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Schlozman Set To Testify On Firings And Political Hirings
Former number two at the Department of Justice, Bradley Schlozman, faces off with the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow. We’ll be watching his testimony closely. In the meantime, here’s a preview:
Schlozman is known for cherry picking hard-line Republicans for career positions at the Justice Department as part of the Bush administration’s aggressive reshaping of the Civil Rights Division.
Some of his testimony will likely be similar to what we heard Monica Goodling recount before the House Judiciary Committee two weeks ago. The former White House liaison to the Justice Department admitted to “crossing the line” in using political criteria to select career lawyers in the department. An internal Justice Department probe is now looking at the issue of political hiring.
Schlozman is also expected to testify to his involvement in the firing of the nine U.S. Attorneys. The firings testimony should be particularly interesting because, as you may recall, Schlozman took over as the U.S. Attorney in Kansas City when Todd Graves was pushed out in January. Graves had been uncooperative in bringing a voter-fraud lawsuit against the state just before he was asked to leave. A little-known piece of the Patriot Act allowed Schlozman to take over as an indefinite interim U.S. attorney without facing the scrutiny of the confirmation process. Once in place, just days before an election, Schlozman filed highly questionable voter-fraud charges against four voter registration organizers. The decision was in direct conflict with Justice Department policy not to bring such prosecutions before an election as to avoid a chilling effect on voting.
Schlozman initially put off the committee’s request for his testimony, due to a planned vacation. Hopefully he’s well-rested and ready to talk.
Comments (51)
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 3:00 PM:Smart move by Schlozman's handlers for him to take a vacation. I get the feeling what little interest the public had in this scandal has quickly dissipated. Here's to hoping there are some fireworks with high pitched Schlozie freaking out. It would be nice if at least one Dem called him out for the racist tactics he implemented. Just flat out call him a racist scumbag.
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 3:06 PM:There was a NPR story about Schlozman a month or so ago where one of his employees said Schlozman forced him to falsify some records. Hope someone asks him about that.
JL wrote on June 4, 2007 3:17 PM:I just thought of something:
The repubs on the HSJ have often called this "political theater", mimicking the party TP on this matter. It is "just a show", blah blah blah. Well, if the Congressional dems don't step up the pressue, (ie start impeachment of AGAG) then , this is in fact just "theater." A way to say "see we looked into it."
Everyone blames the MSM (including myself), but this has a lot to do with the fact that the dems don't seem to have the balls to step up to the plate.
Forget the public outcry, just do the right thing!!!!
SC=weight: weighting for godot
ihatebeets wrote on June 4, 2007 3:23 PM:Let's see how Schlotzman's and Goodling's stories compare - she had immunity, so she could say she "crossed the line" with impugnity and I don't know if he can confess to the same without consequence. I truly hope the Dems come at him with some firepower. Lord knows there's plenty to ask him about.
Bill O'Neil wrote on June 4, 2007 3:27 PM:My comments on May 29 to dkos are applicable, IMHO.
"Re: congress critters' questions in hearings...
The Dems have GOT to realize that they need to use NOT "have you ever talked to..." but "did you ever have ANY contact - either by receipt of, or originated by, or forwarded by, you or others - electronic, direct oral, written or typed note, phone call, or ANY other form of communication...with (insert name last)" The republics are soooo well coached that they are very, very specific in how they respond. The Dems need a universal meme so as not to let the bums weasel out by parsing terms so narrowly. I was quite disappointed with the Conyers panel's questioning and follow-ups of Monica Goodling. Grrrr!
Ducky wrote on June 4, 2007 3:44 PM:He has had plenty of time to make sure his story matches. I'll bet his vacation was nothing but a rehearsal of for the show "get your story straight" I have very little hope left.
Perhaps the citizens of Vermont that are discussing succession have it right. Fix the empire by taking it apart piece by piece.
Oliver wrote on June 4, 2007 4:12 PM:I've lost confidence, and I never should have had any, in the ability of the Democratic Party to fix the mess the Republican Party has made. I was wrong to ever think that would happen, because so many on both sides of the aisle in actuality are members of the Money Party. Remember, no matter what words come out of a politician's mouth, his real boss consists of the wealthy persons and companies who bought him the election. No matter who you are, you're the beeyatch of whomever pays you the most.
