Tweet
Poking Congress with a sharp stick may be the sport of Presidents, but I'm not sure how it's going to work out for GOP factotums and partisan loyalty extractors:
Former top Justice Department aide Monica Goodling was chided by the House Judiciary Committee for failing to turn over documents that had been subpoenaed as part of the investigation into the firing of 8 US Attorneys. Goodling is set to testify before the Committee on Wednesday.
"I am concerned, however, about your statement that Ms. Goodling is going to refuse to produce documents in her possession that are responsive to the subpoena," Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the committee's chairman, wrote to Goodling's attorney John Dowd.
In responding to an argument made by Dowd on why Goodling did not need to turn the documents over, he added, "We are aware of no authority that permits internal Department administrative regulation to allow a former employee of the Department of Justice, or any other person, to avoid the subpoena power of the House of Representatives, as that power is central to the House's ability to carry out its Constitutional oversight mandate and certainly trumps internal agency regulations."
She may well believe this prepares her for a future as a Fox news analyst, but I hope she looks good in orange. Hopefully we'll get an explanation about the mysterious David Margolis conversation tomorrow when she appears before Conyers' committee on CSPAN3. Join us for some live blogging, should be a dilly.
Meanwhile, according to an OSC report Lurita Doan has been found guilty of violating the Hatch Act, and Susan Ralston pleads the fifth. I think this should put an end to the myth that a Democratic majority in congress would be bad for business.
248 Comments
Support this site!
Subscribe to the newsletter
Advertise on Firedoglake
Send
us your tips
Make us your homepage
About Firedoglake
Z
Second.
2? Jane, love ya!
Jane!!
Loo Hoo. @ 3
yoo too, loo hoo
(just had to say that)
Hi TRex, Jane, Voctor & Loo Hoo
excellent post, Jane! I missed the Hatch Violation. I’m particularly interested in the blantant public memo that is a defacto proffer for ralston’s immunity. Any thoughts?
Anyway, CNN has a nice hit piece on “High Flying Spring Breakers” – members of Congress wasting taxpayer money by flying places in a government jet. All Dems, natch.
It’s on this page: CNN video
Edit: here’s a LINK to the story on YouTube
Goodling really, really wants to go to jail. That’s the only way I can figure this. She wants to be bunkies with Paris Hilton.
When does Goodling report to Friend Computer’s Guantanamo Retreat for being an Islamofacistliberalcommie zombie?
We love all the gal’s @ FDL
Really OT but:
Females are tougher than nails!
I hope the dems have a spine tomorrow and this gets very interesting.
EvilDrPuma @ 9
Don’t we all?
How much does it cost us when the Bush twins run around drunk and naked in other countries during Spring Break?
Aren’t the exact terms of what needs to be turned over to the committee spelled out in the immunity agreement? How does Dowd get to set the terms now?
You know, I was going to take some chemical bombs to Jerry Falwell’s funeral, but I had to wash my hair today.
I’m so glad that one of his flock has my back.
AZ Matt @ 12
I do hope no one is starting a new religion based on this.
TexBetsy @ 6
Hi. Gotta calm down, here.
I prefer being VD free.
AZ Matt @ 12
this has happened with humans:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/en…..t=Abstract
Dr, is bunkies a physical act?
Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves.
Title of the Day.
TexBetsy @ 6
Hi Botsy! (couldn’t help myself)
Oh, Jane, I love the word “factotum” which means “a person hired to do all sorts of ODD jobs”. How could we describe Monica any more accurately? New nickname for Monica: ODDJOB
TexBetsy @ 13
Don’t hold your breath.
The GOP will be out in force, Lungren and Cannon OT beaucoup times and Conyers will let them do it.
The Dems are too concerned with appearing too “lefty” to do anything substantial. They’ll blink and blink and blink all the way to 2008. The GOP won’t have to steal the election.
The Dems have no balls and we are enabling them by standing by them in this. This is worse than having the wingnuts in control…this is impotence.
Office of Special Counsel: Doan broke the law.
ODDJOB Goodling.
I like it.
bookwoman @ 26
with Kommisar Karolosivitch as Gert Frome?
Only when the lovely Ms. Doan gets fined and serves some jail time for her (many) violations of the Hatch Act will I say that the Dems are “good for business”.
twolf1 @ 28
note the last sentence: “Doan has until June 1 to respond to the OSC report. “After Doan responds, the report will be sent to President Bush with recommendations that could include suspension or termination. The president is not required to comply with the suggestions.””
3 guesses what he’ll do…
Jane! You are on an awesome roll today and I marvel and thank you for your marathon reports all day. Have run out of coffee just trying to keep up with your awesome posts.
FDL should be required readling in every public high school and colleges from coast to coast.
As my late Daddy was so fond of saying about Dorothy Thompson:
What a great dame! ;~)
TexBetsy @ 14
I don’t.
Good news about Lorita, that could get interesting.
And with regards to the prison inmate suits, I SO want Rove to wear the old time chain gang style with the black and white stripes.
They DO say, stripes make you look fatter.
WOOT!
