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TechnoratiHouse Democrats will postpone votes on criminal contempt citations against White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, while congressional leaders work with President Bush on a bipartisan stimulus package to fend off an economic downturn, according to party leaders and leadership aides.
Senior Democrats have decided that holding a controversial vote on the contempt citations, which have already been approved by the House Judiciary Committee as part of its investigation into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, would "step on their message" of bipartisan unity in the midst of the stimulus package talks.
Bush, citing executive privilege, has refused to allow Bolten or Miers to testify before the House Judiciary panel about the prosecutor purge. And former deputy White House chief of staff Karl Rove was barred by the administration from appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the same issue.
"Right now, we're focused on working in a bipartisan fashion on [the] stimulus," said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), indicating that the contempt vote is not expected for weeks, depending on how quickly the stimulus package moves.
Brendan Daly, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), said "no decision has been made" as to when a criminal contempt vote would be held by the House.
The Judiciary Committee approved contempt citations against Bolten and Miers on July 25, but Pelosi has yet to bring the measures to the floor.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved similar contempt citations against Bolten and Rove shortly before Congress adjourned in December.
The White House has declined to turn over internal documents sought by House and Senate Democrats looking into the U.S. attorney firings. And White House counsel Fred Fielding has offered only very limited circumstances under which current and former top White House aides can be interviewed about the firings.
Miers, a lawyer now back in private practice in Dallas, cited a White House claim of executive privilege and declined to appear at a July 12 hearing of the House Judiciary Committee.
White House aides have dismissed the prospect of a contempt battle with the Democratic-controlled Congress as a distraction from more pressing work, such as dealing with the war in Iraq and the nation's sagging economy.
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales also threatened to prevent Jeffrey Taylor, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, who would represent the Congress in a legal battle with the White House, from going to court to enforce the subpoenas. And Gonzales' successor, Michael Mukasey, declined during his confirmation hearing to say definitively how he would handle the issue.
Pelosi, who personally supports the contempt citations, has gotten mixed messages from her own leaders, as well as rank-and-file members, on whether to move ahead, although it is clear that there are not now enough votes for the citations to be approved by the House, according to Democratic insiders.
"When we have the votes, we'll go ahead with this. Right now, the votes are just not there," said one top House Democratic insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and other members of his panel have pressed Democratic leaders to hold the contempt vote, arguing that a failure to move would set a dangerous precedent that could weaken the Congress in any future investigations of the White House.
Conyers' staff declined to comment Tuesday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has not received any word from Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) when a floor vote on contempt citations might occur.
"Sen. Reid is consulting with Sen. [Patrick] Leahy [D-Vt.] and others when to hold a vote," said Reid's spokesman, Jim Manley.
© 2008 Politico.com
70 Comments so far
Show AllThe current Democrat leadership is extraordinarily lucky that there is someone around more visibly incompetent than they are. But for bumbling Bush, scary Cheney and their cohort of crooks, the mediocre Democratic Party functionaries squatting in the halls of Congress for the moment would quite rightly be thrown out of office exposed as unworthy of the public trust.
It is only in comparison that they survive. What a sad, sorry state of affairs for the voters to be relegated once again to voting for the less of two evils. What is even more tragic is that the titular Democrats would actually be worth following if they would merely follow their own party's tenets and the wishes of the majority of their membership.
Oh.....shit!!!!!!
to BrokenTop January 24th, 2008 1:31 am:
If Obama or Clinton are the Democratic nominee, then GOPhascists will allow Election 2008 to take place, since they're both Republican-lite politicians anyway ......... anyone else and Dubya will hold on to the presidency by whatever means necessary.
There is so much anger and contempt expressed in this discussion. The anger is totally understandable. I'm angry too because I need a Congress with integrity. But the anger against the American people is ultimately unproductive. Ordinary people are not going to be convinced by contemptuous leftist put-downs of their motives and intelligence. Do we just want to complain and feel superior to others or do we want to change hearts and minds? If the latter, I suggest a more compassionate approach to the sadly misled American people.
How is a Speaker of the House removed? I'm serious.
"Instead of whining about it, call your Congressperson and urge him/her to support the contempt citations."
Bob,
I would venture to say that there is a higher percentage of people here on CD who have contacted their "representatives" than in the general population. See, Americans are AWOL, asleep, drugged, dead from the neck up, amused, entertained, and generally just too busy to do much. In fact, I'd venture to say that most Americans aren't even aware of what the issues are that are affecting their lives.
Cause for a lot a hope, ain't it?
We're headed for a landing, and isn't going to be soft. Get your own ducks in order.
