Was Bush Tough Enough?

Updated with video link at bottom.

While I would have liked to see the President a little less accommodating to the Liberal Dems and anti-Gonzales Republicans, at least he seemed to draw a firm line in the sand around Executive privilege in his recent statement.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush warned Democrats Tuesday to accept his offer to allow top aides to testify about the firings of federal prosecutors only privately and not under oath, or risk a constitutional showdown from which he would not back down.
"We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honorable public servants," Bush said in a statement from the White House. "I proposed a reasonable way to avoid an impasse."

He added: "There's no indication ... that anybody did anything improper."

Of course that didn't stop the political pond scum like Leahy and Schumer from firing back.

Democrats' response to Bush's offer was swift and firm. "Testimony should be on the record and under oath. That's the formula for true accountability," said Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

I wish I had more faith in the people to grasp the constitutional issues behind this non-scandal, but with the media carrying the Dems water, don't count on that.

Still, Bush has to hold firm and continue to portray the filth we called the Democrat leadership as the un-American partisan hacks they are. They disgust me, what with their inability to refrain from damaging the constitution and the country for perceived partisan gain.

I hope Bush is starting to get it. He is in a domestic war that will last through the end of his Presidency. And as with all terrorists, there is no appeasing the treasonous political terrorists some more politely call Liberal Democrats. At some point, their continued betrayal of America must be confronted firmly and brought to an end.

Other conservatives here and here with more from the once conservative and increasingly useless NRO here. Does that antiquated publication even come with a spine anymore?

Update: Video at Hot Air

Comments

[yyy]

I think you have it backwards, it is Bush and Gonzales who are the partisan hacks.

[Zifnab]

I'm totally with you Dan. Bush needs to be more confrontational. He needs to be more stubborn and unyielding. Bush needs to fight and kick and scream as loud and as hard as he possibly can.

I look forward it seeing him squirm. :-p

[Daniel DiRito]

See a tongue-in-cheek visual of Alberto & Karl starring in the new White House presentation of "Justice Is Served"...here:

http://www.thoughttheater.com/2007/03/justice_is_served.php

[southdakotaboy]

Do you notice that the Dems are doing all they can to distract this country from the fact that they aren't ending the war. They know that the muslims are a very real threat to us and that Bush didn't lie to get us into the war. They have to creat things to distract the people from stopping to think about why they aren't doing what they said they would. Because if the American people start putting things together the Dems are done.

[Legalize]

Being "tough" unfortunately presupposes that the president has a leg to stand on, politically or legally. But, you know.

[yyy]

Everyone who isn't in complete denial knows that ALL the reasons given for invading Iraq were lies.

The Dems are trying to chart a responsible course. They don't want to be blamed for 'losing' Iraq so can't do anything too abruptly.

The Dems did not create this particular mini scandal. The Bush administration (1) did something that has never been done before by firing this many attorneys at one time (2) failing to effectively communicate the reasons for the firings.

It is typical of Bush that on the same day the ENTIRE SENATE basically gave him a vote of no confidence by repealing the loophole in the Patriot Act that he would come out and blame the Democrats for a constitutional showdown.

[Zifnab]

SouthDakotaBoy, your tin foil hat is on backwards. Just FYI. I imagine that could be sorta embarcing being seen in public like that.

[redherkey]

It's so refreshing to hear Schumer and Leahy demand such high standards for testimony provided to Congress. Why just last week, Valerie Plame testified and the poor Senators were tricked into letting her make blatant misrepresentations while not under oath.

Clearly these clever Senators don't want to be tricked twice, eh?

[templar knight]

red, surely you jest. Are you telling me that Valerie was allowed to testify without being under oath? Are you kidding me?

[ET]

--ALL the reasons given for invading Iraq were lies.

No room for nuance in that statement. "ALL were LIES." Once again, Y-boy, you expose yourself as a Partisan Tool barking at the moon. Real world issues are too big for your small mind to grasp, so you imagine conspiracies in their place.

what color is the sky in your world?

[Zifnab]

"Why just last week, Valerie Plame testified and the poor Senators were tricked into letting her make blatant misrepresentations while not under oath. "

And not just Valerie Plame, but the entire hippie liberal CIA which presented documentation to the effect that Plame was an "undercover" "agent". Not to mention that partisan hack, General Hayden.

[Rob Kaufman]

Seems some right wings once again show they do not know the fact and spout off without knowing the truth. Sorry to burst your right wing bubble but Ms Plame was under oath when she testified. Don't let the facts get in the way of a good diversion.

[BobInStamford]

I for one am ashamed of the Democrats questioning the actions and motives of the Decider and his flunkies. They have a very expensive war to lose and this serves as a distraction from completing their mission. These heros and those on this board should be given every opportunity to fail miserably in Iraq without being burdened with the aggravation of domestic scandals. Go forward, brave patriots. Complete the Mission!

[Dan Riehl]

If there were to be a bright side of Islamic extremism taking hold in America, it is that the idiot Leftists would be the first to go.

[Jeff]

"We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honorable public servants."

Said leading Democrats in response, "well if we knew you didn't want us to go after honorable public servants we wouldn't have bothered."

