Testimony is set to begin at 2:30 pm ET in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Witnesses today will be Bradley J. Schlozman, Associate Counsel to the Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Former Interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice and Todd Graves, Former U.S. Attorney, Western District of Missouri. Should be some interesting testimony today.
Emptywheel called me a few minutes ago. She and Tiredfed are going to be able to attend the hearing. C-Span3 will be covering the proceedings live, according to their scheduling information. I'm not going to do detailed liveblogging of the proceedings, but will be watching along for notable moments and will pick those out for everyone and put them up as they come along until I have to go and pick up The Peanut from preschool.
Please feel free to point out what you are hearing in the comments as well.
******
Thus far, the things striking me today are as follows:
– For as much time as this man has spent prepping for his testimony, and the number of people who helped him prep, this is appallingly thin and weaselly. Perhaps it is purposely so but, still, the coughing tells and the "Senator" tells are stunningly obvious as a lead-in to a weasel moment. And Schlozman may have bested the AG Gonzales number of "I don't recall" answers already today.
– There are NO Republicans in the chamber to ask questions. This means a couple of things. (1) The more partisan members of the committee are trying to stay away to argue that it is the Dems on a fishing expedition and that they are going to stay above the fray — in other words, they are hiding from their duty of oversight to protect their party's political wing. And (2) the less-partisan, more old-time DOJ affiliate GOP members of the committee are so disgusted by Mr. Schlozman's actions that they do not feel the need to help him cover his own behind, nor make excuses for the Bush Administration's piss poor conduct.
– Mr. Schlozman is woefully uninformed about the usual practices of USAttys, DOJ internal rules and regs and he also has very little respect for the oversight obligations of Congress given how whiny and incomplete his testimony has been thus far. (The Leahy questions early on regarding the Red Book requirements on non-politicizing prosecutions were classic.)
– The members of the Senate Judiciary Committee show up prepared to ask questions. It's either good staffing, good membership, or both. But it is quite impressive. Kudos to them.
– Sen. Leahy quote of the day: "During the course of your preparation, did you find that you remembered anything?"
3:40 pm ET
Schlozman getting testy with Sen. Feinstein on the voting suppression issues that Hefflefinger brought up for Native Americans in his district. Feinstein trying to get at how Goodlng knew about complaints about Hefflefinger — Schlozman says he has "no idea" how Goodling knew about complaints about Hefflefinger. I'm having Sgt. Schultz deja vu every time this guy opens his mouth.
Hearing is recessed for a few minutes for a vote on the floor of the Senate.
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Goddamn, this man sounds like he was huffing helium all morning. Why do all the wingnuts in the DOJ sound like chipmunks?
Alvin
Me!
I Don’t Recall! – Who am I?
not recalling getting resumes or recommendations from folks Feingold is listing, except his boss. not monica, not kyle
Man, Alvin needs to see a neurologist about his memory loss. He’s throwing out as many “I don’t recall” ’s as Gonzales.
This season of Law & Order: SJC is awesome.
who is hanss?
Leahy, Schumer, Whitehouse, Feinstein, Feingold vs. Alvin.
It’s like an all-star game.
Back to ACORN.
zhiv @ 9
Against the last place Little League team
No Republicans there? Have they thrown him under the proverbial bus?
A couple more weeks of this and not only the wheels but the transmission will be off the bus.
Alvin trying to invoke GJ screcy rules to avoid questions now…
1oldlady @ 8
From my scandals list:
queridobobo @ 1
He says he’s from Kansas. Maybe he’s a Lollipop Kid. BWAHAHAHAHA!
Follow the Yellow Brick Road…
Alvin’s using a variation of the “Can’t talk about an ongoing investigation” argument. Lame.
Haralambos @ 12
but there response will be “what bus?”
My laptop is still acting hinky — am going to tinker with it a bit more. Thanks much to everyone for following along in the comments. Much appreciated while I do a bit more diagnostic on this…
Haralambos @ 12
Senate Repubs are PO’d at DoJ, unlike the house
Hugh @ 14
Hans = Thug
Hugh @ 14
Thx :)
He can’t speak for anyone else. Heck, he can barely speak for himself.
Alvin has a huge tell: every time he begins an answer with “Senator-”, he’s patently lying.
Leahy again.
Alvin: what you really want to know, I can’t tell you.
Feingold: Missouri R’s using voter fraud as club against McCaskell. Alvin-uh, I don’t know why he would say that. Feingold laughung-I think you do.
Feingold laughing at the lunacy of the lies…
Leahy: I think you used the rule book as doorstop rather than something to be followed…
Doorstop!
two beers @ 23
Just like Abu.
Whoa. Feingold just inferred he thinks Alvin’s lying through his fumanchu.
“I can’t speak for anybody else. I don’t know why he said what he said.”
