Larisa Alexandrovna: Questions For Rove - "Rep. Lamar Smith Helps Out Rove On Siegelman. Aww, Sweet"

[Hissyspit]

http://www.atlargely.com/2008/07/rep-lamar-smith.html

Rep. Lamar Smith helping out Rove on Siegelman.... awww, sweet

This is getting to be rather fun. Karl Rove - who would not show and honor his subpoena and claimed he could not answer the committee questions because of Executive Privilege - answers the committees questions, on paper. How cute is that? Okay, let's go down the list. It should be noted that Rove's former client, Lamar Smith (R-TX) who is on the House Judiciary Committee sent these questions. This is an important issue, as you will shortly see:

1. Before former Alabama Governor Donald E. Siegelman's initial indictment in May 2005, did you ever communicate with any Department of Justice officials, State of Alabama officials, or any individual other than Dana Jill Simpson, Esq., regarding Governor Siegelman's investigation or potential prosecution? If so, please state separately for each communication the date, time, location, and means of the communication, the official or individual with whom you communicated, and the content of the communication.

Here is the problem. Simpson testified that Bill Canary had a conversation with people on the Bob Riley campaign (Siegelman's Republican opponenet) that he - Canary - had talked to Rove. Since Canary is not a government official in Alabama, but instead a long-time business partner of Rove's, the questions is rather empty and it is also inaccurate. So what does Rove say?

I have never communicated, either directly or indirectly, with Justice Department or Alabama officials about the investigation, indictment, potential prosecution, prosecution, conviction, or sentencing of Governor Siegelman, or about any other matter related to his case, nor have I asked any other individual to communicate about these matters on my behalf. I have never attempted, either directly or indirectly, to influence these matters.

Right, but did you speak to Bill Canary about the Siegelman case Mr. Rove at all? Crickets, because a piece of paper cannot repsond. Next question - now see if you notice a pattern:

2. Before Governor Siegelman’s initial indictment in May 2005, did you ever communicate with Dana Jill Simpson, Esq., regarding Governor Siegelman or Governor Siegelman’s investigation or potential prosecution? If so, please state separately each communication the date, time, location, means, and content of the communication.

One would think that Mr. Smith is trying to purposefuly distort the actual allegation, cutting Mr. Canary out entirely. Again, the conversation is alleged to have happened between Mr. Canary and Mr. Rove. I won't bother posting Rove's answer. TPM has the whole exchange here. But you will notice that the ENTIRE letter is aimed at putting Mr. Rove's word against Ms. Simpson's word and descretely eliminating the mention of Canary, allowing Rove the room to lie. See, it is Smith who is lying and Rove who is answering Smith's lies.

Here are some questions I would like to see asked by someone who is not beholden to Rove as Mr. Smith is - and should be reason enough for him to recuse himself from the proceedings:

1. Did Mr. Rove discuss Siegelman's investigation, indictment, or trial with Bill Canary at any time? If so, what was the content, date, time, etc.

2. Did Mr. Rove discuss Siegelman's investigation, indictment, or trial with Gov. Bob Riley at any time? If so, what was the content, date, time, etc.

3. Did Mr. Rove use Ms. Susan Rolston as a cut-out through which he provided directives to the DOJ at any point regarding any part of the Siegelman investigation, indictment, or trial? If so, dates, times, etc.

4. Did Mr. Rove use Jack Abramoff as a cut-out through which he provided directives to the DOJ at any point regarding any part of the Siegelman investigation, indictment, or trial? If so, dates, times, etc.

5. Did Mr. Rove suggest that Mrs. Leura Canary - Bill Canary's wife - be appointed US Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama? If so, why?

6. Did Mr. Rove take any trips to Rosemary Beach or Alabama during 2000-05, during which he met with Bill Canary and/or Leura Canary? What were the dates, times, purpose of those trips and what was discussed?

I would start with those and under oath, thank you. Not this crap from Smith which is laughable at best. I think that some Texas muck-rackers need to start digging into Smith's dedication to Mr. Rove, going so far as to fabricate and distort in order to help his dear old pal. That is not his job as a member of Congress and if he has to choose his buddy over his obligation, he need not be in office. I doubt anyone would abuse their position of power to this extent unless there was some reason that "motivated" them to do so. In fact, I had rarely ever paid much attention to Mr. Smith, but now, he is absolutely on my radar.

[geckosfeet]

1. Smith also legitemizes Roves cowardice of not appearing in person.

This type of questioning is absurd and virtually worthless.