthcoming the Democrats lack the courage to inflict any punishment despite their grant of immunity. The Republicans on the Committee will rally to her and the Administrations defence. This will play well in a corrupted and compromised media. The Democrats are out manuvered at every step and lack the righteous indignation this Administration has engendered in the public at large.

jeffgee wrote on May 22, 2007 2:07 PM:

Is the Goodling testimony tomorrow going to be on C-SPAN?

Expat wrote on May 22, 2007 2:07 PM:

Does anyone actually think that the Bush Administration would let Monica Goodling testify before Congress if they were affraid of that testimony? There are enough fanatics in the new fascist wing of the Republican Party whose only goal in life is to follow orders that if her testimony were a threat Monica would conveniently be "unavailable." The WH knows she is a good and loyal soldier that will do what is necessary to protect her Chimpenfuhrer.

Mike Valentine wrote on May 22, 2007 2:15 PM:

Take of the effen gloves.

Mike Valentine wrote on May 22, 2007 2:17 PM:

Take off the effen gloves. The time for civility is over.

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 2:19 PM:

Is the Goodling testimony tomorrow going to be on C-SPAN?
Posted by: jeffgee

10:15 CSPAN3. Be there or be square.

Mike Valentine wrote on May 22, 2007 2:22 PM:

Take off the effen gloves. The time for civility is over.

Make the Republicans look tied to the Bush Crime Administration. The more Republicans are tied to that sinking ship the better.

Unless the Republicans smarten up the whole party is at risk. Not that I would mind.

jeffgee wrote on May 22, 2007 2:34 PM:

THAT will be some political theater. Let's see if the mean ol' dimmocrats can make her cry. She'll be the martyred Monica for the tighty-righties.
After tomorrow, we should have more photos to work with. The only photo I've seen was the one with Monica wearing the Ralph Lauren t-shirt at a Regency picnic.

Namtillaku wrote on May 22, 2007 2:49 PM:

No confidence vote.

THIS is what your vote bought you. MY vote was to end the war in Iraq, to throw off the gloves on global warming, not for more congressional masturbation.

What a joke.

EdNSted wrote on May 22, 2007 2:51 PM:

Well, a lot really does come down to Ms. Goodling's testimony tomorrow. I'm seeing two distinct possibilities: (1) Ms. Goodling's names names and delivers the goods in exchange for immunity. This would absolutely change things. I'm not betting on this outcome, however. Or, (2) the Committee has just fallen for the old Oliver North bait-and-switch-immunity trick. Ms. Goodling falls on her own sword and delivers squat.

My cynical/pragmatic nature tells me outcome (2) is much more likely. If so, then that would pretty much be the end of the line for this 'oversight'.

May the Committee prove me completely wrong tomorrow.

Sharon A wrote on May 22, 2007 2:52 PM:

Congress should remain in session and not go on recess.

TheraP wrote on May 22, 2007 3:03 PM:

Sharon A, I'm with you. Why they went on an Easter recess was beyond me? And of course the predictable happened.

Recess appointments, we can predict. And prevent.

But the Goodling testimony tomorrow - is not predictable. Some have hopes. And some are certain there is no hope. But the truth is that tomorrow we will find out - and today it's nothing but placing bets or prayers.

Word is "expert." And yes, those are my "expert" opinions.

Steve5117 wrote on May 22, 2007 3:26 PM:

Twas the night before Goodling would talk on the stand, and citizens were wondering all over this land... will she speak the truth or will she lie? Will she evade like Gonzales or will she cry?

News Flash .... Kimberly-Clark sending 10 trailer loads of bathroom tissue to Washington, D.C. at request of RNC for members who may shit themselves over Monica Goodlings testimomy. When asked why so many rolls were ordered, a RNC spokesperson who asked not to be identifed said, "Republicans are so full of shit today, that we felt it may be necessary."

Just kidding

IF she does cry, can I see her tears on HDTV?

Come on Wednesday....

Namtillaku wrote on May 22, 2007 3:31 PM:

Twas the night before Goodling would talk on the stand, and citizens were wondering all over this land... will she speak the truth or will she lie? Will she evade like Gonzales or will she cry?

It doesn't matter. This is entertainment for the masses, it will accomplish nothing substantive.

wind wrote on May 22, 2007 3:35 PM:

"Monica "Refuses" to turn over documents"

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/22/135820/983

I'm not sure how this is going to play out. Any ideas???

Steve5117 wrote on May 22, 2007 3:37 PM:

Namtillaku

I needed the comic relief and maybe we all need to vent some anger. I do not believe in volence so instead of punching a repug in the nose I wrote a funny.

Hey Jon Stewart, need any writers?

bordersmuggler wrote on May 22, 2007 3:46 PM:

It's most likely that Monica's handlers have her scripted to perform the O. North maneuver, but if someone happens to slip a mention of her beau Johnny A., she could become unhinged and let loose the torrent of a jilted vixen.

