While we wait for testimony to begin again, Raw Story
has this:
Weeks after the White House ruled out the involvement of President George W. Bush in any discussions on the firing of 8 US Attorneys, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said on Thursday morning that the President had discussed the matter with advisers in an October 2006 meeting.
"I've now been made aware of the fact that there was a conversation with the President that basically mentioned the same thing in October of 2006," the Attorney General said while answering a question from Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA).
"The same thing" referred to voter fraud cases in three US Attorneys' districts, which Gonzales earlier acknowledged had been raised by Karl Rove in a meeting "sometime in the Fall of 2006."
Gonzales' statement varied from remarks by White House spokespersons that the President had not been involved in any discussions of firing US Attorneys.
"I have said on the record for several weeks now that there is no indication that the President knew about any of the ongoing discussions over the two years, nor did he see a list or a plan before it was carried out," said White House Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino on March 27, 2006.
Furthermore, in a March 21 press briefing, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow had been asked about a Nov. 15, 2006 e-mail from former Gonzales chief of staff D. Kyle Sampson to former White House Counsel Harriet Miers asking "Who will determine whether this requires the President's attention?"
Snow was then asked "did the President have to sign off on this?" referring to the firing of the Attorneys, to which he responded, "The President has no recollection of this ever being raised with him."
A reporter later clarified, "Just to follow, did you say, again for the record, that the President has no recollection of ever being asked about any of this?"
Snow answered, "Yes, the removal – yes, that is correct."
I actually have sympathy for Abu and his elaborate work of fiction. When you're lying all the time it gets damn hard to keep your stories straight.
Related posts:
- Senate, NPR Torture Reports Both Include Alberto Gonzales
- Fredo Talks! Gonzales Advocates for an Independent AG
- Fredo Redo: AGAG Doesn’t Recall What He Said Monday
- When and To What Degree Was John Ashcroft Read Into the Illegal Surveillance Program?
- The Continuing Adventures of Jesus II and his fan club
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NIL.
zed!
[singsong] “I gotta be me….”
Jane Fonda on Colbert: We shouldn’t elect leaders who are afraid of premature evacuation…
*rimshot*
I know this is very OT, but did anyone happen to watch the Education Committee hearing with Ed. Sec. Spellings about the student loan scandals? Just wondering what you all thought about that.
one
I’m giddy as a schoolgirl that I get to see Tony Snow in the break here in Germany! woohoo!! It sounded like Dana P. was asking some harsh questions in the beginning…
Iglesias: ‘All roads lead to Rove.’
..or not zed, that is the question. Whether it is…oh, never mind.
Have been out for this morning’s episode of Attorney General on a spit.
Didn’t anyone brief Gonzales on Jerome K. Jerome?
Apparently, no one did, and quite apparently, Abu G is not even a moderately gifted liar.
If they gave Abu a lie detector test, the machine would blow up.
Murray Waas RULES: Administration Withheld E-Mails About Rove
I for one, want to keep the AG right where he is. Notice how the Rumsfeld replacement (though no change in policy) has tamped the pressure and public perception.
would some enterprising young reporter please ask Dana who ordered the removal of these fine Republican U.S. Attorneys? Since only the President can remove them by law, perhaps he should be a bit perturbed that someone usurped his authority.
Lou Costello @ 8
The Rise & Fall of the Rovian Empire,
and we are watching it live, on TV,
day after day
as we go ever down
TiredFed @ 13
I was thinking something along the same lines. Or said differently, do Goodling and Sampson channel the pleasure of the President?
Smells like Pompei.
-GSD
TiredFed @ 13
Nah, he’s too busy playing Alfred E Neuman.
Englischlehrer @ 7
Will the German journalists pelt him with serious questions? Please tell.
Libby didn’t come clean and neither will Gonzales. Oh that weak link. Got to find it.
Pootie calls Clusterfuck a Nazi—
Blair to leave office because of his relationship to Clusterfuck..
PSST- World leaders- don’t be seen with this guy- it’s bad fer yer health.
Here’s the deal. Get Rove.
dakine01 @ 17
The MSM reporter, or Bush?
TiredFed @ 13
Preznit will only answer %&*&&* is doing a heckuva job.
Tony Snow on his death bed still lyin an shillin fer the Clusterfucker- pathetic.
wow – the ‘march to nixon’ metaphor idea comes up for SNow to handle in today’s gaggle. He’s been swatting and flailing for about 20 min on this issue alone, I think.
