"Change has come to Washington, it's time for Rove to talk"

[Pepsi]

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House Judiciary Committee Chairman subpoenas Karl Rove in continuing legal battle

The House Judiciary Committee chairman subpoenaed former White House adviser Karl Rove on Monday to testify about the Bush administration's firing of U.S. attorneys and prosecution of a former Democratic governor.

The subpoena by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., continues a long-running legal battle with ex-President George W. Bush's former White House political director. Rove previously refused to appear before the panel, contending that former presidential advisers cannot be compelled to testify before Congress.

The subpoena commanded Rove to appear for a deposition on Feb. 2 on the firings of U.S. attorneys for political reasons. Conyers also demanded testimony on whether politics played a role in the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a Democrat.

Bush upheld Rove's legal position, but Conyers said times have changed.

"That 'absolute immunity' position ... has been rejected by U.S. District Judge John Bates and President Obama has previously dismissed the claim as 'completely misguided,'" Conyers said in a statement.

Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.

"I have said many times that I will carry this investigation forward to its conclusion, whether in Congress or in court, and today's action is an important step along the way," Conyers said.

The change in administrations may affect the legal arguments available to Rove, Conyers said.

"Change has come to Washington, and I hope Karl Rove is ready for it. After two years of stonewalling, it's time for him to talk," Conyers said.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/01/house_judiciary_chairman_subpoenas_karl_rove_1.php

[Observer]

So, when is Obama going to start an investigation into Conyers and his wife's dirty deals?

If I were Rove, I would tell him to go fuck himself and then battle it out in the courts.

[Pepsi]

If I were Rove, I would tell him to go fuck himself and then battle it out in the courts.

that's pretty much what Rove's been doing for a year now.   

Rove previously refused to appear before the panel, contending that former presidential advisers cannot be compelled to testify before Congress.

"That 'absolute immunity' position ... has been rejected by U.S. District Judge John Bates.  Last July, Bates rejected Bush's contention that senior White House advisers are immune from subpoenas, siding with Congress' power to investigate the executive branch.

[lucy]

Some of Obama's advisors have been subpeonaed in Chicago...Emanuel, Jarrett, Resko, maybe a couple more. I suppose what is good for one party is going to have to be good for the other as well...Obama himself may be asked to testify, for all I know.

[Observer]

They are being summoned to testify on matters which occurred BEFORE Obama became President. There should be no expectation of Executive Privilege in those cases. Any counsel given President Obama by his Chief of Staff since he assumed office should be protected. Anything prior to Noon on 20 January 2009 is fair game.

[Pepsi]

Some of Obama's advisors have been subpeonaed in Chicago...Emanuel, Jarrett, Resko, maybe a couple more. I suppose what is good for one party is going to have to be good for the other as well...Obama himself may be asked to testify, for all I know.

the only one above working for Obama is Emanuel, who has not been subpoenaed for anything AFAIK

[lucy]

Jarrett is working for Obama. She is currently the US representative at the Devos Conference for the Obama administration.

[Pepsi]

Jarrett is working for Obama. She is currently the US representative at the Devos Conference for the Obama administration.

She's being investigated for something?     

I have a very high degree of confidence you will not see the shenanigans and the skirting of the law in the new administration as we have seen in the last one.   Politicizing the Justice Department was one of the most flagrant violations of the law by the Bush administration in my opinion and I hope if someone broke the law (and the indication is they certainly did) they are punished.   It's not too late to see Rove "frog marched".

[Observer]

Politicizing the Justice Department is a meaningless catch phrase used by the Left to insinuate the President does not have the legal authority to fire any US Attorney he wished for whatever reason he wished, whenever he wished.

He most certainly does.

The Justice Department is a political entity. The Attorney General is political appointee. All United States Attorneys are political appointees... and they all serve at the pleasure of the President.

[lucy]

"at the pleasure of the president"....that is a curious phrase. What if the president decides to be a dictator and doesn't give a hoo about the law?

[Pepsi]

"at the pleasure of the president"....that is a curious phrase. What if the president decides to be a dictator and doesn't give a hoo about the law?

Indeed, what if the President lets his political strategist use the Justice Department as a political apparatus of his party?   

[The Lightworker]

Destroying the members of a party out of power for merely political reasons by the party IN power, as the Dems are being urged to do by its extreme and irresponsible fringe, is truly the road to turning the country into a banana republic. It is DEEPLY destructive of democratic institutions, and will eventually unleash hell.

[ivanm]

Destroying the members of a party out of power for merely political reasons by the party IN power, as the Dems are being urged to do by its extreme and irresponsible fringe, is truly the road to turning the country into a banana republic. It is DEEPLY destructive of democratic institutions, and will eventually unleash hell.

I hope they will get it out of their system soon so we can get on with resurrecting this nation's economy.  All those congressional inquiries do is to take up valuable time that needs to be spent on more important issues. 

[Case_Closed]

What if the president decides to be a dictator and doesn't give a hoo about the law?

Ironic how this has come to pass, huh?

[IM2]

So, when is Obama going to start an investigation into Conyers and his wife's dirty deals?

If I were Rove, I would tell him to go fuck himself and then battle it out in the courts.

The stupid is deep here.

Observer, why don't YOU start the investigation since you are Columbo and shit?

Politicizing the Justice Department is a meaningless catch phrase used by the Left to insinuate the President does not have the legal authority to fire any US Attorney he wished for whatever reason he wished, whenever he wished.

Well if they are doing what their job required evidence must be shown to support your firing. YOU must have at least given them some kind of verbal or written warning that have been recorded as part of his employment record. Firing someone for being a democrat is against the law as it is discrimination based upon poltical affiliation.

Lucy,

"at the pleasure of the president"....that is a curious phrase. What if the president decides to be a dictator and doesn't give a hoo about the law?

That's what Bush did, and its why Rove is being asked to come testify.