Pay attention to this:
"Pelosi, who personally supports the contempt citations, has gotten mixed messages from her own leaders, as well as rank-and-file members, on whether to move ahead, although it is clear that there are not now enough votes for the citations to be approved by the House, according to Democratic insiders.
"When we have the votes, we'll go ahead with this. Right now, the votes are just not there," said one top House Democratic insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity."
Instead of whining about it, call your Congressperson and urge him/her to support the contempt citations.
If they refuse to meet their responsibilities, defending the Constitution and the American people, they should be removed from office. They are stealing their salaries and breaking their oaths.
Q You asked "something that wasn't disappointing ……… anyone recall anything?"
Yep, one democrat died was still elected, and simultaneously defeated Rumsfeld (I think it was), who was running against him.
Dead demo overtakes and wins against fascidiot, talk about beating a dead horse.
60 comments blasting Pelosi, Reid and the entire Democratic Party and the comments fall on deaf ears. Pelosi, Reid and the Democratic Party know they are being hammered by the progressives but they have written us off. The post that said Pelosi and Reid were simply carrying out the DLC agenda has it correct. The DLC is really an arm of the Republican Party--they [the DLC] possess no Democratic ideals whatsoever. We need to throw out both parties, ruin the mainstream media and start over.
The "election" will be a sham just as 2000,2002 and 2004 were. I doubt there will even be an election as the Republican Party will never relinquish, via an honest election, the control they have lied and stolen to achieve. The American people are sleepwalking through the political process and will rue the day they didn't wake up and take their country back.
They the leadership in the House,have made this and opther like situations political, as opposed to carrying out the the rock core of our republic, the rule of law. If they refuse to follow law breaking, and hold people accountable. We no longer have a government that is legitimate, All facets of social order will come unglued.
How can the working class be charged and held for trial, but the ruling class gets a free pass? If ever there were reason to revolt this kind of injustice fuels the depth of every mans soul and cries out for meaning. Every person who feels this in their soul has an opp ligation to speak out , to organize and demand from their duly elected officials, that these laws can not be broken and disobeyed with impunity, Further that those elected by the people armed with this data do fully intend to hold these officials accountable.
If impeachment is off the table it's because Pelosi is off the rocker. What a disgusting political tramp.
"If it means they have to bring out the motel room pics, then so be it..."
Harry and Nancy might be in those pics.
According to afterdowningstreet.org it is Rep. Jerrold Nadler. Read the article.
This i the site to urge him to open Impeachment proceedings ;
http://asknadler2impeach.org
Vote Green Party.
Time for me to start voting AGAINST the Democratic Party. I'll vote for someone I like (Kucinich) or absent that, for a Republican. I'll do it knowing that it will help Democrats lose elections. I'll do it knowing that it will help Republicans win elections. I'll do it knowing that sometimes it's necessary to kill something that has become the evil you've been fighting against. I'll do it knowing that I'd rather fight an enemy I can see, rather than one that cozies up to me and stabs me in the back.
VOTE ANTI-DEMOCRAT! The life you save may be your own.
I'm trying hard to remember the last time congressional democrats did something that wasn't disappointing ......... anyone recall anything?
Dammit Nancy and Harry, there have to be CONSEQUENCES for what these jokers have done. If it means they have to bring out the motel room pics then so be it, you owe this much to the nation by now.
INVESTIGATE or GET OUT!
Switzerland came in first in environmental health, followed by Sweden, Norway, Costa Rica and Colombia. The United Stupid Asses came in 39th.
Switzerland is a direct democracy, Sweden and Norway are Social Democracies, Costa Rica has no army and Colombia has little industrialization. There could be some lessons here.
NUKular = on the table
Impeachment, Contempt = Off the table.
Checks & Balances = Non-Existent
What is this New World Order coming to?
This whole system isn't worth a bucket of nothin'...the downward spiral is outta control now. Too little attention by the sheeple has been paid to the truth. B'bye USA!
As usual the Democrats kiss Republican derriere and constantly harp about bipartisanship. It's obvious the Republicans aren't concerned about bipartisanship. They don't need to be, with the servile and compliant Democrats giving them a blank check for anything they want.
I'm not ever voting for either a Republican OR a Democrat. The two-sides-of-the-same coin party doesn't represent me and doesn't respect the people they're supposed to represent.
"...would "step on their message"..."
[would "step on their tails"]
"Right now, we're focused on working in a bipartisan fashion..."
[Right now we're focused on bending over in fashion]
"Pelosi has yet to bring the measures to the floor."
[Pelosi will get reamed on the floor.]
"...such as dealing with the war in Iraq..."
[...such as dealing out more money for the war in Iraq...]
