TPM's Steve Benen asks Tough Questions re Cheney Not Part of Executive Branch!

[KoKo]

TPM....Steve Benen

For a White House that has offered a bountiful stream of substantive scandals for six years, the latest dust-up might be the most bizarre. Perhaps it's best to take a moment to summarize the questions that need answers:


* Why did Bush and Cheney abide by the executive order in question in 2001 and 2002, and then stop in 2003? Is it a coincidence they started ignoring the E.O. on handling classified materials just as they started mishandling classified materials?

* Why did Cheney abide by the E.O. in 2001 and 2002 if he's not part of the executive branch?

* Why did the President exempt the Vice President from an executive order he was already following? Why did he later exempt himself?

* When, precisely, did the White House decide that Bush and Cheney should exempt themselves from their own rules?

* Does Bush consider Cheney part of the executive branch? Why has the White House thus far refused to respond to this question? Does the President consider this a trick question?

* In its response to questions about the E.O., why did the White House point to a provision of the E.O. that doesn't exist?

* The White House insists, "There's no question that is in compliance" with the E.O. If there is no oversight, and Cheney is unaccountable, how does the White House know?

* In yesterday's press briefing, the president's spokesperson dismissed the oversight provision of the E.O. as "small" six times. Does the White House believe only "big" provisions need to be followed? How does the administration make the distinction?

Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said yesterday, "Vice President Cheney is expanding the administration's policy on torture to include tortured logic. In the end, neither Mr. Cheney nor his staff is above the law or the Constitution."

more at..
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/014782.php

[jimshoes]

1. Does anyone feel like we're through the looking glass

with darth and this latest assault on sanity? Can you even imagine a Dem like Al Gore for instance trying to pull a stunt like this? Where in hell is the outrage among the DC crowd? I find this unconscionable that the god damned vice president would even try a stunt like this. The office of the VP has been hijacked by a friggin criminal and it's time to put an end to this shit!

[KoKo]

2. Most Americans don't understand what this is all about...they know something's wrong but

we Dems haven't manage to frame the Lies, Corruption in a way they can understand coming off the HIGH of 9/11 and TERRA, TERRA ..24/7 and the GREAT BUSHCO/REAGAN taking CARE OF US!

That's why I thought these QUESTIONS from TPM Reporter WERE SO IMPORTANT.... Around the water cooler and just talking to Fundie Bushbot relatives...I would want to ASK THESE QUESTIONS.

Most of these folks are "Law and Order" and if you poke at them with REAL LAW AND ORDER they get flustered...and then they wonder and then it eats away at them in the night.

I thought the TPM Guy did GOOD asking these questions because it give us a great opportunity to got at the Bush 26% ARMED WITH TALKING POINTS!

WHERE are the ANSWERS to the QUESTIONS that Bender is putting out there? :shrug:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

3. Excellent questions EXCEPT,...

,...I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ANY COMPLIANCE WITH THAT "FAUX" all-about-appearance Order,...AND,...this regime NEVER INTENDED TO COMPLY WITH ANY RULE OF LAW.

This cabal is calculating in its aim to exploit this nation to get their power/profits.

This cabal will continue to spew lies and bullshit ('cause THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE CREATING ALL OF OUR REALITY *cough* PUKE *cough*) until the day this country says NO.

But,...this country is still taking the abuse, still swallowing the lies and bullshit,...and this cabal will continue to expand its fucked-up power until this country (or, God help us, the rest of the world) STOPS THEM!!!

[KoKo]

4. The "Questions" are still good TP's , though. Would ya say?

He framed the questions so that those of us in those "Red States" have some ammo on Monday Morning around the "Water Cooler" or wherever we congregate with our Repug travelers. :shrug:

[KoKo]

5. ...

[hootinholler]

6. ---

[Gregorian]

7. Everything changed with

9/11 the subpoenas.

[Mnemosyne]

8. Needs a

:kick:

[DemReadingDU]

9. afternoon kick

[cassiepriam]

10. Doesn't Cheney report to Bush, at least theoretically?

[KoKo]

11. Seems he's been an "Island Unto Himself" since he installed himself as VP

from the latest reports...and what savvy DU'ers knew after 2000 Selection. Remember he was in charge of selecting a VP for Bush and after he interviewed a few people he delared "HIMSELF..the BEST CANDIDATE" and Poppy and Chimpy were happy with that. The health failing experienced "old Unca Dicky" would give experience and a gentle guiding hand to the inexperienced AWOL/DRAFT DODGING, COKE SNORTING DRUNK CHIMP.

It was all supposed to work out so good that Jeb could come in later and the Repug Dynasty so sullied by Herbert Walker (Poppy) would be vindicated by his BRILLIANT SONS...those DEFENDERS OF BREEDING AND DYNASTY.

It just didn't seem to work out as well as they thought. Cheney was a ROGUE!

[cassiepriam]

12. The real issue is that Bush is weak and allowed it to happen.

Even if Cheney had it all planned out to take control,
it could not have happened if Bush had been a strong intelligent leader.

Edit to add, that Bush had and has the power to get Cheney under control.