I got my first life lesson in this from a pretty young lady in Houston many years ago who decided she had to weave a web of lies and half-truths to deal with a variety of paramours that she was stringing along at the time. Boy, did she get mad when I called her on it.
Bob in HI
the criminal bush administration stripped bare: wether we lie or not, wheter you catch us or not, we don’t care. we will continue to do what we want. because we know you don’t have the stomach to do what you have to do about removing us.
this isn’t government. this is hostage-taking.
It is getting more maddening as the days go by. I’m an impatient sort and when I see Alberto’s smarmy non-answers, I see open defiance of congress AND the law.
I didn’t think subpoenas were “optional.”
I think Wexler read the Waas article. And then laid a very neat perjury trap for Abu.
He made Abu say over and over that he did not know who added the names to Kyle’s list. When withheld docs will show that he did know.
Jane, how does one combat a political movement that believes subverting the process is a badge of honor? The last 40 years of the history of the Republican Party has been one long attempt to seize and maximize power by any means available.
Let me just say how much I love love love live-blogging days at firedoglake! It’s sort of like listening to a radio announcer giving play-by-play of a boxing match.
Some days I feel like we’re going to prevail after all.
Thank you everyone.
Hi Jane! Great live-blogging, thanks.
“I actually have sympathy for Abu and his elaborate work of fiction. When you’re lying all the time it gets damn hard to keep your stories straight”
So, who’s lying ? Abu, Snow, Perino, Bush…?
Oh yeah, all of ‘em.
Lou Costello @ 8
folowwing through there to:
[my bold]
Iglesias
Looks like we’ve got another funding bill on it’s way from congress- and Clusterfuck has already said he’ll veto it.
How’re the poor troops gonna get their money Mr. President?
KirkMurphy @ 22 asks:
Bush. I mean he already has the “What, me worry?” bit down pat.
At one point a bit earlier in testimony for an R Gonzo said, “No, it’s a bit liberating for me, in terms of going forward.” I wasn’t exactly paying attention to the question, but if he meant it the way I take it…
I hated that sound of that.
Has anyone e-mailed or faxed Marcy’s questions to Debbie Wasserman Schultz?
What does it take to fire (impeach) Gonzo.. I mean come on!
RonD @ 30
Educate the people.
Elect your own people.
Clean up the damage.
Watch ‘em like a hawk.
Will nobody in the House hearing ask a REAL question of the AGAG? I hear nothing but rancor and frustration, and several ill-prepared Demos on the panel. What about the frigging memo re: Goodling and Sampson’s hiring/firing power? Help us, please!!! Someone?
Springs- Votes- it just takes votes.
Question 1 for AGAG – cast a wide net:
“Do you have any reason whatsoever to believe that Rove might have been involved to any extent whatsoever in any stage of the process that ultimately resulted in the firing of any US Attorney?”
If AGAG responds no, then repeat the question and make him repeat his answer, specifically that he has no reason whatsoever to believe such a thing.
If AGAG hems and haws, or says it is possible, then get specific with Question 2:
“What do you know that leads you to believe that this possibility exists? There must be something – what is it? Otherwise, you would just say no.”
If AGAG continues to hem and haw, follow with Question 3:
Do you believe that you have failed in your responsibilities because you have created an environment in which Rove could be involved in such decisions? If not, why not?
That pix at the top of Bush. Looking down his nose. Says it all. And that’s the message this arrogant SOB wants to convey.
Energize the ‘base’. Help ‘em vote. Help them get to the polls.
Snow doing his typical snowjob. Give the surge a chance (Ignores 4 years of failure and the zillion chances they have already blown)
Look at the polls Americans really do care about how Iraq turns out (I wish that just once someone would ask him to cite a single specific poll that backs him up on this)
Sectarian violence is down. (He hedges on whether the same number or more people are actually being killed. Also this ignores that the Shia death squads are on vacation not disbanded.)
Hedges again on whether Gordon Brown will continue Blair’s involvement in Iraq. A Brit out there can correct me but my impression is that as far as Brown is concerned they’re out of there.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 43
Yes but the adoration for Bush in Gonzo’s eyes tells the real story.
I’m so sorry to go OT, but Bush blinks:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..id=topnews
One thing to emphasize:
Artur Davis (D-AL) was an Assistant USA in Alabama.
Marty Meehan (D-MA) was the First Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County (Boston).
Bill Delahunt (D-MA) was the District Attorney for Norfolk County in Massachusetts for over 20 years.
None of the Republicans on the HJC has ever so much as served in a US Attorney’s office, much less been an AUSA or USA.