Alfred Kelgarries @ 32
ignore? laugh at? burn?
tpm has gotten their hands on Margolies testimony in front of the senate judiciary comitee on this the eve of monica’s appearance, and it’s preety delish.
this s my favorite part:
She came down about 8:00 and she started by saying, “Has Kyle talked to you?” And I said, “Yeah, he came by earlier.” And then she proceeded for the next, it seemed like forever but it was probably only about 30 or 45 minutes, to bawl her eyes out and say, “All I ever wanted to do was serve this President and this administration and this department,” and then cry more, and more, and more, and more…
TexBetsy @ 14
Ummmm…no.
TexBetsy @ 36
he’ll turn them over and write signing statements on them, of course! :>
TRex @ 17
Lost some of my Diet Coke through the nose with that, TRex!
Why is it the wingnuts who both know how to and build amateur WMDs?
Did somebody say Burn Baby Burn!?!!11eleven!!
Ha, ha, Jane! You got me on the bad for business link. I was puzzled about your meaning until I clicked through. Yup — orange jumpsuits are what all the kewl GOPers are wearing this season!
Taking the Fifth? Refusing to produce documents? Requiring immunity in order to testify? “I don’t recall my recollection?” What happened to restoring dignity and honor to Washington? Guess a bl*wj*b or two wasn’t such a big deal after all, eh, GOPers?
PS:
TROOPS
HOME
NOW
from Think Progress:
Taking bets now on whether Bush complies with the suggestions. Ten bucks says he doesn’t and issues a statement saying she is good folk and he has every confidence in her.
Thanks newspaperbrat, I didn’t know who Dorothy Thompson was.
TRex @ 17
I just realized, how did a therapod get hair?
Just catching up with the posts after a whirlwind day. I read the earlier post on the Judiciary committee on habeus. Did anyone catch Durbin’s whole performance? Does he deserve a pat on the back from this constituent?
TRex @ 17
I was just planning to pass a big ripping fart over the casket.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 45
TRex, did you open that package? You were supposed to wait until your birthday to see that wig!
“Better to withhold e-mails and other documents and be thought to be a crook, than to produce them and remove all doubt.“
That is the Bush Crime Family’s approach to everything.
newspaperbrat @ 33
I don’t know…I think Jane is on a roll most every day. Or at least it seems that way sometimes.
Other than that, I agree 1000% as they say. FWIW.
See, there are continuing problems (tsf bold):
{{{{{JANE}}}}}
maybe this has already been said but, all grumpiness aside in re Dems. appearing to “cave” on military spending bill et al, is there some chance the Dems are clearing their calendar for……. impeachment???
maybe just wishful thinking…, yet…?
if true, maybe that’s a reason why Goodling’s doing things-stoopid, as a foil???
moi @ 37
I do hope someone asks her why she was crying that day.
…Jane, again way ahead of me.
Adie @ 52
Oooooooh Adie – stop my pounding heart!
I’ll give her something to cry about.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 45
I just realized, how did a therapod get hair?
When you’re fifty feet long, weigh seven tons, and have six-inch-long razor-sharp teeth, plugs can come surprisingly cheap.
EvilDrPuma @ 57
When you’re fifty feet long, weigh seven tons, and have six-inch-long razor-sharp teeth, plugs can come surprisingly cheap.
and i’ll bet EVERYONE tells how NATURAL they look…:>
TRex @ 56
She and Paris can have their own private whimper session every night.
dakine01 @ 53
what i got from that is that kyle (in true, rethuglican male fashion) fingered her.
and i don’t mean in the happy ending way.
TRex @ 56
I dunno. I think it might be better for you to give the repugs on the HJC something to cry about instead.
Somehow, I have an idea that some of the D questioners on the HJC will have Monica not-so Goodling in tears more than once tomorrow.
EvilDrPuma @ 57
When you’re fifty feet long, weigh seven tons, and have six-inch-long razor-sharp teeth, plugs can come surprisingly cheap.
–
So, TRex is Teefs-n-Tufts-Two? Does Biden know he has an FDL twin?
Yay — Keith’s back!
I suggest the Committee start off with waterboarding to get Monica to talk.
And if that doesn’t work, aggressively interrogate the lawyer.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 32
Let’s see…
If he already thinks of the Constitution as a “goddamed piece of paper”, well uh, never mind.
KO in tonight.
Keith: At least we’ll get a new picture of Monica.
moi @ 60
Damn, I SO want to say something but…
dakine01 @ 53
It’s pretty obvious that she realized that it was all falling apart and she was going to be the fall girl for a series of crimes. It’s why she was so quick to tell everyone she was going to take the fifth and wanted immunity.
Why should Monica worry about upsetting Congress? They have today proven that they’re all just a bunch of Hillarys: Gutless and Spineless.
Why should Monica worry about telling the truth? Or getting cought in a lie? Congress won’t do anything…..backing down, and doing nothing is merely what a Gutless and Spineless outfit will do.
Congress should be ASHAMED of itself. As for Monica, I’m sure she’s partying tonight. For tomorrow, she just has to sit thru a bunch of cowardly clowns.
Ghostman
—-> young person no longer in the room.
[Pant, pant, running breathlessly from downstairs]
Geez, I can’t keep up with you guys!!!
EPU’d from downstairs:
Last night, in honor of Monica’s upcoming testimony, I submitted the lyrics to the old Zombies song, She’s not there!. For Cassie, who has probably never heard the song and its dynamite bass line, and who will probably giggle helplessy at the preppy blazers and ties young rock & rollers were wearing back in those days, here’s the video.
