Login HereWhile 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.
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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.