JNagarya wrote on June 4, 2007 4:44 PM:"I've lost confidence, and I never should have had any, in the ability of the Democratic Party to fix the mess the Republican Party has made. I was wrong to ever think that would happen, because so many on both sides of the aisle in actuality are members of the Money Party. Remember, no matter what words come out of a politician's mouth, his real boss consists of the wealthy persons and companies who bought him the election. No matter who you are, you're the beeyatch of whomever pays you the most.
"Posted by: Oliver
Date: June 4, 2007 04:12 PM"
The first-timer Democrats in the House succeeded in their efforts to pass an ethics bill with teeth, against the "old boy" Democrats. Those facts refute your fashinonably cynical generalization.
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 4:47 PM:I just hope Schlozmania is more than five hours of "I respectfully decline to answer on the grounds that it may tend to incriminate me".
jimbo92107 wrote on June 4, 2007 4:49 PM:How about asking these weasels the most obvious question of all:
"Are you or have you been attempting to conceal illegal, legally questionable, improper or unethical activities by omitting details in your testimony?"
That's sure to get 'em to cop the 5th.
Oliver wrote on June 4, 2007 4:57 PM:@ JNagarya
My cynicism is my own.
As for the effectiveness of that "ethics bill with teeth", I guess they missed the earmarks. Right? 'Cause they're back at it again with those.
diane wrote on June 4, 2007 5:14 PM:I'm confused. I thought Kyle Sampson was "number 2"...I'm beginning to feel like there are as many "number 2" guys at the Justice Department as there are in Al Quada (you know, how many of the "number 2" guys have we captured/killed in Iraq??) Just what is the chain of command? Or is that to convoluted to explain?
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 5:36 PM:Posted by: Oliver
Date: June 4, 2007 04:57 PM
I for one share your cynicism Oliver and feel it is completely warranted. I have little hope the Dems have any intention of trying in any meaningful way to undo the damage the Republicans have done. That's not to say that I don't greatly prefer the Dems to the Republicans however. But I think the American Dream is dead. Too much damage has been done and the hurdles are now too high to overcome. This nation is fucked. The robber barons won.
BaVa wrote on June 4, 2007 5:49 PM:When is Todd Graves testifiying? I thought that was tomorow also. Let's hope that the SJC forgets the grandstanding and asks the right questions. Sen. Whitehouse knows exactly what's up and will not let it go. Don't despair. Not yet.
Steve5117 wrote on June 4, 2007 6:09 PM:Both Todd and Bradley are scheduled...
mo2 wrote on June 4, 2007 6:27 PM:DKOS had said that Graves is expected to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, June 5. Will they interview Bradley Schlozman on the same day?
Oversight chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) called on Lurita Doan to testify on Thursday, June 7.
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 6:29 PM:There is STILL a difference between the Democrats and Republicans, but the Democrats are working tirelessly at closing the gap.
mo2 wrote on June 4, 2007 6:31 PM:A person can even say "Democrats are working" with a straight face - as opposed to the six-year hiatus the pukes took from governing responsibly.
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 8:45 PM:Testimony drinking game:
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2007 8:47 PM:One shot for every "I don't recall."
One shot for every invocation of the 5th.
Testimony drinking game:
sarah wrote on June 4, 2007 9:12 PM:One shot for every "I don't recall."
One shot for every invocation of the 5th.
So there is still reason to be hopeful, even if the sheer bankruptcy of American politics has descended to new lows of yet deeper disappointment. The public will grow weary. The next president will end the war, or Congress, always two steps behind the people, will finally assert its prerogatives, just as it did - also far, far too late - over Vietnam. Bush will be gone and so will his war.
Paul Rosenberg wrote on June 5, 2007 12:21 AM:http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/7842/print
The fashionable cynics on this page seem to forget that back in the 1960s (1) it was the Democrats who got us thoroughly enmeshed in Vietnam, and (2) it was the Democratic Party that was chock full of Southern racists. In short, the Democratic Party was deeply compromised in ways that aren't even imagineable today.
This is not to diminish what we're up against today. It's just to say that there was no golden age that we have somehow lost. History is made by those who don't give up.
If Denmark Vessey, Gabriel Prosser and Nat Turner didn't give up, what gives us the right to???
Get a grip.