Feingold: Well, I think you do. *snicker *snicker
This Schlozman is a real Republican weasel. Why don’t the Senators take off their gloves and beat this a hole silly.
TR @ 22
Payback are a B*TCH, TR! We’re wastin’ good snacks today.
since hugh won’t give you the link, i will *g*
hugh’s list of bush scandals
Leahy says he’s trying to break AG’s record of I don’t recall!
Favorites moments so far:
Pat: I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve said “I don’t recall.”
Leahy: Who did you meet with to prep? Who? WHO?
Alvin coughing up the names.
one million times “I dont remember”
two million times ” I dont recall”
Leahy picking up where he left off.
Heh-Leahy saying Alvin must be trying to break Gonzales’ record for the number of times “I don’t recall” was used.
Leahy: On committee for 30 years and you’re first to tell us not available.
I put your name on list for subpoenas and suddenly you’re avail.
You had 3 weeks to prepare but I think you’re trying to break AGAG record for “I dunnos”
Who did you meet with to prepare your testimony.
Leahy forcing him to give specific names rather than just generic offices
Telling him TS re: vacation!!!
Right on!!! They didn’t reschedule for the little imp.
Leahy says he says “I don’t recall” more than Gonzo. BWAHAHAHA!
TR @ 22
Ain’t it the truth. He doesn’t think filing charges days before an election would have any effect on the election even though a Republican Party release said exactly that.
Leahy is right to be pissed at this sh*t.
I met with:
Nancy Scott-Finan
Hertling
John Gillis civil rights division
Paul Colburn OLC
Craig Catus (sp)
The cocky little squeaker is having a sighing fit now.
Thanks for the list, LS!
25-30 hours of prep in the DOJ to testify he doesn’t remember anything.
Alvin looks like he’s resigned himself to taking what’s left of his nuts and going home.
He’s really lackluster now.
How much time did you spend preparing? HA HA!
Then, why don’t you REMEMBER anything?
LS @ 43
wonder if these guys went back to Gonzales
How much time in preparing testimony:
25-30 hours
Stonewall, Stonewall, Stonewall! The Republican MO
two beers @ 23
Actually, he appears to be lying *whenever* he answers directly and quickly. It’s only when he hems and haws first that he seems to be telling the truth.
Think about that for a moment. This is a guy who is more comfortable lying than telling the truth.
Leahy brining up Heffilfinger voting rights for NA
Schlozman as Civil rights blocked
Sounds like Leahy is prepared for a bare-knuckle, no-holds-barred fight with this p*ssy!
BTW the reason that Scholzman didn’t show up originally was that he was on vacation.
Woodhall Hollow @ 45
he used the abu method of preparation.
Alvin: Rich is…inaccurate.
two beers @ 23
“Senator” = stalling for time. So fucking blatant.
Hugh @ 55
And Leahy is correct to be PO’d at that. What little I remember from my Civil Service days, I could be called form vaca if necessary, damn the no-refund tickets.
Ok, just got the link to c-span 3 to cut and paste into my mac’s windows media player.
HOLY COW!! LEAHY IS DRILLING the Bradmeister!!!! No holds!!!
Who? Who? WHO DID YOU MEET WITH to prepare for today’s testimony?!?!?!?!?!
N Brad Boy FINALLY rattles off the names he was trying to not reveal!
HOW MUCH TIME?!?!?!?! Asks it 4 times, FINALLY gets an answer. BradBoy is SQUIRMING!!!!!
I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!!
Next topic: Native American voter protection in MN, and Schlozman’s role in killing Thomas Heffelfinger’s investigation. Apparently, the dept was just snowed under with voter fraud complaints and some investigations had to be shut down.
O snap! I had no idea this was today. Any bombshells?
I hope that Leahy keeps this hearing open and going around and around with the questions until this little bully cries.
a v-8 moment!
kdh22 @ 54
Not that he’d have much of a fight.
Alvin’s read the LATimes, too. My. For someone who doesn’t read newspapers, he sure keeps up to date on what they say. Must be he reads them while he’s lining his bird cage or something.
anne @ 62
yes..to many to say!
oh man, this guy isn’t even a competent liar.
Are we sure he’s a Republican?
Also from the scandals list:
The push to oust Heffelfinger appears to have resulted from an attempt to suppress the Native American vote in 2004. In Minnesota, many Native Americans vote Democratic, live off reservation, and have tribal IDs as their principal source of identification. The Republican Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer refused to accept these for voting purposes. An assistant US attorney in Heffelfinger’s office Rob Lewis contacted Joseph Rich a career prosecutor and the head of the voting section of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Rich recommended an investigation which was vetoed by Bradley Scholzman. Attempts to gather further information were effectively derailed by Hans von Spakovsky. Shortly before the November election, federal District Judge James Rosenbaum ruled that tribal IDs could be used.
leahy i think you use this manual as a doorstop. not do investigation near election. first in 30 years…not available 3 weeks ago when put in list of subpoenas suddenly you had plenty of time. you tried to break AG record of saying i dont recall to Q in that 3 wks you shd have prepared for. who did you discuss w
A office legislative affairs Nancy Scott Feinin someboydoffice of John Gillis civil right div Paul Colburn ofc legal counsel Greg Katsis assoc AG office
Q WH?