Oh, and BTW, I hope this song is NOT prophetic, and that Ms. Goodling really is THERE! and spills all the beans right into Rove’s sappy lap.
Bob in HI
I was wondering what happens after all these DOJ, WH and GOP people ignore their subpoenas, so I got this from Wiki.
That last part looks scary.
dakine01 @ 67
come on, you know we want you to :)
Bob Schacht @ 71
No one told me about her…
Alfred Kelgarries @ 7
YES! At last! A Hatch Act conviction! Hopefully, the first of dozens more to come!
Bob in HI
JH!
I hope the HJC zero’s in on what I think Goodling needs to try to accomplish tomorrow. I see her as a true-believer who will try mightily to spare the higher-ups without perjuring herself (I assume that if she does lie and it can be proven, her immunity deal is off, no?). This far into the investigation, and with this many facts on the table, that would seem a fairly tight squeeze.
I am so ready for this, but I would really like HJC to have a few more teeth… like Paul Hodes (D-NH).
Keith is as mad as we are.
He’ll stand behind her 100 percent.
snowbird42 @ 77
indeed. as well he should be.
snowbird42 @ 77
That’s why we love him so.
moi @ 73
Nope. Not gonna do it. I let my vestigial remnants of sexism out too much anyway. And not just because of the youngster in the crowd either. Although the reality is, I doubt if Kyle and Monica could have fun in that way…
TRex @ 78
W-A-A-A-Y behind.
Paul Reichkopf of I&AVA: “Iraq isn’t some geopolitical cup-a-soup where you can just add troops.”
Do not join the military. Don’t enlist.
Paul Reikoff (sp) on KO:
Total 28 brigades later this year.
Troops are not going to make it better, and is not sustainable. Long term damage on our military.
The expectations put on troops are ridiculous. Troops are losing faith in civilian leadership. divorce.
Military happy the money is coming.
Integrity problems within the dem party. If they’re going to defund the war, they need to do it. Losing the base.
Only as long as she bends over and pulls up her dress.
TeddySanFran @ 83
Reichkopf needs to work on his metaphors. Bush won’t understand cup-a-soup.
Reichoff slams Dem for the losers they are!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 84
They wouldn’t take me if I tried
Monica is the very definition of a loyal Bushie. She won’t answer a single question that isn’t asked from every conceivable angle. She believes in her president, and those evil Democrats are going to try and make her testify the truth. Will she lie under oath? Will she martyr herself for her president?
HeirofPatriots @ 46
Is the replay available on Politics TV or someplace else?
Bob in HI
You have to remember that Monica probably thinks she did nothing wrong.
Paul Rieckhoff says on Olbermann says there’s a lot of “integrity problems in the Democratic Party” with respect to Iraq. Ain’t that the truth!
Wow — Keith knows his audience. I wonder how the network newscasts will spin the Democrats’ cave? Keith is not pulling any punches.
Howard Fineman certainly enjoyed this moment, quoting a “Democratic strategist on the Hill.” Gotta wonder who that was.
{{ smells like Dangerstein }}
Alfred Kelgarries @ 21
Well, if you consider ovarian teratomas and moles as “offspring” I guess. Jesus Christ! For a second I though Mssr. de Grouchy might be publishing in the Journal of Irreproduceable Results.
Georgesimian @ 92
Then it’s time for her to learn something about the wider, more expansive frame of reference we call “reality.”
dakine01 @ 81
ah, yes: the old “vestigal version”
bookwoman @ 26
Myrmidon?
Georgesimian @ 92
That would motivate her, having gotten an incomprehensible (to her) immunity deal, to tell the truth, right?
Fixed.
cinnamonape @ 95
You mean the Ig-nobel Prize? My point was that the more complex the organism, the less possible parthenogenesis becomes. by the human stage, you get junk.
Altho IIRC there have been rumors of parthenogentic human births, girls of course, but I don’t know that any have ever been substantiated in modern times…
OT
With 54% of the precincts reporting Beshear is leading the KY Dem primary with 45% of the vote to Lunsford at 20%.
GOP primary Fletcher (Inc) leading Northup 48% to 38%
40% is the cut-off to avoid run-off
dakine01 @ 102
is this good or bad for us?
Bob Schacht @ 91
Don’t know. I’m on dialup and have never gotten anything there to load successfully.
Argh. Keith says Lieberman’s threats to switch parties may be key to the cave?
I hope everyone who fucked up the Ned Lamont race is kicking themselves tonight. Plenty of arrogance, incompetence, political opportunism and short-sightedness to spare on that one.
TexBetsy @ 13
Don’t hold your breath tomorrow. These Democrats are eunuchs and they will never, never redeem themselves.
Too wimpish to stand up to the spoiled son of the king of the wimps?? I’d rather have the original wimp than these poseurs.
I’ve voted Democrat my entire life…I got in trouble for organizing base personnel for McGovern on Quantico Marine Corps Base when I returned from Vietnam…21 months in Vietnam to be exact.
This is the extent of the backbone of the party I chose to defend?
Not one more Democrat gets my vote.
Jane Hamsher @ 105
Jane, who do you blame for that loss?
moi @ 37
Apparently she wasn’t so concerned about serving the Country, the Constitution, the Law or even….GOD! All she EVER wanted to do was be a political myrimidon for a political movement.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 103
Beshear is the good Dem, Lunsford is the DINO tool friend of McConnell, so this is good news.
