Conyers Wants Mueller's Notes on Ashcroft Hospital Incident

[deminks]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003797.php

Sure enough, the revelation that FBI Director Bob Mueller kept notes on the March 2004 clash in John Ashcroft's hospital room has made House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) very interested in seeing what those notes reveal. Just out from Conyers:

The Honorable Robert S. Mueller, III

Director

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20535

Dear Director Mueller:

During today’s Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation, you testified in response to questions from Rep. Artur Davis that you had taken or made notes regarding conversations that you had with former Deputy Attorney General James Comey (who at the time was Acting Attorney General) and former Attorney General John Ashcroft (who at the time had transferred his Attorney General duties to Mr. Comey) regarding a March 10, 2004, hospital visit involving former White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales and former Chief of Staff to the President Andrew Card. You also testified that you still were in possession of those notes, which from your testimony appear to memorialize facts regarding the issues discussed during and after the important events of March 10, 2004.

During the hearing, Representative Davis requested that you provide the Committee with copies of those notes. I write now to formalize that request, and ask that you provide the Committee with copies of the notes to which you referred in your testimony. To the extent that the notes may contain classified information, we are fully prepared to accommodate any such concerns by controlling or limiting storage of, access to, or publication of information contained in the notes.

I would appreciate receiving the notes from you by the close of business on Wednesday, August 1. Your response should be directed to the Judiciary Committee office, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 (tel: [phone]; fax: [phone]). Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.

Chairman

cc: The Honorable Lamar S. Smith

The Honorable Artur Davis

[tiptoe]

1. This ought to be good. Gonzo was unaware Comey had contacted Mueller pre-Ashcroft visit.

Mueller showed up after everyone had departed, if I heard the testimony correctly.

[hisownpetard]

2. Excellent development. Something tells me that, given Mueller's training

and background, the notes he took will be organized, detailed and filled
with the impressions of the moment which, while still fresh, are the strongest
and most reliable.

Having arrived at the hospital after the others left, I can only guess
at Mueller's state of mind at the time. I imagine he might have been
filled with frustration and indignation at the little drama that had just
transpired at the bedside of a high government official - and that those
feelings will be reflected in the notes he transcribed.

One can only hope...

[bleever]

4. I bet you're right.

Mueller was surprisingly forthcoming in his testimony, and his notes will only add to the dramatic force of the story. Perhaps we'll get details about how Mueller came to assign an FBI detail to make sure that Comey wasn't removed from the room.

[hisownpetard]

8. I can't wait! eom

[eleny]

9. First rule of civil service - Tell your supervisor!

I kid you not. Comey did good informing Mueller. And Mueller was smart to take notes. That's the second rule, btw. }(

[BlooInBloo]

3. LOL! I bet he does. Good luck with that.

[mmonk]

5. Yeah, that was one of the more disgusting displays

from these people to me when I read about it (and that's saying a lot from this crowd). Trying to get a hospital bed approval in intensive care to engage in illegal activity. These people have no bottom.

[Imagevision]

6. We need those emails the WH. and Rove refuse to give up also!!

John Conyers, the man with the plan!!

[rateyes]

7. Gonzo is toast. nt