A no
Q discuss w ag
A no
Q how much time preparing testimony
A looking over past info docu
Q how much time
A i dunno um 25 30hrs i guess
Q as you prepared was there anything you remembered
A documents allowed me torefresh my recollection i got to committees invittan it had been almost 15 months
Q when you go over testimony from today i hope you remember some of those things you said you dont recall
Q tom heppelwhilte re discrim native americans, protection investigation, plenty time to explain, against 4 individu eve of an election, goes contrary to election guidebook, despite express priority in guidebook for protect voting rights ofminorities you stopped AG of MN you quashed against native americans. joel __ why not pursue
A mr richs report completely inaccurate 2004 time period dozens complaints a day
Q you disagree
A somany complaints assigning extra staff we wanted to properly triage how handled
Q LA times you told him not do anything native american issue special sensitivyt of this matter what was special senst about this
A pre election any time civil rights phone calls make newspaper get attn not going off half cocked in any juriscn
Q not case in MO however
A completely diff case 2 yrs later
Q this is leahy btw did you restrict MN people they coldnt speak w
A instructed my people this was something we shd we look into sec state allegation interpretation potentially discriminatory using tribal ID first person to go to nobody killed investigna
Q wt doj employees responsble decision not go forward
A voting counsel said contact sec state
jayt @ 67
I thought lying was a Repug prerequisite.
anne @ 62
This is far and away the best committee performance so far, against the weakest opponent. Just amazing stuff. I assume TPM must be putting up clips already, but it just keeps getting better….
This is so much fun, these guys deserve this so bad.
Thanks everyone
see this is what happens when you put people in charge of an important dept who have little experience or no experience.
Good God. Why aren’t we grilling Rove? Somewhere.
Did you discuss Heffelfinger with Goodling? NO
Sampson – No
I didn’t discuss him with anyone.
Q monica goodling?
no
Q
black no
sampson no
i didnt talk about heffel w anyone
not doj not wh
leahy time is up
sorry format:
difi arizona april 2005 justice informed az require photo ids when issueing provisional ballots to voters
leahy leaving to vote
Back to Feinstein.
Sparkles the Iguana @ 58
Interesting observation. For those not familiar with the Paul Ekman research on basic emotions and how they show in the face, I suggest doing a search for him.
Think about this – this guy was an interim United States Attorney.
Leahy going to vote prev. said he has more questions.
I’ve got video of the hearing, but no speakers @ work – nope CSpan shows this hearing later tonight.
Thanks Jane, Redd & Marcy – what a day here at the Lake.
it’s just feinstein vs. schlozman…
DiFi back up asking about AZ
Leahy goes to vote asks DiFi to recess after her question
DiFi: Were you involved in drafting initial letter in ‘05
Alvin: I may have been don’t recall
D:anyone from WH involved?
Alvin: No
DiFi: Did Hanss Von object to second draft?
Alvin: No
newtonusr @ 80
I think I just threw up my sandwich.
Damn, of all the days for my mother to be in town — I have missed the incredible fireworks, and will likely miss a lot of what’s left of this hearing. Take lots of copious notes, gang.
And thanks to Jane, Marcy, Christy for the coverage; it’s times like this when I know exactly what I’m missing that you folks are so important to me. Can’t wait to get back in here (sorry, Mom).
The reason that restricting the investigation to working with the Minnesota Secretary of State would have killed the it is because Kiffmeyer is a Republican whackjob.
I love that they keep asking if the Whitehouse was involved in every thing they are grilling him about.
So far , he knows nutink.
Wow. The testimony in the US Attorney Purge story hearings has occasionally been a little combustible. But there’s never been anything remotely like the exchange going on right now between Bradley Schlozman (chief minority vote suppressor and serial dissembler) and Sen. Leahy. I’m not sure I’ve seen anything like it. We’re going to have running updates and video. But it’s on CSPAN 3 if you want to watch it in real time. Schlozman is … well, you’ve just got to see it.
This quote is from TPM Josh Marshall
One thing Republicans learned from both Watergate and Iran-Contra was deny, lie, stonewall and make sure you can’t recall.
newton’s @ 79
If I was convicted of a crime during his reign – just think of all the leverage I now have in my appeal. The appellate court would let me go just because this guy is an idiot.
That is the real damage – all prosecution are now under a cloud.
Did you talk to Kyle Sampson, Monica Goodling, or anyone else about him(Heffelfinger)?
