The do-nothing Democrats throw a bone to nutroots: Contempt citations passed
Photoshop credit: Terry Barker
They’re stabbing each other in the back, sniping about their inability to advance their liberal agenda, but at least they’ve got some BDS-minted contempt citations!
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to hold two men who have been top aides to President George W. Bush in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its probe of the firing of federal prosecutors.
On a largely party-line vote, the Democratic-led panel sent contempt of Congress citations against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove to the full Senate for consideration.
“This is not a step I have wanted to take,” said Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat. He accused the White House of “stonewalling” and refusing to reach an acceptable compromise on providing documents and testimony.
In a battle dating back to shortly after Democrats took control of Congress in January, Bush has claimed executive privilege to protect aides from complying with subpoenas demanding documents and testimony in a congressional probe into the firing last year of nine federal prosecutors.
Setting the stage for a possible lengthy court fight, the committee rejected the privilege claim as unfounded.
At the White House, press secretary Dana Perino said, “The Democrats should know the futility of trying to press ahead with a criminal case.”
Republicans Arlen Specter and Charles Grassley pitched in. Said Specter:
Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, the top Republican on the committee, voted in favor of the contempt citations against his better wishes.
“It is a vote that I would prefer not to make,” Specter said at the committee hearing. “It is a vote that I will make with reluctance, but I will do so because I think it is necessary for the Congress to demonstrate our determination on Congressional oversight that it involves some very important, substantive programs.”
And acknowledging his own meaninglessness, Specter added:
“I vote for the contempt citations knowing that it’s highly likely to be a meaningless act,” said Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the judiciary panel’s ranking Republican. Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa was the other Republican who joined the panel’s 10 Democrats in voting for contempt charges.
More.
Flashback: Pat Leahy on executive privilege…from the Clinton years.
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The ATM tax is looming for 20million Americans and these idiots are spending their time on resolutions and firing other idiots. This is what happens with liberals in power.
Leaky Leahy and another show of the double standards that Democrats operate under …
If there was a Democrat in the White House there would be no problem with Executive Privilege now just as there wasn’t when Clinton was occupying it …
Arlen Specter is a meaninless act. What a meathead.
Will some one please remind why this administration worked so hard to reelect Arlen Specter?
Spector will track as far left as Harry Reid because he (Spector) has a re-election to get through. In about 4 years.
Prediction: Spector will attack WalMart, suck up to Unions everywhere and give away homes to every subprime borrower everywhere.
Soon to be announced his preference for Obama or Hillary. (Spector thinks Hillary is Hot).
I have a strong contempt for Congress. Where’s my citation?
“Who doesn’t” I thought myself. Then I woke up and said “Wow, talk about your nightmares.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t these attorneys serve at the pleasure of the President?
Frankly I think Johnny Sutton should have been the first one fired for prosecuting border patrol agents doing their jobs.
On another note, “HOW ABOUT PARDONS FOR RAMIREZ AND CAMPOS GEORGE?” What a putz.
It is against the law not to answer a subpoena. That’s what Rove did. He should be prosecuted. We’re not talking about a perjury trap (what happened to Bill Clinton), but a clear choice.
However, Rove’s lawlessness will be protected by the lawlessness of other Bushies. They’ve promised to violate the law that says people charged with contempt of congress should be prosecuted.
I just heard the wicked witch’s cackling at that Iowa debate.
I confess that I actually voted for Spector back in ‘88. Wondering how many people know that Arlen was part of the Kennedy assassination investigation.
People asked how could I justify a vote for Reagan the actor. I replied with the old line, “why not, we’ve had a clown for four years.”
Seems to me that most all the dem candidates this cycle are ethically challenged.
No surprise there. RINO.
And since when have differences in policy become illegal? Oh, I know, since the ignorant, do nothing democraps took over congress and have failed in their duties. Time to demonize the White House again to mask their own failures.
No kidding. Hugh Hewitt too.