OMG, why doesn’t the Senate Judiciary Committee call in Ashcraft?
Alfred Kelgarries @ 103
Way good! Fletcher has JAR about at level of BushCo. Lunsford is a pseudo Dem who gives more money to Repugs than to Dems. Lunsford has also been known to abuse the workers in his companies and rip off taxpayers while milking medicaid/medicare payments.
Beshear is about as progressive as you can find in Kentucky and with all the legal and ethical problems that Fletcher has had, Beshear SHOULD win in November. Plus he will replace the current head of the KDP who is also a pseudo Dem and will work to replace toothless Mitch in ‘08.
Poor Margolis – he tried to calm her down – that didn’t work, he tried to make her laugh – that didn’t work, he tried to change the subject – that didn’t work – he tried to give her advice, but she wouldn’t take it.
Boo, hoo.
What a scenario. Do you think she’ll cry through her testimony??
Loo Hoo. @ 110
And Mrs Ash
So, who won last Nov??
Makes you wonder if its worth the fight.
Look on Kos… 500 angry Kossacks
OT – Bush declassifies al-Qaida intelligence
I did not like a certain Senator’s tepid support of Ned Lamont.
Get rid of that cheap blackmailer, Lieberman. Let him join another party. I don’t give a ….
Jane Hamsher @ 105
Is Keith really right about that?
And I wonder, are the key cave-ins just using Liarman for cover?
Jane Hamsher @ 105
I took Keith’s allusion to RGJoe to be about Fineman’s immediately preceding discussion of a “top Democratic strategist on Capitol Hill,” thus my {dangerstein} reference….
Balrog around, or maybe just enjoying that brand-new, nothing like it, nuevo baby smell?
Momma! Where’s my tea?! You know I can’t be rehearsin’ my testimony without my tea! I’m already aggravated as it is!
I have some tea that Mr. Margolis dropped by, if you’d like some of that? It says ‘Calming’ Tea on the box.
Nevermind!! I’m closing the study door, don’t let anyone disturb me while I’m with Ms. Rofski, my testimony coach.
*click*
Hello, Karly, isn’t it a good day to walk with the Lord? (*wink*, *wink*)
I wonder who Lieberman will wind up supporting for the nominee of the Democratic Party for prez?
LS @ 112
maybe she’ll bring mrs alito with her and they can both cry for the cameras together.
“oooh, those mean dems, making a woman cry when they’d rather be home baking pies”
Georgesimian @ 92
She is a Person of Faith™ who is bravely entering a den of sinners.
cinnamonape @ 95
LMAO
Well, we’ve just seen the next cat video for TRex posts.
Jane Hamsher @ 105
thank you jane. my head is on straight now. everything makes sense. unfortunately, it also means:
a) NO no-confidence res on Abu G
b) DON’T EVEN THINK about impeaching Abu-G
c) everything else the dems wanted is on hold until either 1) a rethug senator dies, retires due to severe illness, or is forced to resign IN A STATE WITH A DEM GOV. or b) 2008.
I’m going to bed.
Georgesimian @ 72
That last part looks scary.
Isn’t contempt of Congress one of the Constitutionally mandated powers of Congress? If they cannot call upon the Federal Attorneys to prosecute the charge because of an unspecified “seperation of powers” issue, then the only recourse is that they must be able to prosecute the charge themselves.
Seems a ridiculous assertion…as laws established by Congress are handling by the other branches ALL THE TIME.
I feel like I have to use all caps because Lieberliar is responsible for his victory.. HE LIED DURING THE CAMPAIGN by saying that he would stay with the dems. It’s unfortunate that he used the people of CT. but he did…
Scarecrow @ 125
Best laugh on a horrible, no-good day!
TeddySanFran @ 129
And the only reason we watched that is because we’re just hanging around to see who’s the worst person in the world. We’re all doomed.
Hail, Hail, the Gang’s all here, the Lake’s a roiling and a boiling, the Sox are a’smokin, and there is a turmoil in the morn!!! Evening, Y’all!!! :-)
Oklahoma kiddo @ 84
Okay.
:@)
CTuttle @ 131
Welcome CT.
A Conversation with Al Gore
Taylor Marsh,s hour conversation with Gore
http://www.taylormarsh.com/arc…..p?id=25634
This might be just the thing to cheer you up. I ordered the book…cant wait.
OT – Tony Snow re Gore’s new book: “I don’t know if they’re going to do a reprinting of the book to try to get the facts straight. The fact-checkers may have to take a look at it.“
Gore responds: “This book, unlike the President’s State of the Union Address, has been fact-checked.“
snowbird42 @ 114
yes, it was worth the fight! it’s just that the fight is nowhere near being over…. and we have lots of fighting to do with our own party. please, don’t give up!
Loo Hoo. @ 132
Been there. Done that. Got the DD214 to show for it.
LMAO.
CTuttle @ 131
Even living in the South, I have never left behind my love of the Sox…. The Braves, Sox series was great.
JPL @ 128
speaking of empowered women…
…my oldest granddaughter, who is 9, has just dragged me back to my keyboard, by one ear to the applause of my dad and my daughter. She informed me, very sternly, that “the bad guys win if you just give up.” i am writing this post with her glaring at me over my shoulder.
so if I can’t give up, neither can any of you! so there!