No.
fooj @ 15
I can assure you that many Kansans do not accept any responsibility for producing this idiot.
newtonusr @ 79
What are you saying, that he’s no Patrick Fitzgerald?
newtonusr @ 80
I know being a USA is a big deal, but I think it’s even worse–and more amazing–that he was in charge of Voting Rights. And for a long time.
oh she is got him
Sparkles the Iguana @ 94
And chimpy is…
Oklahoma kiddo @ 75
I suggest a mesquite wood fire over a roasting spit. But do we want to roast Rove with a dry rub, or a wet rub?
Okay, now I’ve put myself off my feed for the day.
I love oversight!
He’s throwing the MN voting to the SecofState there (I understand a nutter)
DiFi hitting on how he threw MN to their Sec of State for NA yet in KN had to bring chargeswhen the state was handling it OK
DiFi not buying the cr*p he’s selling.
Di asks why MG said that Heffelfinger on list for spending to much time and why she said thi?
just a few moments ago,
senator patrick leahy
echoed every one of CHS’s
“striking” observations, at
the end of her post, above. . .
CHS is on the record, in the
testimony — almost verbatim.
C O O O O O O O L. . .
Ain’t it great. Almost seven months after the last election we’ve ‘got’ Libby. And more soldiers in Iraq. And more deaths too.
Feinstein making a good point. When it is voter fraud Scholzman was all over it but when it is voter suppression it’s a big yawn.
What happen to the prosecution in Missouri – did the workers get convicted?
Sorry, who is Heffelfinger? (sp)
difi elections asst commission disagreed and not allow ids for provisional ballots were you involved w letter april 2005
A i dont believe i was involved in drafting i may have looked at it
Q who
A voting counsel front office
Q WH
A PAUSE no
Q object? to interprettn
A um…i dont think
difi let me go as others have to mr hefflefinger wh role if any protect voting rights MN native americans put him on the list
A no idea
Q sampson, monica
A no
Q dpty about his performance
A no
Q request that doj look into possible discrim
A no
Q speak w anyone aobut it
A presumably my voting counsel
Q is it true that mr heff made a request
A directly into the voting section, based on LA times same case
Q us atty says we have a prblm dont you look at that
A we directed voting section chief to contact sec st
Q i just find it you have acorn in one state being solved by the locals, indictments, one was wrong, here native amer denied right to vote certain ID you say up to sec state
A investign allerged interprettn was to potentially disenfranchise contact sec state who apparently was responsble for this interp
Q i accept thats your answer i just find it strange monica goodling said heffl was spending an excessive amt of time on native amer issues how wd she know that
A no ida
Q and yet its your dpt and heff called you and you say you didnt talk
A he didnt call me, according to LA times
Q who did he call
A im basing my statements on LA times
Q you saying you know nothing
A today do i recall conversatn i apparently had? i cant recall one of a thousand complaints in oct 2004
Q how did you make decision im very puzzled indictment of 4 workers when state was already taking care of it yet other instances you didnt intervene. some of us feel thats politically directed
A violations anti fraud nat voting im not aware county prosecutor Kansas city sent letter to fbi etc
Q youre saying only decision you made was file indictment prior to election
A at direction of public integrity section yes
Q recess, you are not excused yet
temporary recess.
I’m not aware. I don’t recall
Says the indictment at the direction of public elections
Recess but Alvin not excused as members WILL be returning for further questions…
break to vote now, but coming back
Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel!
I must say he is providing a tour-de-force of weaseling!
These are violations of a federal statute! he says with much vigor and righteousness as though he would never, ever do such a thing.
Hearing recessed.
He reminds me of Sampson.
Woodhall Hollow @ 46
The senators should ask whether anyone advised him to say I don’t know, I don’t recall, I don’t remember when asked questions he did not want to answer.
He’s got a weird voice, but it makes a nice tenor, huh?
Eureka Springs @ 103
MN USA who jumped before being pushed
Actually the big news here, is that Bush is getting to cold war back on track.
Pls pardon OT here, but didn’t have a chance to post this during the Libby circus earlier today…
——
If U didn’t see it already, maybe check out my http://tinyurl.com/yvu7pa (written before the Libby verdict and just as relevant now on Libby sentencing day…)?
I based it on Wolverine’s excellent start on “The Wrath Of Big Patrick Fitzgerald” (from Gordon Lightfoot’s original lyric of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” ( http://tinyurl.com/nhqh5 )).
———
‘PupMap (651 people!), Gabbly Chat, Calendar, Timeline (Click here or on my .SIG above)
dept of public interigry! who are they and whats their purpose. why havent they been in front of this committee?
“I am not aware…” bazillion times.
Did he and Gonzo have the same coach?
He did name Hertling.
Bob in HI
Eureka Springs @ 104
Fired US attny from Minnesota. There is a lot on him at TPM and the next Hurrah.
break now, but for how long and when does graves testify? until when are they working? it’s already 9.40pm here in germany, I gotta work early tomorrow but don’t wanna miss a thing! god bless the internet tubes!