Ha ha ha…If I were those guys, I would make sure to have those framed and hung on the walls of their offices as a badge of pride to show everyone what their tax dollars bought them. Instead of doing the people’s bsiness, it bought them useless partisan squabbling over Moveon crap that ultimately means nothing and holds as much water as a seive in a whirlwind. I hope these Dems feel pleased with themselves. I really do. Since this seems to be the biggest and best thing they have accomplished, aside from trumped charges and a railroad job against Libby that they knew would go nowhere and blow up in their face, this will to.
In the words of the immortal Bugs Bunny Esq. “What a bunch of Maroons”.
Whatever.
This ought win you lots of elections next year.
More Specter puke material.
hmmm…a contempt citation for not responding to a subpeona for something that isn’t even a crime…
SOP democrat handbook.
forgive me for saying this, but this just seems like Democratic masturbation.
Me too!
Didn’t Clinton’s people avoid a lot of subpoenas by claiming executive privilege or am I mis-remembering?
The democrats refusal to deal responsibly and respectfully with the nation’s issues is the second greatest disgrace in Washington. The first is the Republican’s going to Washington for the sole purpose of making deals with the democrats.
When I was growing up I read too much history, a lot of it concerning entire nations that at would go berserk and wipe out their ruling class. I always worried things would get so bad it would happen here. Looks like we are approaching it.
What a FLIPPIN lie!
The dimocraps don’t want to have to raise taxes, it is in their genes.
How can anybody with a brain be a dimocrap? Do dimocraps actually believe this lie? Do they really think Bush is the enemy and terrorists get a pass? I would really like to hear from a Democrat who thinks this IS a good thing (no trolls please as I do not even read your tripe because I;
I G N O R E
Y O U.
Dontcha just love RINOs!?!?! They hurt real conservative Repubs two ways: 1) by acting like Demonrats and 2) confusing the electorate about what being a true Republican is really all about.
Grassley? Gah!!!
These people are ridiculous. Why do they think anybody outside of Washington cares about the firings? NOBODY does.
executive privilege. It’s over. Do something productive please elected officials. Hey here’s an idea, find some pork to cut so that the grandchildren of our grandchildren don’t have to pay for our waste. Thank you.
If you believe that, I’ve got some beachfront property in Kansas I’d like to sell you. The Democrats have been trying for years to do everything they can to beat up on the administration. They’ve been looking forward to doing this very thing since Bush took office. Leahy is such a liar… and Specter, Grassley, and the rest of the RINO’s are beneath contempt. For them, it’s all about preserving the power of the legislative over the executive… regardless of who’s in power.
Jim C
Teenage girls being murdered by their fathersThe Folsom Street Fiasco.The FT. Dix six.Two morons who who travel to S.C. because they didn’t realize there are beaches in Florida.The flying Imams.The global warming lie.How much did Crazy Nancy know about waterboarding.Murtha .Dingy Harry.Sandy Burgler.Kosovo.Waco.Ruby Ridge.Illegal immigration.Too P.O.ed to go on.
The Libs are spending time and our tax dollars on”two top aides to Pres. Bush” being held in contempt for something that is not illegal to begin with?And of course,the mouth piece for this bull$$$$ is none other than the (dis)honorable Arlen Specter.
Does America still exist?
Still no word from a Democrat. Still waiting.
*taps fingers on desk
Would someone please explain to me how the Legislative branch of the federal government now has the power to charge contempt? Maybe I am just simple, but I thought that the Judicial branch was the enforcment part of the “Gubment”.
I really am confused
Thanks
Big
Way out of my league here: Who has the authority to subpoena? My “understanding” it was only the judicial branch (but that is based on a complete lack of knowledge of the subject).
If it is open to anybody who gathers a group to vote…can I get my fellow mm bloggers together and subpoena lgm?
It was widely reported by the MSM that Vice President Cheney suggested on the floor of the Senate that Senator Leahy undertake a daunting display of physical agility. D.C. insiders hint that the good senator has been doing pilates to improve his flexibility. Is there confirmation yet that Senator Leahy has accomplished this feat?