WTF? On MSNBC just now, Kelly O'donnell, their White

[Subdivisions]

House reporter, was talking about the Gonzales liefest and the anchor asked whether the matter would wait until after the summer recess and she said that was likely. The idea that we might have to wait until September is bad enough, but O'donnell went on to say that Arlen Spector is travelling with the president today to Philadelphia.

Now, how in the FUCK does this not represent a conflict of interest. How could a ranking Republican member of the bi-partisan Senate Judiciary Committe expect to harbor any degree of credibility when the son of a bitch is hobnobbing on AF-1 with the very guys he's supposed to be objectively overseeing? I realize they're both Republics, but shouldn't Spector be recusing himself from morning coctail parties with the president aboard Air Force One?

the shrub: Heh, heh! That was a pretty good show you guys put on there with ol' Fredo, Arly...had him squirmin' in 'is chair. But, listen, could you maybe lighten up a little next time. He came crying to me after you guys got through with him about 'oh, they're making me look really bad out there! They aren't supposed to do that!'.

Spector: Well it's just too damn much fun screwin' with his head, Mr. President. Allright, I'll have a talk with Pat and Chuck, get 'em to back off a little.

the shrub: Heh, heh...Thanks, Arly, thanks alot! Now, how's about a drink, eh?

I mean, WHAT THE FUCK? How are we supposed to have anything close to resembling a functioning system if the guys doing the investigating and accountability process are hanging out with the those whom they are charged to oversee?

[Captain Hilts]

1. Howard Baker did the same kind of thing with Nixon. Yes, it's weird.

But we don't know what they're saying.

[displacedtexan]

2. Deals are being made on Air Force One today...

and Arlen's in the catbird seat.

[Virginia Dare]

3. If he can't convince chimp to dump Gonzo..

I think we will see impeachment proceedings. The Repubs are itching for a scape goat, any scape goat at this point.

[Tesla]

6. "Throw Arlen from the Plane!!"

[MannyGoldstein]

4. He'll Try To Bribe Specter - I Don't Think It Will Work

Specter was the very first senator to mention impeachment, just after the NY Times broke the warrantless wiretapping story in 2005.

For the last few years, Specter has been seething mad at Bush and his crew, but was kept in check by Bush's threats to run and back a right-wing nut against him in the PA primaries. Those threats won't work anymore - crazy righties are not exactly in favor these days.

So Bush will now try to bribe Specter - an offer for a seat at the Carlyle Group or something. I don't think it will work. Specter really believes in the whole "rule of law" thing - much, much more than does 95% of Congress.

[blondeatlast]

7. Spector isn't likely to run again, either; he may have already announced he isn't

IIRC.

I'd love to see this become Spector's "FU" moment. As a stem-cell research advocate for over a decade, I have a little place in my heart for Spector--he's been a vocal and unceasing advocate in Congress. :hide:

[Canuckistanian]

5. You're right, this is very suspicious

Especially after his announcement calling for a probe of Roberts and Alito.

Somehow, I don't think this idea was Arlen's. I think he was "summoned" to join Shrub on that trip.

[bdamomma]

10. I don't trust Arlen he rolls over a little too much.

his bark is louder than his bite.

[Klukie]

8. I said after some were praising him the other day...

for his questioning of Gonzales, that it was bullshit. I really think he speaks to them before the hearings in order to set up their arguement. His line of questioning may appear agressive on the surface but it always tends to lead the witness into a bullshit reason for their activities. I also heard him say that he spoke to Gonzales prior to the last hearing (the one before Mondays). Now what in the hell is he doing speaking to the witness prior to the hearing? He is playing good cop/bad cop.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/19/AR2007041902035.html
Read the transcript of Specters opening statements of the April 2007 Judiciary hearing where he states that he spoke with Gonzales prior to the hearing

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Hopefully, Karl wasn't on the plane

I'd be most concerned about both him and Cheney having...a few words...with Specter. But as to hitching a ride with Bush to PA, well, we'll see.

That said...I'm so disgusted by the so-called "reporting" that comes out of my TV. Where the hell can we find any semblemce of unbiased reporting? Example: House Judiciary --wait, make that the "Democrat led House Judiciary Committee" voted for contempt charges against Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers. Big news, right? All I see/hear is the WH and Cons POV how it's political theatre. Tony Snow's alliteration exercise with the letter "I" (and no, Impeachment wasn't one of the words) was repeated on every channel along with followup statements that basically charged the "Democrat majority" hasn't passed any significant legislation. Funny thing, there was no mention about the Cons record pace on fillibisters in the 110th Congress...or a recent history comment on the threats of a Nuclear Option in the 109th Congress. Day after day, it's the same thing.

The point is, the Fifth Estate displays almost no effort at anything close to unbiased "reporting" and virtually nothing in the way of investigative reporting. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[mondo joe]

11. This is politics, not a court of law.

It's not comfy, but this is what it is - that's why we need our side to be politically savvy.

[Bluerthanblue]

12. silly question...

do all our laws apply even on AF1?

I'm asking because i remember being told that Gitmo was chosen because it was technically out of jurisdiction for our laws- Seems to me * could meet with Spector without having to fly along...:shrug: ????

[L. Coyote]

13. Do not delude yourself about Sen. Specter. He runs for reelection in PA!

And, only narrowly missed getting the boot. It is all a big act. Look closely at the history of his staff. More White Collar Mafia.