Democracy NOW: Bush's Brain Steps Down: Facing Subpoenas, KARL ROVE Resigns

[L. Coyote]

Thirty days has August. Karl Rove's ouster is happening fast for a reason, and here is one report on the topic.

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2007
Bush's Brain Steps Down: Facing Subpoenas, Karl Rove Resigns
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/14/1352243

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President Bush's top adviser Karl Rove announced on Monday he will step down as White House deputy chief of staff at the end of the month. The move comes while he is at the center of several Congressional investigations. We speak with Dallas Morning News reporter Wayne Slater, co-author of two books on Rove, "Bush"s Brain" and "The Architect."

.....

While Karl Rove says he is resigning in order to spend more time with his family, the move comes while he is at the center of several Congressional investigations. Last month Senate Judiciary Chair Patrick Leahy subpoenaed Rove to testify about his role in the politicization of the Justice Department and the firing of nine U.S. attorneys. So far Rove has ignored the subpoena and has refused to testify, citing executive privilege. In addition, two weeks ago Rove skipped a Congressional hearing on the allegedly improper use by White House aides of Republican National Committee email accounts. Leahy has vowed to continue the investigation. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Rove said "I'm Moby Dick and they're after me."

Rove previously escaped indictment in the CIA leak case. While then-White House spokesman Scott McClellan initially publicly denied that Rove had anything to do with the leak, the special prosecutor's investigation later determined that he had in fact divulged or confirmed undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity .................

NOTE: Thread restarted due to obscenity. (Some hate you Karl.)

[whistle]

1. KKKarl Rove go directly to jail, do not pass GO, do nt collect $200 million

[L. Coyote]

7. I suspect the Hatch Act violations came home to roost. NO JAIL for that.

For Hatch Act violations the penalty is not as harsh. I suspect that the Administration's own US Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has found Rove guilty of violations. By resigning, Rove may escape the penalty.

The Hatch Act prohibits Federal executive branch employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an individual employed or holding office in the U.S. government. Political activity is activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate or group.

Imagine Rove as Deputy Chief of Staff in the White House adhering to this law!!

Special Counsel Scott Bloch stated, “The use of Internet and electronic mail is second-nature to almost everyone, and has become a favorite and effective campaign tool, even more so perhaps, than four years ago. I want to remind Federal employees to be vigilant about following the Hatch Act, because we will consider this activity a form of electronic leafleting, and thus a violation of the prohibition on partisan political activity in the workplace.”

Employees found to have violated the Hatch Act face penalties ranging from 30-day suspensions without pay to removal from federal employment. Suspended or terminated employees may appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

This is what has happened to Rove, so far!! I imagine the news will leak late some Friday soon.

[liberalmuse]

2. Jail is not what I wish for when I think of that treasonous maggot.

But I've said too much.

[burrowowl]

6. Something like

tarred and feathered, put into stocks on the Capitol lawn and then put into jail for life with all of Bu$hCo in one big cell with no dividers and a webcam on them 24/7 which can be viewed by anybody anywhere anytime. L'enfer, c'est les autres!

[L. Coyote]

3. LEAHY: On The Resignation Of White House Deputy Chief Of Staff Karl Rove

Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On The Resignation Of White House Deputy Chief Of Staff Karl Rove
August 13, 2007
http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200708/081307.html

“Earlier this month, Karl Rove failed to comply with the Judiciary Committee's subpoena to testify about the mass firings of United States Attorneys. Despite evidence that he played a central role in these firings, just as he did in the Libby case involving the outing of an undercover CIA agent and improper political briefings at over 20 government agencies, Mr. Rove acted as if he was above the law. That is wrong. Now that he is leaving the White House while under subpoena, I continue to ask what Mr. Rove and others at the White House are so desperate to hide. Mr. Rove’s apparent attempts to manipulate elections and push out prosecutors citing bogus claims of voter fraud shows corruption of federal law enforcement for partisan political purposes, and the Senate Judiciary Committee will continue its investigation into this serious issue.

“The list of senior White House and Justice Department officials who have resigned during the course of these congressional investigations continues to grow, and today, Mr. Rove added his name to that list. There is a cloud over this White House, and a gathering storm. A similar cloud envelops Mr. Rove, even as he leaves the White House.”

# # # # #

[pnwmom]

4. I wonder if the reason Rove has left town now is to evade service.

Unless they can find him, they can't serve any more subpoenas.

[L. Coyote]

5. He resigns at the end of the month. Very quick. 2 week notice stuff.

What has the General Counsel had to say about Rove so far?

[L. Coyote]

8. kick