I just clicked on their individual bios at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Judiciary_Committee) to make sure.
(And if you’re wondering why the Republicans aren’t asking former GOP Congresscritter and former USA Bob Barr to speak out on their behalf: He’s not saying what they want him to say.)
rwcole @ 20
Commander Guy has cooties!!! Run away, run away!
Badwater @ 46
You think that’s adoration? ‘Cause to me, he looks about as genuinely emotive as a Cabbage Patch Kid.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 43
And, dayumm, that is one friggin fugly mug!!
If only The President can hire or fire US Attorneys then either the President did it or Gonzo did it at the Presidents request. Monica and Sampson either recieved orders or they broke the law. If Gonzo says he doesn’t remeber then isn’t it the Bush’s job to say yes he did order these firings or not. This isn’t a zinger question its only a set up for what happens when we push the idea these US Attorneys were fired because they didn’t push phony vote fraud cases before the election. If that is why they were fired and Gonzo and the republican Senators don’t seem to be pushing an alternative theory then its Bush who will get the blame for what I think is an IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE! Gonzo stalling to protect Rove and run out the clock without providing a good explantion for what really happened leaves the King exposed to checkmate if only the Democrats have the guts!
rwcole @ 34
The Republicans need to be hammered on this relentlessly. Why are they voting against funding the troops? Why will they not support our troops? Why do they hate America?
Mandrake @ 49
Bush is still a useful idiot for Darth Cheney.
Phoenix Woman @ 48
I think Meehan just resigned a few days ago to become head of (I believe) UMass-Lowell.
Bush Officials Mocked Sen. Pryor’s Concerns About Gender Discrimination At DoJ
Great profile on Iglesias (courtesy of last thread). He is playing Mr Mom, taking his daughters to ballet, mows the lawn (does he cook and do bathrooms???) and reads a few blogs every day!!!!
[hey Dave!!!]
things come undone @ 52
logical conclusion. someone should be held accountable. if Gonzo made the decision (as he says), he should be impeached for multiple illegal acts – only the Prez can remove a confirmed U.S. Attorney. If the Prez ordered it, he should be impeached for subverting and obstructing justice (a number of counts).
dakine01 @ 55
He’s still in Congress until July.
EvilDrPuma @ 50
snort!
mc @ 47
He’s gotta have the $$, all of it, above anything else. Without it his plan, Buying Iraq with US $$, goes down the shi**er. Like any negotiation, both sides started at the high end and are letting go of the extraneous. I’m not sure what the middle of this deal is gonna look like, but I’m guessing it will be lean.
Went shopping. Came home to no hearings. What happened?
creeper @ 62
recess for a vote
I saw in the hearing where Abu indicated White House involvement. I remember thinking “holy codpieces and shooterfaceguy, he’s throwing the White House under the bus.”
He really backpedaled fast, but alas, you cannot unring the bell.
Oh, and hello Jane, hope this finds you well.
Woodhall Hollow @ 57
I saw him on Hardball. He said he’s still a Republikan. Do you think we can get him to change his mind?
Where didja get the swell photo of Abu? In the words of the late Rodney Daingerfield:
“The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it.”
TiredFed @ 63
recess for a vote
This is the same recess they started just before noon? Odd.
For all the questioning today and all the other days of the bush functionaries nothing is going to get to the bottom of this without impeachemnt.
The bushies are treating the entire oversight business with absolute contempt. They know they are facing a tiger with no teeth so until the tiger shows her fangs in the form of an impeachment they will continue to stonewall, obfuscate, lie and sneer at the wole process.
Impeachment must be not only “on the table” but must be in The House. Lets get to the end game, enough of this dance.
Ed*ard Teller @ 37
White House Liason! White House Liason!
While there are many, way too many, damning things about the US Attorneys scandal, this is the possibly the simplest to understand and most damning for Gonzo – Why was the *White House Liason* *secretly* delegated hiring, firing, and compensation authority over non-civil service DoJ employees?
Why would the White House have *any* role in those decisions, outside of the WH role in nominating US Attorneys?
There is NO reason why the WH should be involved in that process.
Gonzo should be HAMMERED with questions about this.
Or as TRex would put it:
Attack! Attack! Attack!
mui @ 65
Why would he want to change affiliation to a party that doesn’t have the balls for a full frontal assault on a bunker full of traitors?
