Senator Leahy rules WH "executive privilege" stonewalling on Rove et. al. subpoenas "invalid"

[99th_Monkey]

So Leahy is taking baby steps towards contempt of Congress charges ... woo-hoo. Does anyone think he'll really bring
such charges? Seems to me if he was serious about doing that, he wouldn't have waited so long to make this ruling.
Is anyone holding their breath?

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Leahy Takes Step Towards Contempt against White House Aides
By Paul Kiel - November 29, 2007, 11:04AM

No, he hasn't forgotten. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) took a step today towards contempt proceedings against Karl Rove, two of his former aides, and White House chief of staff Josh Bolten for not complying with subpoenas related to the U.S. attorney firings.

There hasn't been much movement since this summer, when Leahy issued the subpoenas. The administration claimed executive privilege for all documents and testimony sought, and said that Rove didn't need to even show up for a hearing. Rove's aides Sara Taylor and Scott Jennings appeared, but refused to discuss the firings. A subpoena for documents was sent to Bolten, and the White House refused.

Today, Leahy ruled that the claims of executive privilege and immunity were not legally valid, a necessary step toward issuing contempt citations in the committee. He didn't say when he might do that.

The timing for this might have something to do with what's going on in the House, where leaders have said they plan to schedule a floor vote to find former White House counsel Harriet Miers and Bolten in contempt for ignoring subpoenas there. That vote has been repeatedly delayed and is currently expected to take place next month.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004800.php

[AndyA]

1. Leahy needs to get on with it.

At the rate he's going, Bush will be out of office before he makes a decision.

GET ON WITH IT, GET THE LEAD OUT! Stop talking, start DOING!!

[99th_Monkey]

7. I hear ya!

I sure wish Sen. Leahy would push the envelope all the way up Bush's and Cheney's you know whats, but unfortunately such "bold leadership" doesn't seem to be "in style" with the Dem leadership, but we can hope ... and keep sending a seemingly eternal stream of emails and letters and phone calls ... arggghh.

[kestrel91316]

2. Yay! He's gonna send a strongly worded letter!!!!!

[JimboDem]

4. They have those "strongly worded letters"

down to an art form.

Copy, sign, send, and bend over.

:freak:

[dmosh42]

3. Ooooh! They're scared!

More bullshit?

[cali]

5. LOL!!

The response on this thread are already hilarious in a petulant way. All these posters who know so much more than Senator Leahy are the ones full of hot air or a more solid substance. That people here actually think they know more than a former prosecutor and Senator who's been leading effectively for over 30 years is the ultimate in self-delusion.

:rofl:

[99th_Monkey]

6. well, I can kind of understand how many are frustrated with Dem footdragging

on say, holding impeachment hearings, backing up subpoenas timely with contempt charges, etc.