I think a better job for Schloz would be selling socks at Payless. Seriously, how did he ever get a DOJ job….any DOJ job….
Hugh @ 86
Whereas in Missouri, it was taken out of the hands of the Dem SoS and taken over by the Feds. Both considered swing Senate elections.
Curious, that.
Taking a break, don’t run off sonny.
Someone put a piece of paper in front of DiFi just as she broke for recess.
egregious, you have the most amazing transcription skills I’ve ever seen.
AZ Matt @ 108
Actually with that voice it’s chipmunking
neurophius @ 112
I have a feeling Leahy will come back to this. He just needs to stew for a few minutes.
fooj @ 48
Because all of his coaches were telling him what NOT to say, and how to avoid saying anything of substance?
Bob in HI
All this bullshit…
We NEED a special prosecutor to be appointed
Hang on, C-Span voice saying the hearing will resume after the votes on the floor are completed.
I think CSPAN just zoomed on Marcy
Eureka Springs @ 104
Heffelfinger was the US attorney for Minnesota who left but was probably pushed out probably because of this voting suppression scheme hatched by the Republican Secretary of State which he wanted investigated. He was replaced by the totally incompetent Rachel Paulose.
From the scandals list:
Fred Thompson yukking it up.
Blergh.
RonD @ 123
Double Ding! Bless you egregious!
egregious to her corner, being fanned with towels by her cornermen, gets a big swig of Gatorade and spits, reinserts mouthpiece and readies herself for the next round..
OT – Leahy reacts to Guantanamo dismissals.
The revelation about the email traffic with teh home office was a big blunder on his part. Trying to save his own ass, and he slipped and said, well, I did it because I was told to, and there is email traffic to prove it. Someone is giving him a serious dressing down right about now.
End of his career as a loyal Bushie. Not allowed those kinds of slip ups.
The Party before country always! There is not one Republican with any honor.
Democrats. What exactly is the long view? You know; the big picture.
newspaperbrat @ 132
Absolutely. Much thanks to you, Egregious.
law and order…oops thats fred thompson! right like we need another actor in office! oh crap, one is in my state! oops one went from my state to the white house, oops they just cant find another like him, ekekekekek
RonD @ 123
yeah but Marcy does this using capital letters and punctuation. I bow before the master.
And thank you newtonusr, TR, and newspaperbrat :) you are most welcome. Gotta keep busy.
Bluetoe @ 136
Most especially Joe Lieberman!
chipmunkery
Sparkles the Iguana @ 121
I think a better job for Schloz would be selling socks at Payless. Seriously, how did he ever get a DOJ job….any DOJ job….
I think I was wrong earlier to suggest that James Carville could work at Chuck E. Cheese’s. This guy would be perfect there, and with that voice, he wouldn’t scare the kids – just make ‘em laugh at him.
Gang, I’m going to have to run out shortly and pick up The Peanut from preschool. But I’ll put up a fresh thread before I go to be certain you have enough space with Schlozman until I can get back. Huge thanks to everyone doing the liveblogging in the comments — much appreciated!
Sparkles the Iguana @ 122
He got the DOJ job because they know he is a Party loyalist and true believer. That’s all that’s required.
Sparkles the Iguana @ 120
Hey, are you kidding? They have a whole host of little pricks in leadership positions at DOJ Main that have LESS experience and credentials than this moron. (See: Goodling, Monica; Sampson, Kyle etc. etc.).
Woodhall Hollow @ 135
I particularly loved how he tried to say ‘well, DOJ will have to approve its release’ and Leahy snorted and said they’d subpoena it, thank you very much. Oopsie.
jayt @ 143
I think I was wrong earlier to suggest that James Carville could work at Chuck E. Cheese’s. This guy would be perfect there, and with that voice, he wouldn’t scare the kids – just make ‘em laugh at him.
This time it was the diet Pepsi all over the screen.
I hope the senators are having a little bowl of wheaties during the break and send some over to the House… this hearing is great stuff..
BTW, thanks Hugh
I wish to add my thanks to egregious and the liveblogging.
neurophius @ 111
Well, we already know his answer to that one: ‘Senator- I don’t recall if anyone coached me to answer “I don’t recall.”‘ !!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 116
His Islamo-fascist is beginning to wear a little thin so it’s only natural to resurrect the bear. Ultra nationalists and xenophobes always need a convenient enemy.
newspaperbrat @ 141
Most especially Joe Lieberman!
I keep tellin yez all, I’m re-watching the Star Wars flix and I contend that Senator Joe LIEberman and High Commissioner Palpatine (the secret Sith Dark Lord) were separated at birth! :)
TPM has video of the Leahy-Alvin dustup:
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003356.php
What are the GOp members of this Committee doing during this hearing — bathing in their gold coins, like Scrooge McDuck? Seriously, have these GOPers no shame? Six years of no oversight of this criminal enterprise in DoJ, and now they can’t be bothered to come to committee hearings.
