CREW: New e-mails prompt the question: Did Bush make the decision to fire the U.S. Attorneys?

[babylonsister]

http://blog.citizensforethics.org/node/749

New e-mails prompt the question: Did Bush make the decision to fire the U.S. Attorneys?

Submitted by CREW on 22 March 2007 - 5:51pm.

McClatchy's article from earlier today discusses the potentially overlooked role of President Bush in the decision to fire the U.S. Attorneys:

Internal administration e-mails show that the Justice Department postponed the firings for nearly three weeks late last year while awaiting White House approval. The final consent came on Dec. 4, four days after Bush returned from an overseas trip, once several senior White House officials signed off on the plan. It is not known if Bush himself did.

Harriet Miers, then White House counsel, had warned in a Nov. 15 e-mail to the Justice Department that approval of the firings would be delayed if Bush had to OK the plan.

"Not sure whether this will be determined to require the boss's attention. If it does, he just left last night, so would not be able to accomplish for some time," Miers wrote in the e-mail, which was among a batch of e-mails and other internal documents related to the firings that were released by the Justice Department last week.

As you can see by reading that e-mail interaction here, Miers response prompted Kyle Sampson to ask: Who will determine if this requires the President's attention?

Interestingly, as Miers forewarned, the decision was delayed, coincidentally, for the amount of time Bush was away for Thanksgiving and a foreign trip:

more...

[leveymg]

1. See the related thread about how the WH may have tried to cover-up Bush's

involvement, failed to keep proper records of these deliberations, withheld this from Congress, exposing the President and his staff to Obstruction of Justice charges:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=482402&mesg_id=482402

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. CREW should tune in to Snowjob's press briefings

We were saying that within minutes of Ed Henry pointing out Snowjob's "The President has no recollection of it".

[leveymg]

4. Was that today or yesterday's Snowjob?

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Wednesday's, IIRC n/t

[babylonsister]

8. That comment is in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3174375

[leveymg]

9. Thanks!

[aquart]

3. Legally, Bush is the only one who could fire them.

Wasn't that brought out here a while ago?

[leveymg]

5. Technically, they resigned - some less voluntarily than others.

I believe that avoided the need to fire them.

[LiberalFighter]

13. Email sent to apparently all USA's and others in Dept of Justice

House Judiciary Committee -- Dept of Justice Document 11-1
Page ASG000000012 Email sent 11/4/2004 8:15PM

Many of you have sought guidance regarding the Administration to the President's second term. This message serves to convey the entirety of the information we have at this point, and as more information becomes available it will be shared with you.

First, the President is tremendously grateful to you, and to every member of his team, for your hard work over the past four years. He recognizes the sacrifices that you and your family have made to enable you to serve, and he is deeply appreciative. America has looked at the President's record -- continuing success in the war on terror, violent crime at a 30-year low, and declining drug use among America's youth, among other successes -- and asked him to stay on the job. He is honored and humbled by the privilege to serve, as I know each of you are.

Second, as we move into this transition period, the President has decided that he will not ask for letters of resignation. That said, as always, each of us serves at the pleasure of the President.

Third, some of you have expressed interest in serving in other capacities in the Administration, both within the Department and elsewhere. If you would like to be considered for other opportunities, please let me know what position(s) and agency or agencies you are interested in and I will work together with White House Presidential Personnel on those matters.

Additionally, if you are intending to leave the Administration within the next three months, please let me know that as well.

As we move forward, the Attorney General thanks you for your continued service and asks that you stay focused on the job at hand. While it is appropriate and good to celebrate successes, we cannot let it detract from the ongoing critical mission of the Department. Thank you again, and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Susan

Susan M Richmond
Advisor to the Attorney General
& White House Liaison
Office of the Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice

[Sparkly]

6. Assuming Bush is "the boss".... nt

[IA_Seth]

10. Lol, I thought the boss was Cheney? n/t

[hootinholler]

14. I thought it was Springsteen n/t

[Tuesday_Morning]

11. emails (thanks to CREW) here:

http://blog.citizensforethics.org/taxonomy_menu/1/192

[leveymg]

12. Thanks for that.

Now, where's the memo where Harriet discusses Sampson's e-mail with Bush?