Conyers to Bush "waive executive privilege," Clinton did it.

[ProSense]

Bush urged to explain Libby move

By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 23 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers exhorted President Bush Monday to allow top aides to explain to Congress why Bush commuted I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison sentence.

In a letter to Bush, Conyers said the commutation was troubling and could eliminate Libby's incentive to provide information about the administration's role in leaking the identity of former CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson.

Libby, who was a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for obstructing justice in a federal probe of the leak.

Bush, calling the sentence excessive, used his executive authority last week to commute the sentence, sparing Libby from prison.

Conyers, D-Mich., urged Bush "to waive executive privilege and provide the relevant documents and testimony of any relevant aides regarding your decision to commute Mr. Libby's sentence."

The congressman said that his committee on Wednesday will hold a hearing to "explore the grave questions that arise when the presidential clemency power is used to erase criminal penalties for high-ranking executive branch employees whose offenses relate to their work for the president."

Conyers acknowledged that President Clinton pardoned Marc Rich, whose ex-wife was a major Clinton campaign donor. But Clinton waived executive privilege and allowed top aides to testify before Congress about that matter, Conyers noted in his letter.

more

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[blues90]

2. Bush waive some of his power, never happen , never .

[Marr]

3. Asking him to waive it is acknowledging that he has it to begin with.

Isn't it? I would think the best thing to do would be to advise Bush not to attempt any legal bluffing, to comply with the law willingly, and not pretend that he has powers that he does not in fact have. Bush cannot assert executive privilege over a criminal investigation of his own administration, sorry. Might as well ask him not to throw the moon into the sun.

Still- I certainly hope they push this point, because it is not a small one. It's all come down to this single assertion, in my humble opinion. If they fight on this point and win, the Congress can redeem itself in many ways, or at least assert it's relevance. If they cave yet again, it truly is over.

[ProSense]

4. "White House Invokes Executive Privilege." What's Bush hiding? What will Congress do?

"White House Invokes Executive Privilege." What's Bush hiding? What will Congress do?

[robinlynne]

5. Damn I love Conyers.

[paparush]

6. Neocons - "Clinton did it!!!!............ oh......... wait....... "

[rosesaylavee]

7. Conyers is a crafty politician

By asking him this, it makes *'s move to cover himself public. It didn't hit the papers this way when * commuted the sentence, but it does now that Conyers is asking him to waive his powers to clear the air regarding this. AND then to mention that Clinton did it is just more salt in the wound.

Conyers, I will love you forever. I enjoy all that you do.