Regarding someone’s recommendation to have two screens open–.
If you choose RealPlayer as your video feed, you can click the “view” menu at the top of the screen and specify that the player is always on top. Thus, you can continue other work in other programs – ie Word, Adobe Reader or Excel or whatever, and the video stays. You can also size it to tiny or whatever you please.
TR @ 148
Thats not just a mouth full, but I did do it with my V-8 moment!!1 ;0
He brings up the issue that voting fraud complaints were coming in that more people were assigned to investigate them. Leahy needs to ask who was bringing these complaints. If a master list was compiled, I have a hunch that it would be either a very short list or the list would be populated by various euphemistically named citizens watch dog groups that no longer exist.
Watching the live feed while reading FDL is way kewl.
Larue thanks, HEARTILY, EG, Marcy, CHS and any and all FDL’ers who are enabling this . . . . it’s SO nice to see a thug take a drubbing!!!
The testimony of these Bushies (Knodler, Doan, Goodling, Gonzo, Sampson, Schlozman, et al) takes “plausable deniability” to heretofor new unheard of heights. (IMplausable deniability?)
Obviously, that is Rove’s gameplan. Wothout subpeonas and special prosecutors, his gameplan will succeed.
One can see the frustration on the Senators faces.
egregious – your live bloggin rocks!
TR @ 154
Geeze! He DOES sound like s chipmunk! LOL
This guy makes Kyle Sampson look like Clarence Darrow
Another amazed pup here. Huge props Egregious!
Me an’ my two finger typing are severely humbled.
Egregious – I am in with the others, Thank You. Must be the Louboutins. I am going to get that joke assigned to the right party sooner or later…..
Bluetoe @ 136
if you were a repub., what on earth would YOU find to make this guy look competent?!
i haven’t been able to watch/listen to it all… but i do have an audio recording going and will post an mp3 if there is an interest.
Cozumel @ 161: I wish I could lay claim to that inspired moniker but alas, ’tweren’t me.
But Alvin does sound overtly chipmunkish.
newtonusr @ 133
Please, sir, our egregious would not spit. Especially not in those fetching boots.
Bob in HI
can’t youtube now, the prompt page that was causing IE dumps from here, must have deleted my flash player, am not paying for it again…
Fred Thompson’s got good writers.
It’s time to get him on the record, immediately, about his views on Scoots’ pardon.
Law & Order, my ass.
TeddySanFran @ 154
I’m thinkin’ that the Goopers are ducking this so they DON’T have to be apologists. Given the attitude of most of them except Hatch, they aren’t real happy with DoJ. Rather than embarass themselves by giving some of Orrin’s reach-arounds just not showing…
I’m guessing Alberto Ghraib wanted no subordinates with voices lower pitched than his own.
Adie @ 166
hamsterwheel
Oh, no – badgers!
About ACORN indictments: 4 people forged 6 elections forms total. 1 person is incompetent to stand trial, two pled guilty, 1 unknown status. End of story.
“But let’s look at the indicted crimes themselves. The four defendants were accused of forging the registration forms for a grand total of six voters (Caren Davis was responsible for three). … But in their evident haste to indict, the prosecutors made a mistake — they indicted the wrong person. Three weeks after the election, Schlozman’s office dropped the charges against one of the defendants, Stephanie Davis, admitting that her identity was used without her permission. It was not until January of this year that Schlozman’s office finally indicted one Caren Davis, who was apparently the person they were really after. Caren Davis’ lawyer Dana Altieri told me that Davis is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether she is competent to stand trial. …Two of the four defendants have pled guilty “
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003107.php
TeddySanFran @ 172
I like to think the Senate and House Chairpeople have a special dial on the microphones to screw with people.
Thank you everybody!
AJ @ 162
back to “tells”, anyone else think he hesitates extra long every time Sampson’s name is mentioned?
maybe blurting out “canned” answers is one sort of “tell” with him, but i think he’s lying thru his teeth about his connections and meetings w/ Sampson, because that big hesitation is not there with any other names when they’re listed rapid-fire by his inquisitors… just a thot, in case they drag what’s left of him back for more questions…
Wes Clark would field dress Fred Thompson head to head.
Let’s put who Shrum and McAuliffe want in to run against him instead…
Bluetoe @ 152
Is this guy (Bush) too much or what. Plan B. And the Americans will buy into it.
Scooter’s Going to Prison
Let the Good Times Roll – The Cars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYXTRJPGlNY
TeddySanFran @ 173
Maybe that’s why they were put on the list. It’s as good a reason as any given so far.
Bob Schacht @ 169
Well, that and being in public health by profession. And thanks for noticing the boots. We use ALL of our weapons :)
two beers @ 152
ROFL.