Someone should remind Tony that lying exacerbates cancer.
creeper @ 67
recess for a vote
This is the same recess they started just before noon? Odd.
think it’s another one, but I’ve lost track
mui @ 65
He’s a serious fundamentalist Christian–son of missionaries. Graduated from Wheaton. But–there are dem Christians (I know some) so you never know. Look what happened with John Dean–it’s worth remembering that he drank some serious kool aid back in the day.
cleanup on aisle 70
Question: How do you know when George W. Bush is lying?
Answer: When his lips are moving.
rwcole @ 20
Too bad. It couldve been a love affair. Chimpy looked into his eyes and *knew* Putin was a *good religious* man, (& not the butcher of Chechniya) or something like that.
I alway heard it ws better not to lie at all, if you don’t have a perfect memory to keep track of which lie you told to whom.
Abu doesn’t have a perfect memory. (He can’t remember, except when he remembers a tidbit that will put him in a better light…. Liar!)
Gonzo’s lack of answers should be considered a reason to impeach Bush to get to the bottom of this we must also impeach Cheney at the same time. Then reopen the Scooter Libby case because of new Republican National Committe E-Mails and tell Scooter No Pardon For You!
Phoenix Woman @ 48
How many of these guys have done anything, before their Congressional careers, other than work for or spend inordinate amounts of time kissing big bidness’s arse? Hmmm, I sure would like to see some pre-Congressional career stats on Dems v. Pubs.
(oh lord, he we go with the terrrism mantra (Lamar Smith) – really, really, really – someone hand me a pillow to scream into).
“Dock our empty boat…” Oh, don’t you wish.
things come undone @ 78
almost forgot rule #1: Impeach Cheney first!
Badwater @ 46
i actually read it like abu is very smart and his main thing has been advancing himself by hitching himself to this particular post.
creeper @ 66
recess for a vote
This is the same recess they started just before noon? Odd.
It’s a different recess. The House is considering the Iraq funding bill and McGovern’s withdrawal bill so it’s not unexpected. Happens all the time with congressional hearings taking place during session.
It’s time W took “Fredo” for that final boat ride on Lake Tahoe.
Kiss. Kiss.
Bye!
Someone at TPM pointed out that AGAG always says “it was my understanding or belief” rather than the conventional “it was my understanding and belief”.
It is pretty clear why he does this. The disjunctive is a pretty classic lawyer trick.
I’d love to hear someone on the committee call AGAG on it the next time he tries it.
TiredFed @ 72
This is the same recess they started just before noon? Odd.
think it’s another one, but I’ve lost track
I’m hoping that the Dems are taking advantage of the recess to coordinate strategy on the questions. Maybe this is like hockey, and we’re into the second intermission? Coaches in the locker-room diagraming plays on the board?
Bob in HI
I read somewhere in my travels today that Rove wants to get rid of Gonzo, but that Bush and Gonzo have a “special” relationship, which is why Bush won’t (can’t) let Gonzo go. This was attributed to a senior executive office person(s)source(s). Anyway, it sounds like there is a triangle going on between the 3 of them. Perhaps Rove has dirt that could send Bush and Gonzo to jail, and perhaps Gonzo has stuff that could send Rove to jail (we certainly can assume that), but won’t because then Rove will go after Bush and Gonzo.
Might as well just impeach all of them. Start with Gonzo. Once he’s out, he might sing.
hiya, long time listener, first time caller…
you might want to change the year at the end of the para:
it was 2007…
In watching Smith again in his opening remarks, I can’t get over how despearate the GOP is to make this potentially criminal action by the White House appear to be the most mundane of events, and how these hearings are just so much of a partisan witch-hunt.
Anyone remember Monicagate??? Where is the moral outrage in the American people?
I think that when the GOP got away with subverting Congress and laughing in the face of the Iran-Contra investigators by having North portrayed as a hero they realized there was a reservoir of untapped trust (and idiocy) in the American people that the party could use to its advantage.
It also didn’t help that Bubba refused to allow hearings into any number of Republican unconstitutional/criminal acts in the name of bipartisanship.
To the GOP bipartisanship=weakness.
Someone needs to tell Conyers that he can threaten and cajole all he wants in letters, but after this performance today, when he should have ended the non-stop off-topic bullshit from the likes of Cannon, Lungren, Smith, Coble, etc., he’s lost a lot of cred.
Maybe we should have Code Pink asking the questions.
while we’re waiting, anyone know what’s happening with the Get out of Iraq vote in the House?
two beers @ 10
I know this is in jest, but lie detectors are easy to beat. They’re junk science. I think Abu Gonzales would beat one because he has no regard for consequences. If you don’t care what happens as a result of what you say you won’t get anxious and therefore won’t trigger the machine’s sensors.
greenwarrior @ 82
Gonzo was smart enough to hitch himself to Bush, but his testimony demonstrates that he is not that smart.