They did however make a counter-offer, " We will agree to not take advantage of honorable public servants like Harry Reid, or Rep. Jefferson, or Ehren Watada if you allow us to take prosecute the real enemy to the state, people like Gen. Petraeus, Sen. Brownback, and Ronald Reagan," the spokeperson added, "of course we know that the Congressional hearing or Reagan will have to be post-humous, but I think it will spread the message of unity that this country needs now, more than ever."

[Jeff]

"If there were to be a bright side of Islamic extremism taking hold in America, it is that the idiot Leftists would be the first to go."

Bad call, then who will primary schoolers be able to make fun of? Who will shop at Hot Topic? Think about all the gay ministers out of work.

No more Indian treaties! Oh dear.

[yyy]

Dan is also to be commended for doing his part to elevate political debate in this country above partisanship by calling two sitting US Senators "Filth" It's a nice follow up to calling Valerie Plame a whore and prostitute.

Keep up the good work, Dan.

[BobInStamford]

Partisan fishing expedition? Ken Starr anyone? Payback's a bitch, cons. And to think, it's only 3/07, the party has just begun.

And, with respect to the unemployed gay ministers, i would assume that you mean Ted Haggard. Perhaps you didn't hear, but he was cured of the gay by his fellow spiritual leaders. Be sure to pray for him to find a job.

[Hard Right]

Only the left thinks Ken Starr was a partisan fishing expedition. That's because it was their guy under the microscope-and rightfuly so.

If the Dems are doing this for payback then it is additional proof of how they are politicizing the U.S. Attorney's for political gain.

[Dan Riehl]

{by calling two sitting US Senators "Filth"}

Hell, biy, it was a short post. I could name plenty more. How I left out that filth Feingold, I'll never know.

[Zifnab]

"Hell, biy, it was a short post. I could name plenty more. How I left out that filth Feingold, I'll never know."

You forgot to mention that they've all got cooties.

[Dan Riehl]

DOn't know about Cooties, but schumer definitely has teh gay.

[Hard Right]

They are cooties.

[BobInStamford]

Teh gay? Like Condi? Yikes!

[Zifnab]

Dan, you make this too easy.

[southdakotaboy]

By the way didn't Clinton fire something like 93 AGS at one time? And imagine what nothing was said. I say Bush needs to dust off Abe's old play book on how to deal with those who actively work against the USA in time of war.
I mean the Liberals think this si what going on anyway, let them see what it realy would be like.

[Zifnab]

"By the way didn't Clinton fire something like 93 AGS at one time?"

OMG, this has been in the news for practically two weeks and you're just hearing about the Clinton defense now? Dude, read any of the last two Attorney General posts or any number of the other Al Gore, Rapist Teacher, Polar Bear, OMG STOOPID PEOPLZ = LIBRULS, or other assorted threads and this has been discussed in full and at length multiple times.

Please find a new talking point. Thank you.

[yyy]

OMG, now trying to find out of USAs were fired because they failed to use their offices in a partisan manner is 'actively working against the USA in a time of war'

This is why the war on terror is utter bullshit, Orwellian nonsense.

When we are in a war that can never be won, a perpetual war that even Bush says will go on for DECADES then anything becomes a national security issue and the 'war president' is answerable to no one, apparently not even Congress.

In most dictionaries this would be called a totalitarian regime.

[Zifnab]

"Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox refuses a presidential order to make no further attempts to subpoena the Nixon tapes. The president orders Attorney General Richardson to fire Cox. Richardson refuses and resigns. Deputy Attorney General William Ruckleshaus also refuses the presidential order and is fired by Nixon. Robert H. Bork, the Solicitor General and next in line at the Justice Department, becomes acting attorney general and fires Cox. The events of the evening become known as the "Saturday Night Massacre." Later that evening, FBI agents seal off the offices of Richardson, Ruckleshaus and Cox's entire team."

Senate and House Republicans yesterday blasted the White House and the Justice Department for giving pink slips to virtually all 93 U.S. attorneys, a move Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole called the "March massacre" . . . .

"Nearly 20 years ago, when Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox and Attorney General Eliot Richardson were fired from their posts, the press railed about the so-called 'Saturday-night massacre,' " said Mr. Dole.

Any time you fire a whole bunch of USAs, it makes news. Yes, there was a great deal of noise made both times. One reason Kennith Starr was an Independent Prosecutor was because this way Clinton couldn't fire him.

[vetter]

Once again the prattling braindead (ziffy, yyy, legal, et al) come to Dan's site to make no sense and obfuscate logic...Hmmm. Makes me wonder if they aren't all actually Repubs planted here to spice things up AND prove that there exists nary a Democratic with a brain? Dan...you pullin' our collective legs?

[djangone]

Congrats, Dan, you got a little careful. This is the only grade-school bit I'd pull out of your post:

'And as with all terrorists, there is no appeasing the treasonous political terrorists some more politely call Liberal Democrats.'

Woohoo! Pretty soon you'll be challenging tenth-graders for basic compositional skills. But don't even ask me to begin on your logic. Bartlett, Stephanopoulos and other Clinton WH staff testified under oath back in the good ol' days. If Rove is too cowardly to speak under oath, too fucking bad. He'll be subpoenaed. I don't remember conservatives wringing their hands over executive privilege during the Starr years.