Just catching up on the morning’s threads (pout! evil boss!), and I have a question about Libby’s 250,000 fine: does Libby have to pay that himself, or can that money come out of his legal defense fund? (ie: is this something that will actually hurt him, or does he get off scot-free on this bill as well?)
bmaz @ 165
I see you caught up with my comments at TNH.
Thompson stoking the Terra Terra Terra fire.
Jesus, thats all they have.
My sister says Alvin’s voice got higher when he was lying. Anyone else notice?
ot – michael moore is discusssing his new film “sicko” on oprah right now. 4PM EST – he’s only on for 1/2 the show, so the timing will work w/ the SJC hearing.
thank goodness for tv remotes & fdl blogs
TeddySanFran @ 172
heh heh..
Darn, I’m missing everything. Just got back from work. I’m looking at CSpan 3 but it’s Fred Thompson. Am I in the right place?
carolyn urban @ 189
You’re in the right place. It’s just a recess for votes.
carolyn urban @ 190
yes…lots missed, but the show will resume ;)
carolyn urban @ 190
They’re in recess at the moment; should hopefully be back soon.
Tucker about Libby commenting on “all of the bloggers and morons who talk about things they know know nothing about.”
Pot meet kettle.
thanks anne.
aquart @ 187
Was it possible for his voice to go higher? Wouldn’t that put it in dog-whistle range?
aquart @ 188
I don’t know that it’s necessarily when he is lying, I was thinking it might be every time he poops his pants. I’m just sayin’, there were a few times he had that “I trusted a fart, til I shat in my pants” face.
Thomson sounds like the last 6 years haven’t happened.
Margaret Carlson on Tucker: “You’ve known Scooter, I’ve known Scooter…” to Tucker. I am outraged that Tucker, who sez Scooter is no neocon, is allowed by his boss to comment on this case, given that Ambassador Carlson, his dad, leads the defense fund.
All Carlson, alla time, on Tucker.
Tucker:”I like Scooter Libby, but he lied. I don’t like lying”
and everyone.
fred thompsom is scaring me.
he’s doing a great job recruiting for the D party.
battle of civilization vs evil
congress debating a surrender date
death tax
social security running out of money
Oh, I have to disagree with the above comment that Fred has good writers.
…waiting for Red November… not impressed.
And, just now, Our country needs to be strong. We need to be strong!
…again, not impressed.
Do we think our country needs more stupid one liners?
Did we ever, for one instance, imagine that we need to be weaker?
How completely non-committal to say something so nonspecific.
He gives me the creeps. Can’t wait for the committee to reconvene.
Tucker bets Margaret a thousand dollars W won’t pardon Scooter.
Margaret: “Fitzgerald has had his way.”
I gotta turn this crap off.
Fred Thompson might just be the next prez.
Totally OT, but Joe Wilson is gonna be on Countdown tonight. I can’t wait to hear him and KO opine .
Margaret and Tucker need to acknowledge that Libby made choices and those choices put him in the situation he is in.
TeddySanFran @ 203
Remember that.
This is just like a real “reality show” oops, it is! Sad day for our justice department, lots of marriage between politics and justice! ;(
Does CSPAN have no sense of it’s audience filling the committee recess with gasbag Thompson. Yuck
Helen @ 194
Too funny. Libby is the ‘fall guy’ because he obstructed justice and made himslf the fall guy.
TeddySanFran @ 204
Tucker must figure that Bush will be impeached and removed from office and Cheney will pardon Scooter.
I wonder if Cheney would have that power if Bush was temporarily incapacitated, say, to have a tooth removed?
realworld @ 211
hey, just like PBS the bushies have entered in every sector of our policy
I fault Fitz for not calling Karl and Dick to testify in the Libby trial.
Back.
JComm back!
Committee back on! Yeah!
We’re back!
darn, I wanted to hear more about how the federal judiciary changes our social fabric Kick Butt, Leahy!
I want to hear about Carol Lam and the other CA prosecutor who switched sides for payola.
alvin…no sponge bob square pants at large!
Tucker, who sez Scooter is no neocon,…
then why is his signature on the PNAC 2000 report, Tucker?
dipshit.
With Fred it could be ‘morning in America’ again.
marksb @ 112
Bargain counter tenor.
jayt @ 223
yup
Lil’ summary of flavor of the last moments in Act 1, epu’d below (please see egregious for detailed accounting of events):
Pat: Do you know of any leaks from a USA to intimidate voters?
BS: No.. None.
For a JD graduate of George Washington University, Mr. Schlozman seems to know zip about election laws, the policies of the DoJ, and EOE proceedures. If this is what GWU produces, we can not tolerate the graduates of the 4th tier.
realworld @ 211
It’s called oppo research doncha know…
Maybe Tucker could invite OJ Simpson to talk about the injustice of it all.
