Former GOP Congressmen Accuse Republicans Of Putting Party Above Constitution

[Richardo]

It's only two, and neither of them are still in Congress, but at least they're taking on the DeLay/Rove/Boehner/McConnell wing of their party. My question: Was Shays one of the three that did not walk out of the contempt of Congress vote against Bolten and Miers?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/16/former-gop-congressmen-ac_n_235976.html

Two former Republican members of Congress have accused their GOP colleagues of putting party politics over the Constitution during the Bush years, arguing that they failed dramatically to check the White House's use of executive powers.

<snip>

Speaking at a panel on congressional oversight powers, Shays argued that had more members of Congress, including Republicans, gone to Iraq and visited Abu Ghraib, prisoner abuses would have come to light sooner.

"That would have alerted the administration to what was happening, the command authority to what was happening and it probably would have saved a 1,000 lives," Shays said. Shays said the Bush White House abused its powers in a way that resulted in many of the domestic and international problems that have unfolded recently.

<snip>

<Edwards:> "One of the most shocking things was when the House voted to hold Miers and Bolten in contempt because they refused to obey a congressional subpoena," said Edwards. "Every single member of my party, except for three, walked out. Members of Congress walked out of the chamber rather than stand up as members of Congress so that congressional subpoena (would) be obeyed. Party trumped Constitution."

<more>

[old mark]

1. Interesting, but the GOP has put party ahead of constitution

for as long as I can remember, and certainly ahead of the welfare of the American people.

For the GOP, it has always been about re-election overall and lots of cash in the campaign chest...and in the pockets.

Nice to see one of them admit it, though.

Rec.

mark

[Richard Steele]

2. Well, DUH. K&R

[wroberts189]

3. Oh that last part is great... knr

"<Edwards:> "One of the most shocking things was when the House voted to hold Miers and Bolten in contempt because they refused to obey a congressional subpoena," said Edwards. "Every single member of my party, except for three, walked out. Members of Congress walked out of the chamber rather than stand up as members of Congress so that congressional subpoena (would) be obeyed. Party trumped Constitution."

[Richardo]

4. Yeah, they don't come out and say it that plainly very often.

:patriot:

[wroberts189]

5. Truth from a republican .. ? Makes my head dizzy. nt

[malaise]

6. Good to see people waking up

even if it's after the fact

[Richardo]

7. Hey it was the 30th anniversary of your speech this week....

:) Thanks to President Carter

[Arkana]

8. Shays was a New England Republican, was he not?

Stands to reason that he'd have to be a touch more moderate than his insane colleagues if he wanted to get reelected.

[Richardo]

10. Yes - Connecticut

[LiberalAndProud]

9. Yes, I'm sure not that we have a Democrat in the White House

they advocate to restrain executive power. We tried to warn them, didn't we? I didn't hear any squawks from these guys when Bush had the reins. I welcome their voices now, but they come late to the party.