GSD @ 16
Ah, sulphur.
xoites defends Constitution @ 75
No. You can tell Bush is lying when he is breathing.
Your characterization is unduly harsh, because it associates Bush with people who merely lie with every word they say.
I think I found the best video rap-up of Abu’s testimony and the Judiciary Committee Repugs actions: Warning ~ Nasty!
Sid Leader @ 84
Fredo is doing exactly what W wants him to do. Keep his yap shut and don’t scare the horses.
Dang, Leahy had no problem with the Code Pink gals until they started blocking cameras. He didn’t make them leave either, just move their signs. Conyers very crankily had one dragged out at the behest of some Pub, didn’t catch his name.
I would like to know what is happening with the suboenas that were issued and have been ignored. Aren’t our congresspeople going to, like, DO something about that??
clichy @ 89
Too late. Conyers just kicked ‘em out.
TiredFed @ 81
Rule #2 Take the White House and RNC computers harddrives!
I saw a crawler that subpoenas have been approved (not issued) for Rove, Miers, and other WH personnel. Anyone know anything about it? Is that old news or new? It’s getting so confusing.
Speaker Pelosi. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE1dz6_u2JI
RevDeb @ 96
It helps keep Cheney’s Middle East suck up mission off page one.
OK, I’m switching to Randi Rhodes now. I miss Leahy’s flaming eyebrows.
RevDeb @ 96
With a few exceptions, shorter Gonzo:
“I don’t know nothin’ about nothin’–
even if I was supposed to know somethin’.
And if I said something about anything,
I retract what I said and apologize for my mistake.”
Bob in HI
JGabriel @ 94
Well geeze! My appologies to the lesser liars then.
Ed*ard Teller @ 37
Has anyone e-mailed or faxed Marcy’s questions to Debbie Wasserman Schultz?
I sent ‘em to Conyers – can’t figure out how to get to Debbie via e-mail.
Mandrake @ 96
leahy also wouldn’t permit anyone’s view to be blocked by signs… inother words, people were allowed to protest – but only in ways that did not interfer with the hearing or with the public’s right to view the hearings. i thought leahy’s approach was perfect.
Speaking of Cheney. What the hell is he doing over there? Has he sidelined Condi again?
LS @ 101
It is confusing…..but I thought the ones for the gwb whatever e-mails actually had been issued…..and the one that Condosleaza Rice blew off.
I will be so glad when Abu is gone. As long as it is not, Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
I will tell the Democrats how to win in ‘08.
Start out in first and keep improving your position.
welcome lonesomerobot!
If you go to a court hearing shouldn’t you be prepared to answer the questions in the hearing or at least have an explanation why you don’t have an answer?
It looks like everyone’s returning to the hearing room.
Anyone remember the days prior to the 1981 inauguration, you know when America was America?
There was a saying that became very ironic on 31 March 1981.
Instead of “Impeach Cheney first” there was another sentiment entirely which cannot be stated here.
Who are those fuckwads on the screen? Cannon is hoding forth to his little traitors-in-training.
hearing’s back on. Debbie’s up.
oddmommy @ 110
I saw it at the bottom of CSPAN3 this morning. I think that after Gonzo’s testimony this morning the door has opened to call them in to testify (I hope).
Looks like it’s lying time again on cspan-3,
they’re starting back up.
The HJC is back! Wasserman-Schultz is up.
Time for a new thread?
Maybe Debbie will mention Anne Coulter???
patronizing bastard
Abu – “mistakes happen”
Mr. Chairman, we will stipulate that the witness is an expert in this area.
clichy @ 120
That would be fun
Bush keeps Gonzales and Democrats gain full control of the Senate as well as the White House in 2008. No one hears a peep out of a Republican for the next ten years. It seems like Republicans would be worried about that.
Hello Republicans, Bush is screwing you – AGAIN.
Debbie is outlining the difference between voter fraud and election fraud.
Gonzo you have dementia.
Mandrake @ 79
Worth watching the video clip of Bob Barr. He’s impressive.
The rovian twist of language.
Debbie: “Attorney General Gonzalez, I’ve had a really hard time today figuring out what you do know.”
Go! Faster, faster!
Conyers, Stop it. Help her make her point. Jeez.
was that the fastest 5 minutes ever? or is it just me?
Say it Debbie–twenty cases in six years.
hahah Polouse Yes!