TexBetsy @ 14
lol
I hear Paris Hilton walked into the jail carrying a Bible.
Hope they check it for stashed ‘goods..’
selise @ 136
Ill not give up but it feels kinda raw right now. Im getting old too …almost 65
cinnamonape @ 127
Well, this is WiKi and not the last word, and that last part seems like a Yoo interpretation, but I don’t understand how, if Congress can’t compell anyone at the DOJ to obey their subpoenas, they expect to compell them to prosecute someone they don’t feel like prosecuting.
Jane Hamsher @ 105
Joe says: Hurray! For the even worse idea!!!
Thanks Alfred & granddaughter.
Here’s the contempt of Congress WiKi link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
Fah chrissakes, she’s a former employee who’s got immunity. Pony up the docs or say who has them if you don’t. Someone big is paying her legal fees, but I bet she folds fast under some pressure. Shit, she cried about resigning already to someone who didn’t think her confidence was worth guarding. Creepy little reThug.
TexBetsy @ 145
my daughter wants links to pix of baby balrog, FYI…
and unfortunately I have to go mail the finished proofs back to the printer (they’re antiquated and still use printed proofs.) :
Alfred Kelgarries @ 32
AHH,medal of freedom?
TexBetsy @ 133
Thank you Ma’am! I was busy this morn, had to take my wife to the Pier to set sail for a seven day cruise, with my mother, around the Isles!!! (Doesn’t Bode Well for Moi!!!) Whew, all the Heavies are on the thread!!! ;)
selise @ 136
Nobody’s giving up. But we’ve been sailing along for months, one negative week after another for Bush, daily revelations, declining polls, and more and more of the media cathing on. Then today, we got our butts kicked by the reality that we’re still 30 or so votes short in the Senate and more in the House.
We need to break out of this, change the dynamics.
I’d like to see a discussion of putting impeachment on the table, front and center, and tieing every thing that’s going on with the Bush scandals to that effort — instead of watching them all unfold on little revelation at a time. Talk about it every day, and relate every day’s revelations to the need to get on with removing this criminal regime from power.
This is what we want, and i can’t think of a good reason not to say it.
JDM @ 147
I.E., No Docs, No Deal.
I’m watching Keith and seriously Paula Abdul is on something. She always sounds drunk.
Which leads me to my next question – why does Scabby always talk about Hollywood and American Idol? Doesn’t he despise all of us who live in LA?
Alfred Kelgarries @ 148
The Baby Balrog
clichy @ 106
Leave it to the Dem leadership to turn the clock back forty years…
Back to 1967…..when the Congressional Dems caved, and the war went on…
Right through the ‘68 Chicago Convention.
In 2007, the Dem leaders have:
1) fucked over labor on trade
2) fucked over the troops
3) fucked over their voters.
Dem leaders, we’ll be there to “welcome” you to the convention.
Concerned about the altitude, Dem leaders?
Don’t bother – our protests will suck all the oxygen out of your message.
The brutal Denver police will just happen to have a police “riot” when the demos are largest
(a “coincidence” they learned from the LAPD)…
Thus annealing the messgage Dems=Disorder onto voters’ retinas.
Denver = Seattle.
JPL @ 139
I couldn’t agree more, to both, even 5 time zones removed!!! *g*
A plan would be good…and this one I like.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 140
Krugman actually wrote an article in April on how it was Bush holding the troops hostage and that the dems would end up taking care of them with funding. To bad the news can’t get it right…
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 152
Yeah, but tell her after the testimony.
Georgesimian @ 92
Polite disagreement.
Booo, hoooo, hoooo,
booo, hoooo, hoooo, boooo, snort, snort, boooo, hooo, Karl, booooo, hoooo, boooo, Rove, boooo, hooo, boooo, hoooo, booo, made, snort, snort, us boooo, hooo, do, it…boooo, hoooo, he, snort, made up, snort, snort, the boooo, hoooo, list, snort, snort, Can I go now?????
Alfred Kelgarries @ 103
Beshear is definitely the more progressive. Lunsford is anti-labor and an ex-Republican who even endorsed the likely Republican candidate Fletcher in the past. Generally it’s felt that Beshear wil defeat whoever the Pugs put up…and it also looks as if the Pugs may end up depleating their war-chests in a run-off while Beshear may escape such a fate.
It’s GOOD!
Tomorrow I am changing my voter registration to “decline to state”.
Fuckers.
John Edwards’ message to fellow Dems: Don’t compromise with Bush.
At the very least we will have better photo shots, and maybe we can shitcan the tshirt picnic, under a leanto shot…
Makes me growl every time I see it…
Opposite of Jane Hamsher shots… (hehe)
CTuttle @ 156
I do volunteer work and sometimes we get court appointed volunteers, anyway to make a long story short a young man, teenager more likely, was helping out after the Sox Series win and after finding out that I was a fan, he asked if i cried and I said yes, then he said it was the only time he ever saw his dad cry. It was very touching… for a long time sox fan..
Rust LimpBalls WPITW
Mary McCurnin @ 163
;0)
The House should have listened to John Edwards-Keep sending the same bill back. Let gwb continue to veto funds to the troops.
Perhaps a legal mind could offer their opinion on this comment over on Raw Story, suggesting that “There appears to be a problem with the legal counsel assigned to Goodling [Dowd] and Ralston [Berenson]. Both ahve openly discussed knowing about information that the Congress wants. Big problem: They have a legal duty to disclose that information, regardless their clients desires.”