At first I thought they were questioning Scholzman and a woman from DOJ until the camera cut to him and I realized that voice was coming outta him!
He sounds like Neil Sedaka on helium.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 182
With enough ad dollars the American public could be made to buy frozen dog turds on a stick. That’s all the Republican Party is, just a big ad machine that is able to get the American public to vote against their own best interests.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 215
but Fitzgerald brought a case about lying to a the FBI and Grand Jury – that doesn’t have anything to do with the leak or Rove.
Leahy on the GA pre-clearance of their ID requirements now…
dakine01 @ 228
That makes sense, but how can they tell if people are just staying tuned to wait for the committee to return, as opposed to actually watching Fred T?
Alvin trying to throw EVERYONE but himself under the bus. Some things are “I accepted the recommendation made by others” or “Someone else made that decision”
Anyone not aware???!
THEY”RE BACK in session !
http://www.c-span.org/watch/in…..mp;Code=CS
click on Watch or Listen, method of your choice, under C-Span 3
;->
Along with Wolfowitz, William Kristol, Robert Kagan and others, Libby was a founding member of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC).
http://www.wrmea.com/archives/…..09018.html
Leahy is honing in on how he corrupted the civil rights division.
Bradley is a really unconvincing liar. That “thinking” face just doesn’t work.
Any contact?
S: No
Leahy: You sure…looking straight at him
He’s got something
Leahy: Did youor anyone else in the civil rights division have contacts with the proponents of the GA law?
Alvin: I’m not aware of any
L: were you aware of anyone complaining and having contact on MO?
Alvin: Not aware
L: are you aware of complaints on the GA law after approval?
dakine01 @ 237
I *loved* the “My underling approved that, and I approved his approval, but that was his responsibility” line of excuses. THAT was entertaining.
Leahy: did you or anyone else from Justice have contact with proponents of the ID law?
Alvin: Nope
Leahy: were you aware of any?
Alvin: Nope, not aware
Leahy: you sure?….
Does Leahy have something up his sleeve?
Yeah, the look Leahy gave with the “you sure” was chilling – if you’re trying to hide something.
Now it’s OPRs fault that he grabbed e-mails…
FYI, Part III new thread upstairs
Leahy: I’m just a lwyaer from small town in VT so let me understand this…
LOL &707
new thread, folks
RagingGurrl @ 232
He’s being called Alvin in these parts. Chipmunk. Can’t remember who to credit.
Leahy — Perhaps I’m just a lawyer from a small town in Vermont, so let me repeat the question.
oh,oh — i just realized, Bradley sounds just like Mo Rocca!!
LS @ 75
Joe Rich sez you did, dickweed.
I want to see Rich testify before Congress, too.
pwrlght @ 234
Somebody leaked. And that is a crime. You might have been able to bring about charges as to originator and director of ‘the’ leak if you had had Rove and Cheney on the stand. I just do not buy the business about Cheney and Rove not testifying. And it would have been wonderful to see and hear these guys contradicting each other. I hardly think justice was completely served in the Cheney trial. Not by a long shot.
selise @ 202
And I’ll bet he has a “secret plan” for “peace with honor” in V…..Iraq.
oooh, Schumer-snark!
“Public Integrity Section?” WTF
Just another rope-a-dope strategy again, emphasis on the “dope”, when it comes to Mr. Schlozman. For a guy who was in all the wrong places at the wrong times when it came to voter fraud, voter suppression, USA skulduggery, he sure didn’t do much or know much if he is to be believed. I’ve noted before that AGAG was the pinata who just wont break open, no matter how many times he gets hit. Schlozman is doing the same. Why couldn’t the Senate have traded off appointing a special prosecutor in this for the Iraq supplemental approval? Until there is a GJ and the possibility of indictments, this is all theatre. Of the absurd.
Hugh @ 14
Look here.
“…he also has very little respect for the oversight obligations of Congress…” –CHS
That’s what I’m getting from all these Rovebot toadies: Their behavior is INSULTING. Deliberately. This is the Bush Junta’s opinion of our democracy. I’ve felt this for a long while, that the Cabal who put Bush in the White House was deliberately insulting the American people. Bush is their Ugly Doll to tell us what they think of us. And all these spawn of his–Gonzo, Schlozman, Goodling et al–keep reinforcing that sneering contempt for us and for every ideal of fairness and justice that we hold.
C-Span has also been insulting in its choice of commentators–for instance, today, Fred Thompson. I remember–it is seered into my memory–their trotting out Andy Young and two black women’s rights activists, one on each arm, in the Senate corridor during the Gonzo and Rice confirmation hearings, and their echoing what Orrin Hatch was saying in the chamber, that Democrats were racist for opposing these nominations. I could barely believe my eyes and ears–Andy Young had sunk so low. C-Span has a knack for strategic placment of fascist and fascist toady counterpoint.