'I wish I had more faith in the people to grasp the constitutional issues behind this non-scandal...'

Why don't you 'splain it to them then, Dan. Hahahaha! Whew! Can't type for the tears in my eyes. Haha... wow, haven't laughed like that for days...

[Zifnab]

"Makes me wonder if they aren't all actually Repubs planted here to spice things up AND prove that there exists nary a Democratic with a brain?"

Damn. Ok, spoof's over guys. We got called.

Bush is the greatest! I love America! Death to Barak Hussien Obamalama! Haha. Totally had you all fooled for a while there. I'll just stick to posting as HR from here on out.

[Lug]

Good God! I can't even visit a conservative blog without encountering Leftards!
They must be tired of their circle jerk at Moveback.Org and Dunderhead Underground!!

[Legalize]

"Why don't you 'splain it to them then, Dan. Hahahaha! Whew! Can't type for the tears in my eyes. Haha... wow, haven't laughed like that for days..."

Now you're just being silly; you know full-well that Riehl and his gaggle don't go into the hows and whys. They've been trained to make statements like the one to which you referred with no explanation or context as to HOW and WHY their point should carry the day.

[Jeff]

"Dan is also to be commended for doing his part to elevate political debate in this country above partisanship by calling two sitting US Senators "Filth""

Liberals only accept wishing for a sitting VP's death. But they would never call a Senator filth! How dare you sir!

[Jon G]

Please post where any national liberal commentator has wished for the death of Cheney or Bush. Or anything similar to the statements Ann Coulter has made.

[Phoenix]

Jon,

He didn't say 'national' commentator. There have been plenty of death wishes for Cheney on various liberal blogs.

[Buzzy]

Someone needs to remind the Democrats that what goes around comes around and next cycle the AG's office, CIA, FBI, Courts, and just about everything else is going to be packed with Republicans drooling for payback. If they actually can get Hillary or that Hussien dude elected and they get their way on interim appointments they ain't gonna be able to fire anyone and appoint a friendly face without a congressional vote. Those can get tied up for months and months and months and months.

Be careful what you ask for kids, you might not like what you get.

[Phoenix]

you know full-well that Riehl and his gaggle don't go into the hows and whys. They've been trained to make statements like the one to which you referred with no explanation or context as to HOW and WHY their point should carry the day.

Posted by: Legalize | Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 10:07 PM

Prove this statement, counselor. You have the entire blog and archives at your command.

[Hard Right]

Bill Mahr, Michael Noore (IIRC). Plz don't start the bogus," only Reps use hate speech" BS.

[Hard Right]

Cindy Sheehan wishes she could have killed Bush.

[Jon G]

Maher's a comedian, not a national political comentator.

Examples please. Here's a couple samples from Ann Coulter:

We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens's creme brulee.

My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York Times building.

[Purple Avenger]

The correct response would have been to wave a copy of the Constitution at the camera, look straight into it, and tell congress: "they can lick my salty balls".

[Darth Malice]

I pray GW grows a spine.....we will see.

[Phoenix]

I'd still be cheering if he had, PA.

I'm still hoping he does.

[TheSpartan]

Actually Maher didn't wish for Cheney's death, he said that lives would be saved if he were dead. It's a subtle difference but a difference nonetheless.

[bubba]

If you are gonna talk about filth, Riehl, don't forget your mama.

[Scrapiron]

Leahy with the well earned nickname 'Leaky' should be in prison, not serving in congress. As a fact in the days when the constitution meant something he would have been hanged by the neck until dead. Is it too late to start following the constitution and established law and execute traitors, starting with Leaky?

[Jon G]

Scrapiron - another conservative for terrorizing our popularly elected officials.

[Buzzy]

Whenever I see comments on a blog where people just pop up to trash the blogger I have to really wonder at their maturity.

Maybe it's just me but I don't ever troll liberal websites and I never trash the host. If I don't like it someplace I leave and don't come back. Personally I like spirited debate and even argument but personal attacks bring nothing to the table and are a sign of a shallow mind.

Then we have idiots like "bubba" who is apparently in the fourth grade and rides to school on the short bus.

But back to the arena. No, Plame did not swear to the truth of her testimony, she merely "promised" to tell the truth. The full wording of the swearing in phrase was left out. A person can swear (with its religious background) or they can affirm to tell the truth. Both are binding and to lie after an affirmation or oath is perjury. She wasn't asked to take an oath as to the truth of her statements, wonder why. Personally that made it very clear to me that the Democrats knew she was going to lie and didn't want her going to prison like Libby.

As for the treasonous Democratic filth who are making a lot of noise over this issue, they won't push it. Why? Because legally they can't and practically they don't want to. The next Democrat elected President will need the ability to fire DAG's at will and without the convoluted "for cause" mess it entails. He or she will also need to appoint interim DAG's quickly and that isn't ever going to happen with filibusters and other political games in Congress.

Just like ending the war in Iraq, this Democratic Congress talk the talk but they're just like the Republicans they replaced.