Are they in fact so compelled?
As for Falwell, Bill Maher says it all in an unsurpassably hilarious editorial.
The worst thing about the compromise today, is that it probably turned off an enormous number of potential crossover voters for 08. What a disaster.
john in sacramento @ 144
Mahalo John, TT is on fire!!! The inconceivably bad idea: Iran!!! WTF!!!
BTW, did anyone else have the thread disappear for a bit? I had surfed over to a KY newspaper site to check election returns and came back and it was missing for a bit. PANIC!
kirk murphy @ 155
also, beware the plague-infested Denver squirrels !!
dakine01 @ 167
Isn’t he always? Oh wait, It’s usually BILLO!!!
Feingold updates on Kos. He tries to tell what will happen next.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/22/121834/274
Which should be followed by a bag of pretzels to every Democrat who might waver.
And Lieberman too.
Scarecrow @ 151
At least start with plans to impeach Abu. That would be a start.
What we are looking for are some ovaries of steel to show up and DO SOMETHING to hold the crooks accountable!
DD214?
UN Troops Sold Weapons To Militia They Were Sent To Disarm
I hope Democrats surprise me tomorrow.
Because if they don’t, the future history books will record them as ‘bunch of jerks who were first up against the wall when the revolution came’.
HHGTTG forever!
I refuse to talk about the Democratic front runners for president. Until I change my mind.
Okay, let’s do it, let’s get out the chalkboard and chalk and do the delta-plus analysis on fixes to the Joementum problem. I’ve had enough of this little twerp.
Option: Remove Joementum’s committee seats, particularly the Chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Plus: Removes leverage from Rove’s manipulation; Rove can no longer thwart investigations by the Senate equivalent of the House Oversight Committee, and Bush can no longer rely on lack of oversight on DHS.
Delta: Retaliation by Rove who may already have encouraged Joe to quit Dems if he loses committees.
Plus: Dems retain majority status anyhow, through 110th Congress’ duration, although in terms of vote count Reps will have majority
Delta: If Joe quits Dems, Reps will have majority by count; Dems will be unable to ensure that legislation will pass.
Okay, who’s got a Delta or a Plus to add to this assessment?
TexBetsy @ 180
…that could be used to kill our troops??? What’s that legal term again??? Aiding and Abetting the enemy????
twolf1 @ 115
Ummm? And precisely how does this support continuing to fight them in Iraq if al Qaida is mobilizing for attacks OUTSIDE IRAQ? Al Qaidas central interest in fighting in Iraq is because US forces are there, and pinned down. Iraq serves as both a recruitment tool and a way that the can attack the US in a security-vacuum situation where explosives and weapons were cheap, readily available on the black market, there’s intense anti-US nationalism, poor US post-invasion military and political planning, open borders, etc. But absent the US Al Qaida really doesn’t have much interest in staying in Iraq, and they would suddenly be regarded – not as allies in the fight against the US- but as foreign interlopers. Their “allies” would soon turn against them.
And I thought there was pretty good evidence that al Qaida had “declared war” against the US…so what is new here?
Loo Hoo. @ 179
A piece of paper provided to those who enlisted upon completion of their service commitment. It is used to verify to the VA and most anyone that the service was HONORABLE (read: didn’t get caught doing anything I could have been court-martialed for).
LS @ 171
The DSCC had the temerity to send a fundraising email out today, at 11:50am. I wonder if they hoped to outrun the news as it reached the ‘roots?
Milan River @ 169
At this point, my primary vote is going to John Edwards.
ok firepups – fuckery’s afoot……….
You know, I’ve heard a lot about how high-priced her defense team is, but they don’t seem to be doing much, at least not for her. A good lawyer would have worked those documents into an immunity deal. Hers didn’t. Instead, her legal team all but dared Congress to charge her (and themselves, for that matter) with contempt. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’s slick enough to bullshit her way through a hearing, and if she perjures herself, she may wind up with no immunity at all. The ONLY good legal advice she should have been given would be to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. A good lawyer would have told her to own up to EVERYTHING. If she fudged on her taxes 10 years ago, she should put that on the record now. (”Those silly loyalty oaths Karl told me to administer made me think of that time I cheated on my taxes in 1996. Or maybe I was just remembering all that pot I smoked in college. If it weren’t for my illegal handgun, I don’t know how I would have found the strength to go on.”)
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 188
Mine too.
dems CAVE SOOOOOO EASILY!!!
Let’s do the perp walk again!
It’s just a fib to left,
And then a lie to the right.
Put your hands on your lips
And hold them real, real tight.
But it’s “I don’t recall”,
That really drives them insaaaane!
Let’s do the perp walk again!
TSF@174, I’m telling ya, it’s pitchfork time, the ‘68 Dem Con travesty might be dwarfed by the ‘08 Denver Dem Con!!! Wake the F*ck up, Dems!!! Sorry, I know I’m preaching to the choir, but, its nice to vent!!!
Okay, who’s got a Delta or a Plus to add to this assessment?
Plus: Investigation of Lieberman’s slush funding during the 06 campaign
Plus: May provide enough stress to give him a stroke
Plus: FOX news can’t list him as a ‘Democrat’ anymore.
Plus: Serves as a warning to the Blue Dogs that their necks are next on the chopping block if they don’t fall into line.