Why did Conyers order the people holding the anti-Gonzales signs OUT?
Yes, the whiny little boy who protested was my rep.
Face it — Gonzales can’t see them while he is testifying. Whiny little GOP boys can. And it makes their blood boil.
Yay! Ellison is bringing up the MN situation.
Apply the same standards to Palouse!!!
Shit. Just got called up. I gotta head to Farmington, NM.
Keep ‘em honest pups.
good luck on the road OFG
again I ask –
Has Abu ever prosecuted a case?
Safe travels, OFG!
PFAW has updated their Gonzales Must Go toolkit.
Bob in HI
OT – House to debate Iraq resolutions for an hour this afternoon before vote
Laura’s Song: (for Condi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Ellison: Did they document complaints on Paulose.
Abu: Not aware of it.
Ellison: Does such a document exist?
Abu: Eh
Elison: Are you aware I sent you a letter?
Abu: I get lot’s of letters.
jayt @ 139
Don’t know but he has sat in judgement as a Supreme Court Justice in TX. Really low standards there, eh?
OFG –”Compared to fieldwork all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignifigance.”
randiego @ 39
Yes.
This is the vampire administration, isn’t it? They suck the life out of everyone and everything they touch and as soon as they hit sunlight, poof — they turn into a cloud of dust!
He just tricked Gonzo into saying that he didn’t know why Mr. Sampson had that point of view (that there were problems with Heffelfinger).
Am I right in thinking that Paulose was confirmed in an en bloc floor vote at the end of the 109th Congress, and didn’t get individual consideration.
Abu’s going to work with Paulose on performance issue. Puhleeze. Like he ever gave anyone else a chance.
musicsleuth @ 148
ding!
jayt @ 107
Try sending them to Debbie’s District Outreach Coordinator, Sari Vatske:
sari.vatske -at- mail.house.gov
Make sure you cite House Judiciary Committee in subject line so that it gets different handling.
kdh22 @ 123
That would be a total waste of time. Voter disenfranchisement issues in Florida are probably the most serious in the country. In 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006 a total of hundreds of thousands of African-American votes were not counted. Tens of thousands of African-American voters there have been intimidated into not voting and scores of thousands of African-Americans and Latinos with Democratic voting histories have been illegally removed from the voter roles and still haven’t been put back on. Wasserman Schultz came as close to bringing this up as any non African-American house member I can remember.
So, Sampson had the point-of-view that Heffelfinger should go, which means Sampson was calling the shots. Right?
He’s nothing but a petulent putz. Just like his boss.
duh. guess since that’s a raw story quote, i’d have to tell them to change the year. heh.
thanks for the welcome
RevDeb @ 145
Evidently being a real-estate lawyer qualifies. And everybody knows that those folks are just litigating fools.
/s
The laconic John Conyers gets final say…
pseudonymous in nc @ 150
Yes
RevDeb @ 156
But who told Sampson that there was a problem with Heffelfinger?
Ed*ard Teller @ 154
fun, not fruitful
LS @ 155
But he was just the Aggregator of the Magic List, so he said.
Again, someone needs to ask Gonzo for the names of those he’d consider authorised to recommend a US Attorney for firing. That’s a simple management question: who has the executive authority?
Conyers: I am disappointed you are not cooperating (to Abu). Breadcrumbs . . .leading to 1600 Penn ave. (whoo-hoo!)
Conyers: The Breadcrumbs lead to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
What I would say if I was Conyers,
“You are going to come back and do this again. And again. And again until you answer the questions”
The breadcrumbs seem to be leading to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Hee hee! Pretty cute.
Conyers: will you do that? Abu: Let me ask Karl.
…and we’re done.
Bread crumbs….that is Chimpy’s spilled coke stash.
-GSD
LS @ 155
Mr. Aggregator went around taking suggestions and putting them on his list. Abu’s lying. They didn’t get rid of Fitzgerald on Sampson’s suggestion.
Bread crumbs leading back to the big loafs.
-GSD
Where’s the press and media to talk to the House Reps POST hearing?
So I missed most of the day. Did anything useful happen?
pseudonymous in nc @ 163
Yes. But by saying that he doesn’t know how Sampson came to that point-of-view, he’s acknowledging that he knew Sampson wanted Heffelfinger gone. That, after testifying that he never knew anything about the process.
on CSPAN1 the house is about to vote on Iraq, FYI
RevDeb @ 174
Well, if you’re asking if Abu got better at being a liar, the answer seems to be no.
I’m making no sense, because my head exploded 3 hours ago.