If no one on the committee have the gonads to provoke her in this fashion, it will be a bitter disappointment.

Namtillaku wrote on May 22, 2007 4:37 PM:

Steve - I know, I guess I'm just not feeling very lighthearted about how congress is behaving these days.

I hope you don't take it as a dig to you, it wasn't intended that way. I saw a commercial last night for a Bill Maher(?) special, where he says he's pissed that people aren't more pissed, and I couldn't be in more agreement with any other sentiment these days - hence why I'm pissed.

moondancer wrote on May 22, 2007 4:40 PM:

Isnt her immunity contigent on her cooperation? Stonewall equals criminal vulnarablilty... I wxpect a nice little aria from monica

Steve5117 wrote on May 22, 2007 4:50 PM:

Namtillaku

I understand and I have to keep reminding myself that..."Tis better to pissed off than pissed on".

CNN just reported Liberty U student was ready to use explosive device to stop protesters at Falwell's funeral.....

FOR REAL

Steve5117 wrote on May 22, 2007 4:54 PM:

Namtillaku

I understand and I have to keep reminding myself that..."Tis better to pissed off than pissed on".

CNN just reported Liberty U student was ready to use explosive device to stop protesters at Falwell's funeral.....

FOR REAL

Steve5117 wrote on May 22, 2007 5:06 PM:

Liberty student charged with making explosive device

http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6553431&nav=S6aK

UnEasyOne wrote on May 22, 2007 5:12 PM:

There are plenty of good reasons to be frustrated with the Dems in congress - "failure to impeach" isn't one of them. Shalom, mo2 and douglas have a handle on the political realities - some others seem to think that the slimmist possible majority can be exercised as if it was 70 solid (Senate) votes.

These investigations are key. As one smoking gun after another emerges, pressure mounts on craven rethugs who only care about their own skins. Remember, they have known that Gonzo was trying to steal our democracy all along; they expected to benifit from it. Only when public opinion is aroused by more and more outrageous exposures like Gonzo's midnight ride (which resonates with the general public because everyone can relate to a case of evil connivers trying to force someone in the ICU to sign nefarious documents - Snidely Whiplash anyone?) will the creeps "find Jesus" and force the $#%@$% out.

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 6:21 PM:

Has anyone decided to refuse to be governed yet?

I believe it is coming to that.

Think about it.

Richard L. Adlof wrote on May 22, 2007 6:22 PM:

unpoetaloco @ May 22, 2007 12:24 PM,

The other elephant in the room (besides the margins and procedures listed above) is the Corporate Controlled Media. Media reporting combined with FOX Opinioncast/American Idol honed (blunted) lack-of-attention spans makes any weakness against the Dems good veiwing.

That is why Edwards has hair styling based barages. That is why Hillary garners 'shrill' and 'Bill'. That is why the legal scholar Obama is a 'rock-star.

Yawn wrote on May 22, 2007 6:28 PM:

It seems to me that it's rare and unprecendented because there's no constitutional basis for it. Do something useful already, Congress!

Anonymous wrote on May 22, 2007 10:19 PM:

"Forget the no confidence vote. IMPEACH Gonzales!"

There aren't sufficient votes.

"If they can draw up non-binding resolutions, why can't they draw up articles of impeachment?"

It's premature. And, there aren't yet sufficent votes.

"How different are the two processes? Hey if its all about theater, at least make it interesting!"

The vote of no-confidence is non-binding. It is a "sense of the Seante" -- and puts the Republicans on the spot.

Impeachment -- which begins in the House -- is an indictment.

"Posted by: peaceweaver
Date: May 22, 2007 12:19 PM"

JNagarya wrote on May 22, 2007 10:35 PM:

"Does anyone actually think that the Bush Administration would let Monica Goodling testify before Congress if they were affraid of that testimony? There are enough fanatics in the new fascist wing of the Republican Party whose only goal in life is to follow orders that if her testimony were a threat Monica would conveniently be "unavailable." The WH knows she is a good and loyal soldier that will do what is necessary to protect her Chimpenfuhrer.

"Posted by: Expat
Date: May 22, 2007 02:07 PM"

If that were true, we wouldn't have heard from Comey.

JNagarya wrote on May 22, 2007 10:41 PM:

"No confidence vote.

"THIS is what your vote bought you. MY vote was to end the war in Iraq, to throw off the gloves on global warming, not for more congressional masturbation.

"What a joke.

"Posted by: Namtillaku
Date: May 22, 2007 02:49 PM"

I'm really getting tired of uninformed members of the peanut gallery such as you.

Or those who simply ignore reality in order to throw tantrums.

The Senate is 49R-49D-1I. There aren't yet enough votes for what you demand.

SC = wind. As in, You are pronouncing a wind-egg.

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