Gore is on Larry King now.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 140
Hugs!
i’m still hoping against hope that feingold will be forced into running for the WH
Me too. I like the way hes building his base, without Tweetie,s help… ha!
I agree will almost everything he says.
juslin @ 198
I would support him.
Rayne, Actually this a moot point since they actually need 60 votes for passage at this point. Time to put Joe out to pasture and make him irrelevant. Delta: If Joe quits Dems, Reps will have majority by count; Dems will be unable to ensure that legislation will pass.
Scarecrow @ 151
that sounds great to me… but, can we end the occupation too?
my stupid little pep talk was aimed mostly at me…. i am very pissed off right now… and have been since about when moveon whipped the out-of-iraq caucus.
on trade, on lobbying rules, on the occupation… congress appears to be giving us kabuki – and not what they were elected to do.
Loo Hoo. @ 179
The official Military record of one’s Mil. Career, virtually all aspects, minus medical rec.’s!!!
Rayne @ 183
Assuming Johnson comes back this year, it leaves the split 50-50 (although Darth would then have to hang around to break tie votes). But since McCain is never around to vote, that makes it 50-49. And without 60 votes for Cloture, tough for Dems to pass anything anyhow.
Don’t deal with blackmailers.
FYI,, Eli is upstairs and Gore is on CNN
Loo Hoo. @ 197
I get knocked down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cog2cVSKYs
I also wonder about Monica’s lawyers’ assertion that SHE will not turn over documents.
First off, SHE DOESN’T OWN THESE DOCUMENTS. They are the property of the United States of America, They are Gov’t docs and her implied statements to the effect that she is keeping them constitutes theft, and obstruction of justice, as well as violations of the DOJ’s Record-Keeping and Preservation requirements. HAS SHE TAKEN THESE DOCUMENTS HOME WITH HER? Does she consider these “personel communicatios”/ Even when they deal with the hiring/firing of US Attys’ or possible conspiracy in these acts?
I’d like her explanation as to what is so “personal” about them? Was she sexually involved with a co-conspirator?
if the dems would just…. oh never mind…
New Thread
Gore says Carter has earned the right to say what he thinks. Run. Please be president, Mr. Gore.
Gore is leaving a crack in the door.
LS @ 196
details please!
Gore is da man!
Arca @ 149
That report is Pure Democratic Theater
Gore is saying he won’t say he is not a candidate.
JPL @ 201
60 votes for…impeachment?
Gore tells King he may be a candidate for prez ‘at some future date’.
Al Gore in 2008. Accept no substitutes.
I like Edwards and his message, but the country needs Gore.
Rayne @ 217
cloture?
Alfred Kelgarries @ 140
A new Cassie in training!!! Soon she’ll be blogging over at Cassie’s website. Next thing is she’ll have her own website!
Give her a hug for me. Sounds like she’s a winner!
Bob in HI
punaise @ 220
60 for cloture, 67 for impeachment…
punaise @ 219
;->
Frank Probst @ 190
In fact, someone should tell Ms. Goodling that IF HER TESTIMONY is later shown to be CONTRARY to the documentation that she is with-holding (”AND WE WILL GET THOSE DOCUMENTS, MS. GOODLING…They don’t BELONG to YOU!”) that she will find that her immunity will evaporate afster than an ice-cube on an Iraqi August day. Perjury, Contempt of Congress, and whatever direct criminal charges that she is lying to conceal.
“Tell, the TRUTH…Ms. Goodling! We will obtain those GOVERNMENT documents!”
TRex @ 29
Maybe that’s the government’s official jobtitle for Jeff “Bulldog” Gannon too.
I’m going to continue to vote for Dems, however, I’ll vote against any invertebrate in all primaries for a higher life form.
Alfred Kelgarries @ 32
Dems can Impeach and Eject, right?
Rayne @ 217
I think 60 to block a filibuster (for cloture)….simple majority to pass a bill…66 to override a veto.
A simple majority in the House can bring forward an impeachment TRIAL in the Senate. But it requires 2/3rds of the attending Senators to vote for a conviction.
John Casper @ 44
You’re welcome – she was a heroine of my Daddy’s generation of newspaper reporters. My mother’s heroine of the time was the great poet Edna St. Vincent Millay who was, in turn, so taken by Thompson’s courage and fearless writing skills she mentioned her frequently on her own radio broadcasts throughout the years Hitler was coming to power. My favorite book on her is “Dorothy and Red”, and should be available in most public libraries though it has long been out of print.
cinnamonape @ 224
I want the SJC or HJC to subpoena any and all emails to/from Mark McKinnon and Public Strategies by any DOJ employee or Wehner in WH-OSI. I think the fact they let that bit slip indicates there’s incriminating info within their email.
Jeepers, I wonder who manages Public Strategies email…same company that did RNC’s email?
edit: should include Maverick Media, too…damn, there’s a lot of email entities.
TexBetsy @ 154
plplplplpl
she wants REAL baby pix…
American democracy would seem to be in it’s last throes. An Executive that has usurped and corrupted almost all instruments of power and governance, a Congress that is becoming about as relavent as the Roman Senate during the reign of the Emperors, a public saited with the smell of a powerful gasoline and spoonfed indoctrination and propaganda and a MSM that is more concerned with priviledge and power than truth and justice. The life of all great nations follow a predictable arc. America is no different despite it’s stubborn belief in the myth of exceptionalism. Only when the people rise up in a tidal wave of righteous indignation will the Republic have a fighting chance. Until then there is nothing but sound and fury amounting to next to nothing.