Earvolution wrote on June 5, 2007 10:51 AM:Schlozman wasn't "Former number two at the Department of Justice" - he was a special assistant to Larry Thompson when Thompson was the number two at DOJ.
molly wrote on June 5, 2007 1:21 PM:Paul rosenberg...Like history is made by those who don't give up. Wrote it down for my own personal use. Thank you..WE need to hear words like that. I think that when we give up hope, the fascists who run our govt. and many others high five each other and say "Mission accomplished." Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid looked like hell when they announced funding to continue the war. We mustn't forget Wellstone died and Daschule and Lehey were anthraxed. Know your enemy.
Spencer's Mom wrote on June 5, 2007 2:13 PM:Can someone PLEASE tell me if this hearing is being televised? CSPAN-something?
Thanks!
code word: smell, as in a rat!
PEACE
Steve5117 wrote on June 5, 2007 2:18 PM:C-Span 3 @ 2:30
Mike Valentine wrote on June 5, 2007 2:18 PM:If the Republicans don't lead the call for impeachment of the A.G. then it will not happen. But the Republicans are getting antsy and feeling heat from the folks back home. Enough of them are up for reelection next year and the people are restless.
Will there be a Wicker like figure for attorney-gate? If the Republicans don't repudiate Bush the party is history.
Mike Valentine wrote on June 5, 2007 2:19 PM:If the Republicans don't lead the call for impeachment of the A.G. then it will not happen. But the Republicans are getting antsy and feeling heat from the folks back home. Enough of them are up for reelection next year and the people are restless.
Will there be a Wicker like figure for attorney-gate? If the Republicans don't repudiate Bush the party is history.
Anonymous wrote on June 5, 2007 2:37 PM:Out of the box, 15 sec. into hearing, Leahy snarls at Bush for "delays"..Leahy angry tone..frowning...
Anonymous wrote on June 5, 2007 2:40 PM:Anybody know who is the devil-ish looking guy behind Schlozman 's right ( viewer left) shoulder???
Anonymous wrote on June 5, 2007 2:44 PM:My god...Schlozman's voice sounds like Richard Dreyfuss on helium...
Bush LIPS sink ships. wrote on June 5, 2007 2:49 PM:Where DO they get all these cartoon people????
The word on the street is, wrt Congress: BALLS OUT!
Foot: take that foot out of your mouth, and use it to give a swift kick to Schlozman's arse.
Samsara wrote on June 5, 2007 2:49 PM:Horn blowing with a kazoo. Leahy is not going to buy any of this. Wow. Leahy is taking no BS from this boy wonder.
Samsara wrote on June 5, 2007 2:58 PM:Yes, Senator Leahy... he is AMAZING. This guy is going to be a great poster boy for the sniveling boot lickers who rise to the top under AGAG.
free wrote on June 5, 2007 3:02 PM:Schumer is nailing him on the resume questions!!
Louise wrote on June 5, 2007 3:04 PM:I had to stop watching during Schlotzman's self-aggrandizing opening statement. I take it Sen Leahy is having none of it?
bent wrote on June 5, 2007 3:04 PM:GO Schumer!!
Anonymous wrote on June 5, 2007 3:06 PM:Schlozman quickly has entered into the infamous
Samsara wrote on June 5, 2007 3:07 PM:"I can't recall" territory.
And Schumer is a bull terrier on this..keeps yanking
Schlozman right back to the question. Not putting up with ANY BSW...
and here comes Whitehouse...another bull terrier.
Schumer tore him a new one, Whithoues is doing the same.
Steve5117 wrote on June 5, 2007 3:10 PM:Dance, Bradley, dance!!
Steve5117 wrote on June 5, 2007 3:43 PM:Did you see the way Dianne smirked? Then a recess??
Stay tuned....
Anyody want to share a pizza?
Chaunce wrote on June 5, 2007 3:46 PM:I've only caught the last half-hour or so, but where are the Republican committee members?
Spencer's Mom wrote on June 5, 2007 3:54 PM:Between Bradley and Monica, I think we have the voice-overs for Mickey and Minnie Mouse!
And given Disney's complicity with the GOP (remember their fictional "Road to 9/11"), maybe they are providing the post-admin jobs.
Gonzo as Goofy, Rove as Cruella DeVille (he's LOVE a coat made out of puppy skins!), Cheney as Captain Hook and, of course, Bush for...wait for it...
DOPEY!
The balance of the GOP would be Dumbo the flying elephant, but he was such a sweet character I couldn't defile his memory with such idiots.
PEACE
bobbys wrote on June 5, 2007 4:18 PM:How come they all sound like they have been inhaling helium? Maybe its a cult thing...
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