Hot Potato Mash

REPUBLICAN REP. CALLS FOR ROVE TESTIMONY IN SIEGELMAN CASE AND SMACKS BUSH!

Republican Representative Walter Jones not only calls for Rove to testify before the House Judiciary Committee but SMACKS President Bush while doing so...

“In the year 2000 when President Bush was a candidate he said many times in debate he would bring dignity to the White House. This would be a great start if Karl Rove would come before the Judiciary Committee and let him explain his involvement, if any, in the Don Siegelman case.”

Meanwhile Democratic Rep. Linda Sanchez states that she “personally would love to see” Rove arrested and held in jail where there would be a trial in the House of Representatives.

But before anyone gets overly excited it is important to point out that it is now up to Nancy Pelosi to have a vote in the full House. And Sanchez was already hedging on the Speaker's behalf stating that it would depend on whatever else takes priority legislatively.

Further, Pelosi has changed her tune many times and by most indications will not act on this. Because in Nancy Pelosi's world the rule of law, Constitution, three equal branches of government and oversight must take a back seat to picking up a few more seats in the House and Senate and winning the White House. Of course, her strategy appears flawed since Congress under her leadership now has a 9% approval rating.

See Hot Potato Mash's entire Don Siegelman archives

Technorati Tags: Bush League Justice, Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, Karl Rove, Linda Sanchez, Walter Jones

KARL ROVE INCRIMINATES SELF AND REPUBLICANS ADMIT DON SIEGELMAN CASE FIXED

In a new installment of Bush League Justice today, guest Julian Epstein, former counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, stated that Republicans will admit, off-camera, that the case against former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman was fixed.

The segment concentrated on Karl Rove finally giving written answers to questions, NOT under oath, about the Siegelman case. The questions, which were posed by Lamar Smith (R-TX), and answers can be read at Talking Points Memo.

While the general consensus is that the softball questions were a "pathetic attempt to save Karl Rove", the effort appears to have failed. In the video above, Epstein states that Rove actually appears to "incriminate" himself by refusing to answer a specific question about whether he contacted non-state officials.

Marcy Wheeler agrees with Epstein over at emptywheel:

In a classic non-denial denial, Karl Rove makes it clear that he did talk to people about Siegelman's prosecution--even while he denies that he spoke to anyone in DOJ about it.

And Larisa Alexandrovna thinks "This is getting to be rather fun" before proceeding to rip apart Rove's answer with the facts. She also poses six real questions she'd like to see asked of Rove.

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE: Karl Rove Says White House Won't Allow Him To Testify In Siegelman Case and Attacks MSNBC's Dan Abrams

 

Karl Rove talks for the first time about his failure to appear before the House Judiciary to testify about his knowledge of the prosecution of Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and says it is the White House that is preventing him from testifying. Rove also attacks MSNBC's Dan Abrams.

So what will Congress do about Rove?

a) huff and puff and do nothing

b) vote to hold Rove in contempt and then do nothing

c) go on TV and huff and puff in order to win points with their constituencies and then do nothing

d) give him yet another extension to testify and then do nothing

e) say that they are powerless to do anything despite always claiming that they are a co-equal branch of government and then do nothing

f) all of the above

e) ???

Technorati Tags: Bush League Justice, Dan Abrams, Karl Rove

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE: CONGRESSWOMAN SANCHEZ WANTS KARL ROVE IN JAIL

Representative Linda Sanchez says she wants to see Karl Rove in jail. A second segment follows with law professor Jonathan Turley. There does appear to be some confusion as to whether or not the White House has claimed executive privilege on behalf of Rove as both Sanchez and Turley state. Marcy Wheeler, on the other hand, makes a compelling case that executive privilege has not been claimed by the White House over at Empty Wheel.

Technorati Tags: Bush League Justice, congress, Constitution, Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, Karl Rove, Jonathan Turley

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE: Karl Rove Officially Refuses To Testify Before The House Judiciary Committee

Karl Rove “remarkably says no to a lawful subpoena” to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday to testify about the Don Siegelman prosecution by claiming executive privilege despite previously stating that he had no discussions with the White House about the case. Will the House call Rove's bluff and hold him in inherent contempt? Apparently not if Nancy Pelosi has anything to say about it.