OMG – Al Gore Live on Larry King!
ReElect President Al Gore in 2008!
Accept no subsitute. h/t punaise
pwrlght @ 153
must respectfully disagree, it’s only fifty percent of his time on Hollywierd and American Idol. The other fifty percent is on hyping the show that exposes perverts.
He’s got his priorities, it seems.
But tonight Keith was followed by Dan Abrams on the American Idol hype… guess Scarborough had the night off
Why isn’t there a special prosecutor investigating the attorney firings matter? Congress lacks the votes to impeach on the basis of administration obstruction of justice.
Congressional requests and subpoenas seemingly lead to nothing but endless delays and negotiations, ultimately no response. Someone needs to be taking these witnesses before a grand jury, offering immunity or jail, getting their testimony, and using the evidence obtained.
punaise @ 219
I know everyone is upstairs, but I agree wholeheartedly. I also think he’s running; new book that blasts Bush, working out, staying in the public eye, etc.
He’s smart not to declare until the last minute.
dakine01 @ 186
Also used when signing up for social security… military service adds a few dollars to the monthly checks.
Evan @ 235
See the comments above about Joe Lieberman threatening to changes parties as well as the vote counts needed. No special prosecutor appointed by Abu, but not enough votes to reauthorize the Office of Independent Counsel.
Need to impeach Abu, but need to get the votes. I have a suspicion this was on the table along with Lieberman’s threat. Repugs would go along with both No Confidence AND Abu’s impeachment only if Dems caved. [sigh]
Rayne @ 183
I respectfully wonder if the final Delta should be edited:
I’m proposing deletion of the latter half of the above Delta:
because I do not perceive the causal connection.
Lieberman votes “no” on Stop War bills.
vs:
Lieberman prevents vote on Stop War Bills.
At the moment, the Dems keep Lieberman’s “vote” by abandoning the legislation.
Perhaps I’m just too preoccupied with mechanisms, but I fail to comprehend how allowing Lieberman to ensure legislation is never discussed is tactically superior to lacking certainty that legislation is passed.
From this perspective, the latter half of the Delta above seems like it belongs in the “Plus” column.
PS: Looking at the tactic from a strategic level…
The Dem leaders prefer to allow their opponent to decide whether and where to enter combat.
Much better than the Dem leaders actually using their power to select which fights to enter and win.
No wonder the RNC types have to pay for domination.
The DNC types are smarter.
They found work where they get paid to submit.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 218
Oh My Goddess
Gore/Edwards ‘08
Hope Rahm chokes.
snowbird42 @ 176
Feingold is my kinda guy, along with Edwards. He “stoops” to write on DailyKos, and when he does, he doesn’t sound like he dropped in from another planet– He sounds comfortable with the medium and his audience, like he knows us.
Bob in HI
Loo Hoo. @ 66
Unless she shows up like a Mob witness, with a mask or a bunch of pixels for a head….
RevDeb @ 178
Good idea. Help prime the pump to impeach Gonzales! We need some good leads.
What would be the best examples of:
* Perjury?
* Obstruction of justice?
* Hatch Act violations?
* What other laws has he broken?
Bob in HI
Frank Probst @ 190
She might be young–dumb–naive enough to think that she is going to get to play this both ways. Stonewall for Karl, keep immunity for herself. She is not paying good attention to the history of who gets thrown under the bus (Libby) when Karl’s ass is on the line…
I PREDICT…….Monica will break down and start crying on the stand tomorrow which will ellicit a sympathy vote for her and go against those big bad bullie democrats who ask her question s about why she wanted to keep americans from voting by putting political hacks in at USA position s and why in gods name is Tim Griffin still sitting as a USA in Arkansas?????
What is the point of any more of these committee hearings?
Regardless of whats found, the Dems will cave in, give their seal of approval. Waste of time.
I will vote for ANYONE (for president) who says end the stupidity of Iraq. And if its a Rep who says that and I think they have the best chance of winning, they get my vote.
VictorLaszlo @ 8
There are no Repugs in this report because their good friends in the oil industry comp all their junkets. No need for tax dollars there, the price gouging at the pump will cover those costs.
I just read we found one of the missing soldiers floating face down in the Euphrates River. What a sad and horrifying ending for this soldier– shot in the head and chest and dumped in a river.
I WAS a Republican but NO MORE, there is no way I want myself associated this band of numbnuts.
Now I see what Bush is doing with this “surge” he is hoping he can wait out the civil war thinking the Iraqis will wear themselves out. And he can say victory is ours and history will judge me right—BS. Ain’t going to happen… Bush and co keep getting margin calls and keep making them. BUT remember you never make a margin call, take your loss and move on…not happening here though.
This war which is permeating our pysche is one of dying by a thousand cuts….all so the Bush crew can save face and leave office with dignity , no scratch that I mean no guilt–well it is not going to happen!
The way things are going over there if by the end of summer a devastating event occurs in Iraq it will rock our confidence as a nation –I hope not but the way things are going , it will only get worse.
Remember never make a margin call , take the loss –you are throwing good money after bad but here it throwing good lives away after good lives… time to move on