WHAT DID I MISS???????
RevDeb @ 174
So I missed most of the day. Did anything useful happen?
In a word – not so much.
okay – three words. Brevity can sometimnes be a problem for me.
LS @ 177
Psychiatrist, neurologist and neurosurgeon to line 177 please!
OFG drive safe, be well.
Randi Rhodes is covering the hearing and still commenting – pretty funny – skewering Lamar Smith right now.
Did I miss anything???????
lolo
Texas Betsy @ 181
I’ll gladly take a beer at this point :P
Mutant Poodle @ 177
he only got all sweaty and squirmy a few times…. there needs to be a better way to coordinate the questioning proceedure for the Dems, the Reps seem to have a pretty good technique
jayt @ 179
In a word – not so much.
okay – three words. Brevity can sometimnes be a problem for me.
I think Gonzo used more different euphemisms for “don’t recall” and “don’t know”
He really squirmed everytime Monica’s name was mentioned. It’s a “tell”.
Randi Rhodes: The Republicans can’t win elections without cheating. That’s what this is really all about.
mc @ 47
That’s not a blink, that’s a wink. “Benchmarks” are just a formal context for more lies. Defunding the occupation is the only way it’ll actually end. Why does anybody pretend otherwise?
LS @ 187
Oh, the New Monica! Can the New Monica bring down a presidency this time around??
Mandrake @ 191
That would be way too much to hope for.
puppethead @ 91
It’s also easy to “fail” if you’re are excessively honest.
I’ve had to actually work a bit this afternoon, did I miss the end of the hearing or did they break for a vote?
Wait, there’s a TexBetsy as well as Texas Betsy?
As to the Demo performance thus far on the AG hearings, this Democrat is displeased.
Texas Betsy @ 181
LS, how do you feel about having your head explode?
(hopes neurosurgeon is coming soon…)
LS @ 149
Also, understand, Gonzales lied–Heffelfinger was on the firing lists from early January 2006, NOT just one Sampson’s ranking of all 93 USas.
And to those who asked above, yes, Paulose did not have a regular vote. The used a discharge petition, after they were already panicking about the responses of Senators to the firings.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 196
I’m with ya, for the most time OKKiddo (sigh)
Message to my Democratic Party. Please don’t mess w/me.
RevDeb @ 192
not to say, it wouldn’t be more fun than this-here death-by-1000-mini-lies. *digs toe in edge of quicksand*
Oklahoma kiddo @ 196
me 2. what can we do to make the next one better? we’re having a debate on it over at gabbly
Margot @ 195
I am me on two computers. Just made them match. Sorry for the confusion.
I’m sorry, Betsy! I have seen people try to “clone” other people’s chat or comment names/personas so I was worried.
[Mod: Not to worry, we wouldn’t allow it]
RevDeb,
I think the hearing provided more opportunities for the differences between the out-of-power rubber-stampers and the newly empowered Dems to go beyond the beginning stages of their new relationship. The Dems are having to re-learn how to do this. It hasn’t been done since Bush I was president, IMHO. Some of the commenters here were very frustrated Conyers didn’t have much of a plan, but between what they know behind the scenes, Goodling’s upcoming testimony and the Iraq vote – well, good grief!
TiredFed @ 202
1. Get to the Dems faster with *sigh* complete analysis of the subject matter, complete with cue-cards, tied up with a big blue bow.
kirk murphy @ 197
It’s a strange feeling Dr. It reminds me of something my parents told me when I claimed my dog ate my homework, while I was actually out (having snuck through the window) partying with my friends. We all told the same story…
Mandrake @ 189
Yep, it’s easy to win when you cheat!
cue cards! why didnt I think of that? great idea.
If your heart is broken by the pathetic hearings today, I’ve gotcha covered.
there will be more of these hearings. can we help them get better at it? sure we can. Monica is yet to come. that is one opportunity we dont want them to miss. maybe we could have a mock Monica hearing here at FDL and work out all the potential avenues, get Marcy, Christy, Jane, Mary4, Hugh and others to work out their questions, and send them to Conyers (Marcy?) ahead of time?
Ed*ard Teller @ 205
I was wondering about this as well. I find the phrase “buying time for Iraqi government with American blood” very compelling. Top of my priority list.
Does Abu care at all that he has flushed the DOJ down the toilet?
Are there “GOP Can’t Win Without Cheating” bumperstickers yet?
lolo got the ZeD☼
There’s a newThread
I’m not sure what that might mean, but lots of hours of expensive therapy could only help….