See Hot Potato Mash's entire Don Siegelman coverage.

lian epstein, congress, house, judiciary committee, michael waldman

Technorati Tags: Bush League Justice, Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, Juilian Epstein, Karl Rove, Michael Waldman

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE: Abrams: 'There Is A Little Jail In The Bottom Of The Congress'

Another double segment by Dan Abrams begins with House Judiciary Committee member Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). Schultz says that Congress will pursue the case to the maximum extent possible in order to get Rove to testify. And when Abrams brings up the possibility of arrest, Schultz states:

"Well, if that's what it takes. We really cannot allow the co-equal branch of government, the legislative branch, to be trampled upon by the executive branch."

Abrams devotes the second segment to the issue of executive privilege. First fired US Attorney David Iglesias responds to Karl Rove's ridiculous notion about executive privilege stated on Sunday:

"This is America. We believe in the rule of law. You can't just ignore a subpoena. If a court or Congress gives you a subpoena you've got to show up and then claim the privilege. What Rove is saying, like Miers and Bolton before him, is that we can just ignore it. As somebody once famously said, there is no legal controlling authority for that."

But Georgetown University Law School professor, Paul Rothstein, sees it differently arguing (amazingly) that the President can claim executive privilege because (1) "Karl Rove is such a high advisor to the President", and (2) this is an inquiry into the President's control over the Justice Department" which "is in the executive branch which the President heads".

However, the Professor later goes on to state executive privilege would not be a barrier to getting Rove's testimony if real illegality could be shown, thus negating his two prong justification and proving he is full of it.

Abrams concludes the segment by stating, "Let's remember, Congress can deal with this in their own way, if they so choose. There is a little jail. a little holding cell in the bottom of the Congress."

KARL ROVE ROUNDTABLE With Siegelman Goldman Isikoff Inglesias and Abrams

Dan Abrams hosted an informative roundtable discussion on Karl Rove subpoena issues with former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, law professor Stan Goldman, Newsweek journalist Michael Isikoff and fired US Attorney David Inglesias.

Part 1 (9:43)

Part 2 (9:05)

"Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal, and the Selling of the Iraq War" (Michael Isikoff, David Corn)

Update: Karl Rove's attorney goes after Conyers

"I do not misunderstand either the Committee's procedures or the scope of its interest in Mr. Rove; nor, in light of your reported remarks about the need for 'someone' to 'kick his ass,' am I the least bit confused about the Committee's motives and intentions," Luskin wrote. "I confess, however, that I do not understand why the Committee is threating a subpoena to Mr. Rove for information related to the alleged 'politicization of the Department of Justice,' when, as the Committee is surely aware, Mr. Rove has already received a subpoena for the same subject matter from the Senate Judiciary Committee."

Raw Story has more.

Technorati Tags: Dan Abrams, David Inglesias, Don Siegelman, Executive Privilege, George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Linda Sanchez, Michael Isikoff, Stan Goldman, Subpoena

Karl Rove Claims Executive Privilege: Refuses To Testify About Siegelman Prosecution

Only in this Bush administration can one repeatedly state that they know absolutely nothing about a matter and then claim executive privilege as the reason for refusing to testify before Congress about said matter. But that is exactly what Karl Rove did today.

Thus, despite claiming no knowledge about the Siegelman prosecution, Rove is now admitting that he advised the President about it.

In any case, by exerting executive privilege Rove has now made former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman's claims that he was wrongfully prosecuted that much stronger. Why on earth would Bush have had any conversations about the Siegelman matter with Rove? This would seem improper on its face.

The above video is another Bush League Justice segment with Dan Abrams' interviewing Representative Linda Sanchez about what happens next.

Technorati Tags: Don Siegelman, Karl Rove, Executive Privilege, Representative Linda Sanchez

House Judiciary Chairman Threatens To Arrest Karl Rove Over Siegelman Matter

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers threatens to have Karl Rove arrested over his failure to appear before Congress to discuss his involvement in the Don Siegelman prosecution and tells politico.com that, “we're closing in on Rove”.

Technorati Tags: Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, Karl Rove, John Conyers

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE: Rep. Wexler: 'IT'S TIME FOR CONGRESS TO STAND UP AND GET ANSWERS'

Dan Abrams revisited the political prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman in light of Karl Rove's refusal to testify before the House Judiciary Committee in an excellent segment last night with Gov. Siegelman and Florida Representative Robert Wexler.

