The White House trying to get rid of Fitzgerald?

[FreedomAngel82]

I just heard an AAR news report stating the White House is claiming that Fitzgerald's indictment towards Libby was UnConstitutional because Fitzgerald was not appointed by Bush or approved by the Senate. Are they trying to get rid of him?

[Marr]

1. I thought it was Libby's defense attourney making that claim.

[FreedomAngel82]

6. It might've been them

They're claiming the indictment is UnConstitutional since he (Fitzgerald) wasn't appointed by Bush and/or the Senate. The guy was talking so fast so it might have been them. :blush:

[lonestarnot]

37. Yes what a load!

[Sal Minella]

2. Approved by the Senate??? Can't we just call Fitz a "recess appointment?"

Like so since when is this outfit concerned about what's Constitutional and what's not???

[H2O Man]

3. Nope.

Not accurate.

[spindrifter]

I stand corrected. But,

as Acting AG, did Comey have full authority to appoint a special P?

[H2O Man]

19. Yes.

Absolutely.

[spindrifter]

22. Whew!

[still_one]

4. This is also on RawStory

Where in the Constitution does it says anything about this

[proud patriot]

11. It doesn't

the busco needs to read the Constitution before
making claims on what it contains .

[H2O Man]

15. The Bush administration

did not make the claim being attributed to it on this thread.

[proud patriot]

28. I understand it was Libby's Lawyer who said it

sorry if it was perceived as missinfo ...I use that term broadly
kind of like I use freepers for anyone with a bush sticker or
who defends bush , regardless of any web travels to freeper land .

:hi:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. It's hard to read when it's piss-blurred.

[spindrifter]

5. I looked up

special prosecutor in Wikipedia and if they are right, the position can be appointed by the Attorney General or Congress. Fitzg was appointed by Alberto Gonzalez. I think this is an effort by Libby's attorneys to try to extract him from his peril.

[H2O Man]

7. Nope. n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Not Gonzalez but Ashcroft

Ashcroft was the general at this point in time and he rescued himself and had the deputy guy appoint Fitzgerald.

[H2O Man]

9. Nope.

Ashcroft recused himself. He did not have any role in Fitzgerald being appointed. James Comey did.

[berni_mccoy]

13. Finally, someone get's it right

Fitzgerald has EQUAL POWER of the A.G. with one exception: He CAN NOT BE FIRED BY BUSH or anyone in the administration.

He can, however, be impeached.

[H2O Man]

17. Almost correct.

Bush can fire him, but it would have to be for making a serious error.

[berni_mccoy]

24. Have you seen this?

http://citizenspook.blogspot.com/2005/08/treasongate-us-attorney-generals.html

Comey granted Fitzgerald Plenary Powers outside the scope of the statute. This analysis covers why this is important and why it means Fitzgerald could only be removed through a formal impeachment process.

[FreedomAngel82]

29. So the only way Fitzgerald goes is if Bush goes?

[berni_mccoy]

31. No, sorry, Fitzgerald can be impeached, just like any other

member of the Administration. But Congress isn't even remotely likely to do that. That's the only way he can be removed.

[H2O Man]

35. I do not

consider that site serious. Again, with absolutely any chance of being wrong - none - Bush can remove Fitzgerald for cause. If one wants a model, look back to the Watergate era.

[stepnw1f]

14. Which Means This Atempt by Libby's Defense is a Desperate Move

Do they have a case?

[H2O Man]

18. No.

Not at all. See my thread (View from a park bench) for an accurate descripion of what this is about.

[JanusAscending]

27. I love a man of few words, when that's all it takes!!

Hi Waterman! Glad to see you here, keeping us all correctly informed. :hi: DC

[stepnw1f]

38. Got It H2O

Thank you once again. I'll be waiting for your updates.

[hang a left]

10. No Fitz was appointed by Comey after Ashcroft recused himself.

Fitz has plenary authority, which basically means, for the Plame case he IS the acting Attorney General. Comey covered his ass.

[woodsprite]

12. Fitz better hurry up or they'll find some way to toast his butt.

All this crap is getting to be too much lately - with health issues, and this insane administration, work stress of micromanagement, etc. Gotta take a break, but I'm afraid I'll miss something important.

[H2O Man]

21. Defense lawyers

almost always file a motion to dismiss any serious charges. It is routine. Team Libby filed perhaps the most feeble motions that I have ever heard of. Tomorrow the judge will dismiss each of the silly things in about 2 minutes.

[hang a left]

20. Frankly....

They are just throwing shit at the wall, hoping something sticks. I guess their attempts at graymail aren't going over so big.

[Justice Is Comin]

23. David Schuster

on Hardball said they don't have a prayer in hell of having it thrown out.

Libby's lawyers look like a bunch of idiots to me.

[FreedomAngel82]

30. Thanks for that

Whew. I heard this and was going to have a heartattack. Wouldn't they have found a way before he got indicted to get rid of him? Why now?

[Texacrat]

25. If the White House wanted to get rid of Fitzgerald ...

They would pardon Libby, right?

[JanusAscending]

26. Can't pardon him until he's been convicted!!!

in my humble opinion.

[berni_mccoy]

32. Actually, pardons can be given even before charges are filed.

Nixon was never formally charged is one example.
Lincoln's pardon of the troops of the confederate army was a blanket pardon as well (and many were never charged or convicted when the pardon came).

[Lochloosa]

33. A pardon of Libby would not get rid of Fitz.

He still has rove in his sights. IMO Buckshot Dick is not off the hook.

[Atman]

34. Nixon's Saturday Night Massacre didn't play well

They're looking for a different way to do it. Nixon's firing of his special prosecutor is widely considered a tipping point in the Watergate scandal, such a clear indication of a cover-up that it could no longer be ignored. If Bush tries the same shit albeit just using different methods, he'll face a similar backlash.

Oh, wait...what am I thinking? Bush doesn't care about backlashes, and he never faces any reality. Never mind.

[npincus]

36. Chimp is on record praising Fitzgerald and the way he has

conducted the investigation.

[Catherine Vincent]

39. Yeah.

And if he turns around and get rid of Fitz, he'll become a flip flopper.