Bush, Congress dig in for fight over privilege

[babylonsister]

Bush, Congress dig in for fight over privilege

By Mark Silva | Washington Bureau
July 28, 2007


WASHINGTON - In an escalating conflict between Congress and President Bush over the privileges and prerogatives of the presidency, the two sides could be headed for a court battle that outlasts Bush's term in office, pushing the outcome of any congressional investigation over the firings of federal prosecutors into the next administration.

Beyond the legal battle, an equally important political fight is playing out, with the White House painting congressional leaders as obsessed with "political theater" and raging out of control over overblown controversies surrounding a wiretapping program and the dismissals of U.S. attorneys. Democrats, meanwhile, complain of a politically motivated White House that considers itself above the law.

For now, neither side seems in the mood to yield on even the smallest matters. Congressional leaders are armed with subpoenas and contempt citations, and are threatening to conduct a perjury investigation and seek a special counsel. The White House is defiantly defending Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales, not only regarding the dismissals of prosecutors last year but also regarding his increasingly controversial performance as the nation's chief law-enforcement officer.

Bush also is aggressively asserting his presidential privileges regarding the right to hire and fire prosecutors and the confidentiality of his staff's internal communications. And the White House has lashed out at a congressional move to hold senior administration officials in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify in a probe of the prosecutor firings.

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-bush28jul28,1,45044.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout&ctrack=3&cset=true

[Rageneau]

1. Dems should pledge to investigate Bush even after he leaves office.

The way the right-wing controls the media and the way Democrats jump at their own shadows, it's likely that Bush's crimes will never be exposed while he is in office. But one hell of a lot of power can be gained for our side if we let it be known that -- even should Bush cover up his crimes temporarily -- he will not be permitted to cover them all up forever. Dems should pledge, once the next election occurs, to get to the bottom of every nefarious deal BushCo has concocted -- regardless of where such investigations go or how long they take.

Pukes and their media puppets will of course howl that such accountability is 'witch-hunting' or non-productive or whatever, but I strongly believe that once Bush/Cheney realize that their dirty laundry WILL be aired someday, they will be more careful (i.e., lawful) from now on as well as a lot less cocky.

Of course, there's the other problem that Bush and his pals, being as crooked as any criminal in any prison anywhere in the world, will destroy evidence in the meantime. But hell, they're going to do that anyway, I bet.

[Bitwit1234]

2. That's what they want. This is the only way to stop investigations.

Inherent contempt was the only way and of course the democratic congress blew it.