Towards the end of the piece Gov. Siegelman gave an excellent summary of where we stand:

“Karl Rove and this administration have thumbed their nose at Congress. They have clearly engaged in systematic and calculated abuses of power relating not just to the abuse at the Department of Justice but to other areas of importance to the American people. And Congress, rightfully so, should press Karl Rove to come and testify under oath and answer these questions.”

And Rep. Wexler agreed by calling on the House Judiciary Committee to issue a subpoena to Rove:

“We need to literally uphold the checks and balances that this administration has so abused.” And, “no American citizen has the right to ignore a Congressional subpoena. Not Karl Rove. Not anyone else.”

Beyond agreeing on the need to subpoena Karl Rove all three men also agreed that the Siegelman case is much bigger than about the innocence of one man. Here's Rep. Wexler on the bigger picture:

“What we are witnessing is a pattern of abuse of power by the Bush administration. It happened when they fired several US Attorneys for political reasons and Mr. Bolton and Ms. Miers refused to testify before Congress. It now is happening with the issue of torture. We have asked, subpoenaed, the Vice President's Chief of Staff to come before Congress and answer whether or not the administration illegally ordered the use of torture. It's time for Congress to stand up and get answers”.

And speaking of the bigger picture, you will note that I get almost 4 seconds of air time beginning at the 2:05 mark! 

Technorati Tags: Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, Karl Rove, MSNBC, Bush League Justice, Robert Wexler

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE: Karl Rove Refuses To Testify In Siegelman Case

Dan Abrams speaks with Don Siegelman and Scott Horton about Karl Rove's refusal to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. Abrams also delves into the recent FBI raid of Scott Bloch's office -- the Chief of the US Office of Special Counsel -- and the relationship this has with the Siegelman case.

Technorati Tags: Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, recession

Karl Rove Now Claiming Executive Privilege In Siegelman Case?

This is a short (2:34) but interesting “Bush League Justice” update to the Don Siegelman case. First, Dan Abrams reveals that Karl Rove sent him an angry five page letter where he listed questions he felt the MSNBC host should have asked former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and other guests regarding the case.

Talk about chutzpah! Rove is quick to offer up his own questions and appear on friendly networks like Fox “News” to spout his propaganda, but won't let Abrams interview him or testify before Congress about his involvement in the Siegelman affair.

Per the latter point, Rove's attorney is now claiming that the decision about whether or not Rove will testify is up to the White House and that executive privilege issues may preclude him from cooperating with Congress. This is odd to say the least since Rove has repeatedly claimed that he had nothing to do with the Siegelman case and held no conversations with the White House. Thus, executive privilege could not apply.

Unless, perhaps, maybe, possibly, he lied.

UPDATE: Larisa Alexandrovna, the great investigative journalist who has broken many of the Karl Rove/Don Siegelman stories, imagines what Rove wrote in his letter to Dan Abrams:

Dan, I am outraged at your assertion that I did anything wrong, ever. You can ask George and Dick and they will both tell you I was a very good boy, not a naughty, nasty boy. Everyone is lying but me because they are all green with envy at my abilities as a super hero in my own mind. I won't stand for this defamation. We are in a war on terror and you are emboldening the terrorists. We are fighting them over there, so we don't have to fight them over here. All of you are flip-floppers. I did not help out Valerie Plame, err, frame Don Siegelman. I am not a monster!

Read more at at-Largely

Technorati Tags: Dan Abrams, Don Siegelman, Justice, Karl Rove

MSNBC's Abrams Re-Iterates Call For Siegelman Release; Details Chief Concerns About Case

From Brad Friedman:

MSNBC's Dan Abrams continued, for the third day in a row, on the Don Siegelman beat today. The former Democratic Alabama Governor, who still sits in jail pending an appeal for his non-violent crime, is alleged to have been railroaded by Karl Rove and political operatives in the state while running for re-election in 2006.

In 2002 he had won his election, according to the announced results on Election Night, only to wake up the next morning to find that a Republican election director claimed to have discovered a “glitch” (sound familiar, regular BRAD BLOG readers?) in the electronic vote counts overnight, resulting in Siegelman's loss. He was never allowed a recount after the vote tallies somehow changed on the electronic voting machines due to the “glitch,” as it was described officially, by court probate officers.