TiredFed @ 209
exception: Maxine Waters!
I always wanna hear what that gal’s thinkin!
WaaHoo! Why couldn’t just a smidgen of her spirit & sass rub off on the other woozyheads?! There’s no quit in her vocabulary.
Gotta love her ;->
TiredFed @ 211
I’m with Tired here, but get the questions out a week or so before, and send them to how ever many staff members we have links too. Josh Marshall didn’t start til yesterday with this, maybe not enough time to get the right questions to the right people.
lolo @ 214
Jus’ sit there all day like a big ole spider, don’t she?!
Dang!
Oh Well. If it keep ‘er happy ;->
Dee Loralei @ 217
I’m hoping Josh gets out ahead of us. He’s the MAN on this issue!
new thread error 404
[Mod:Refresh. There’s a new new thread.]
lolo @ 214
I’ll be impressed when it’s a Zed with a substantive comment attached.
Dee Loralei @ 217
me too!
Notice Gonzales wouldn’t even admit to there being documentation on a real problem with staff issues like Paulose.
So we are to believe that the DoJ under Gonzales never documents anything, at least not that Abu/Sampson is aware of. Someone should bring Comey back and ask whether or not there was documentation involved in firing, who was it, Ryan? The one that Comey said had performance issues.
try this new thread link
Adie @ 215
You do NOT mess with Maxine!
Ironically, one African American woman shows a room full of white men how to act like you have balls.
I think Miers needs to be brought in. She was the one who shot Sampson down with a look when he suggested that maybe perhaps they should put Pat Fitzgerald on the list. And afterwards he tucked his tail between his legs. Clearly Sampson the aggregator answered to Miers. Will she deny it?
Mandrake – someone came up with “brass ovaries.” not sure who. it fits Ms. Waters.
1,511 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen oklahoma kiddo and Firepup Patriots:
I’m with you, brother kiddo, time ta get the sharp sticks and blowtorches out to apply ta the more vulnerable spots of our erstwhile Democratic representatives’ anatomies. This performance taday was completely and totally unacceptable, and I’m soooooo disappointed in Conyers. I think Mother Pelosi needs ta have a sit down with Conyers and Sanchez and do a little counseling about the importance of preparation and organization. My 22 year old point guard daughter could teach Conyers a bit about teamwork and ball control…JEEEzus, was that exhibition pathetic!!
KEEP THE FAITH BUT DON’T LET ‘EM OFF THE HOOK!!!
mui @ 223
The puppy ate it.
Jane, need to change the date on this:
It should be March 27, 2007. Nothing occurred on this in March of 2006.
mui @ 223
THere is documentation on Ryan, we’ve seen it.
There is also documentation on THomas DiBiagio, one of the two people whom Comey fired. Don’t know about the other guy Comey fired, who is almost certainly Thomas York (SD/AL)–but since he “resigned” during an internal probe of something, I suspect there’s documentation from that.
Wouldn’t it be illegal to fire the US attorneys without the president’s approval. They serve only at his, not anybody else’s, pleasure.
When the documents that Murray Waas has are revealed to the public, will Tony Snow and Dana Perino still have jobs? Who will believe anything they say after this?
Also, when Gonzales said he “has now been made aware” that the President did discuss the firings in an October 2006 meeting – how did he become aware? Who told him?
Good to hear Iglasius is the son of missionaries. There is this thing with the Christians..say if the parents were the old timey kind that thinks lying cheating and stealing is not good. Could be the reason Ashcroft left or had to leave.
Does anyone else feel their heart pound and their head buzz? This is like trying to reason with a recalcitrant teen-ager. No respect for logic, no concern for truth. Can’t they at least make a case out of the failure of the AG to keep adequate documentation of a process that messes with the lives of appointed Republicans? I hate feeling helpless.
A Brief Anthology:
Question: How do you know when George W. Bush is lying?
Answers: When his lips are moving, when he is breathing, and when Dick Cheney’s lips are moving.
I haven’t heard the fact that only the President can order the removal of a sitting U S A on ANY MSM news program. We all know the fact that they serve at his pleasure (spouted endlessly), but the official story that he was never informed, involved, had any knowledge or input into a decision that is his, and only his, to sign off on is never given a passing bit of interest. Have any of the questions during the hearings raised this point about the POTUS being required to be in the loop? If not, why the f**k not.
emptywheel @ 231
I would have though as much. How can we get congress to highlight the disparity between legitmate firings and the Sampson/Gonzo/Goodling supposed lack of documentation?