In this rarely seen, 2004 video interview with Siegelman (see approx. half-way through that linked article), he alleges: “Somebody electronically manipulated the election results…This election was stolen…There is no other kind, or sugar-coated way to say it.”

Neither the 60 Minutes report on Siegelman from Sunday, nor any of Abrams' reports so far this week (here's Tuesday's and Wednesday's) including today's, as posted at the end of this article, have yet delved, with any depth, into that aspect of what seems clearly to have been a well-run political frame-up --- or, yes, a conspiracy --- to do away with the one Democrat who had been able to win statewide elections in an otherwise very Republican-leaning state.

We hope to have more on that aspect of the case soon.

On today's MSNBC “Bush League Justice” report, Abrams spoke with both Siegelman's attorney, Vince Kilborn, as well as Grant Woods, the former Republican Attorney General from Arizona who has been among the most outspoken of the 52 former Republican and Democratic Attorneys General who have called on Congress for an investigation and a special prosecutor to be named in the case.

Abrams repeated his call, from yesterday, for the immediate release of Siegelman from prison, pending appeal of his case, as would be customary in other similar, non-violent cases. Abrams enumerated his chief concerns about the prosecution and the trial as run by federal judge Mark Fuller, as follows...

Excessive Sentence:
Siegelman was acquitted of 25 of 32 counts, yet he got seven years and four months. Much more than the norm.

Immediately Led Away in Shackles:
After the trial, the former Governor was manacled and taken to jail, like a violent offender. Didn't get the usual 45 days to report to prison that would be the norm.

No Bail Pending Appeal:
No bail was allowed, even though an appeal for the non-violent crime is pending.

Transcript Delay:
The appeal is delayed because the court has yet to produce a trial transcript even though the trial was held more than a year and a half ago.

Near the end of the interview with Woods, the former AZ Attorney General notes pointedly:

“I hope everybody, Republican or Democrat, will just rally around the principle that we gotta do the right thing in this country, and not allow this thing to happen. So, if it did happen, it needs to be uncovered. If it didn't, then let's investigate it, and call it off.”

Technorati Tags: Dan Abrams, Dana Jill Simpson, Don Siegelman

BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE VIDEOS: Dan Abrams Calls For Gov. Don Siegelman's Release From Prison

Dan Abrams once again tackles the Don Siegelman case in his stellar “Bush League Justice” series on MSNBC. Tonight's guests included Scott Horton of Harper's, former Alabama GOP operative Dana Jill Simpson and Governor Siegelman's daughter, Dana Siegelman.

Abrams and Horton opened the segment discussing the remarkable 60 Minutes blackout of the Siegelman story in Alabama on Sunday. According to the local CBS station the blackout occurred because of a faulty receiver. An incredulous Abrams then proceeded to make a mockery out of the laughable excuse:

“It's sooo hard to believe - the notion that a receiver, in Alabama, just during the Siegelman story, just during 60 Minutes - I mean, they got it resolved, right? Right at the end, just as the story is finishing up, right?”

After playing more of his interview with Karl Rove accuser Simpson from yesterday's show, Abrams made his first of many calls for Governor Siegelman's release from prison:

“But there are serious questions that should lead the Justice Department and the judge to, at the very least, release Siegelman while he appeals.”

Amazingly, Siegelman is unable to appeal his case because the government has failed to produce a transcript of the trial which was completed over 18 months ago.

Later Dana Siegelman tries to answer some of the many unanswerable questions regarding her father's case before flat out telling Abrams that the judge is “trying to keep her dad hushed as long as he possibly can” and that her father “knows Karl Rove is behind this.”

Part 1 (9:49)

Part 2 (2:08)

Note that my encounter with Karl Rove on Monday makes a brief appearance at the beginning of the segment.

Technorati Tags: 60 Minutes, Alabama, Bush League Justice, Dan Abrams, Dana Jill Simpson, Don Siegelman, Free Don Siegelman, Justice, Karl Rove

'BUSH LEAGUE JUSTICE' Series - Karl Rove's Involvement In Don Siegelman Case

Tags: siegelman, rove, alabama, bush league justice, abrams

Technorati Tags: abrams, Alabama, Bush League Justice, rove, siegelman