"...that could weaken the Congress in any future investigations of the White House."
[...that could weaken the Congress in any future criminal collaborations with the White House.]
"John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and other members of his panel have pressed Democratic leaders to hold the contempt vote..."
[John Coward Jr. (D-Mich.) and other members of his panel have pressed Democratic leaders to fold the contempt vote...]
"...not received any word from Majority Leader Harry Reid..."
[...not received anything but vacillation from Majority Coward Harry Reid...]
There you have your totally sold-out, cowardly, and unprincipled "opposition party"!
Dump the Democrats! We need another party to oppose the Republicans. It is obvious the Democrats aren't worth a bucket of warm spit!
I recall when the American Eagle was more
than a thread bare destitute begging vulture.
Vote? what vote? We've already been co-opted by the MSM and all the so-called leaders. We've been had and will continue to be screwed up one side and down t'other. This country is in free fall and is doomed...so it seems to me.
Sooooo ashamed to admit I'm in Texas, but there you have it--a veteran survivor (so far) of TWO Gee Dubya Bush administrations--gubernatorial and presidential! (He bankrupted Texas just for practice before he took that concept national.)
The deal is, State of Texas won't allow Kucinich's name on the ballot.
So John Edwards it is...
Old Hippy,
There is no need for Cheney/Bush to cancel the election--November will be a neocon-only election. As for explicitly suspending the consitution, that also is unnecessary--signing statements and the acquiescence of Congress are much easier and more effective.
. . . and the Demorats eat the cheese.
Nice photo of the real axis of evil!
(the cat jumped on the keyboard)
Bi-partisanship means screw the people. Let em' eat cake!
Old Hippy
We've been around the block a few times and have seen a lot. I'm still voting for Kucinich, too. The man has been fighting for the common people all his life.
Nice photo of the real axis of evil!
Hey Folks!
We'll these gutless, self-servants have kissed-off the Consitution, the idea of America, its people and the oath of office they swore to serve.
Dumping a people and turning your backs on a country in need to save a political party and self-pursuit really says it all. The term "traitors" puts it mildly.
This is one of many reasons why I'm voting for Kucinich, if Cheney & Co don't STAGE another 9-11 type disaster, (think Super Bowl), suspend the Constitution and cancel the election. "in the interest of Natl. Security"
Nancy Pelosi is the perfect frontwoman for the Democratic Party...a REPUBLOCRAT -- watered down, no backbone, self-preservationist. Democrats and Republicans are essentially the same...they just spew their jargon to the American people in different ways --- all points eventually converge and fall to meet the same end.
The only democrat worth listening to is DENNIS KUCINICH.
I have a feeling that we are approaching an important "teachable moment". Those of us who are working for justice and peace must be ready to help others understand that the transnational corporate elite is really running the show. Right now most people in the US are under the spell of the media wizards but they are not delusional. When the economy tanks and the nukes fly and the plagues hit, they will be looking for answers and more open to hearing a message of hope that emphasizes human needs and international cooperation and the protection of the planet. You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one.
hmmm 3rd party
The Republican Party ran a candidate for the White House in 1860. Uhh they won.
so obviously 3rd Parties do work.
Are the dem leaders weak or sold out; either way they must be replaced as soon as possible!
Three leeches from the same jar.
Hey Seattle, obviously you don't have children and/or you are still in your youth, but to say you will desert the country? What we need is back-bone and try to change this disaster. Get rid of Democrats that play ball with Corporate Interests, get rid of Democrats that can't and/or don't understand the Constitution.
Replace them with Democrats that understand the working class, the need for Health Care, Education, strengthen our domestic economy, stop out-sourcing our industries, control the corporate greed that is always present, cut Tax Relief for the 1% that donot need it and I'm sure the list is long, long.
Before you could spell Monica Lewinski, the Hypocrites were stringing Pres. Clinton by his, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman". Could that be worse than sending over 3000 service people to their deaths and 20,000 injuries to service people, some of the injuries so severe that they are living deaths?
And the natives of the countries we ATTACKED, what about them???
We must find a way to get a new footing on getting the Country on track, any way, any way!!
That's it. I don't give a damn who the Democrats run. I'm voting STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN from now on. To hell with the Democratic party. They don't listen to what we have asked them to do. At least I'll be voting for those who I know what they will be doing, no matter how bad. Not a bunch of shirking wimps. The Democrats had the biggest chance in years to make a change. What did we get? Nothing.
From what most of you are saying, I don't think you appreciate the true difference between the Democratic and the Republican Party.
The Republican Party has a president in power, they don't support human rights, they don't respect the constitution, they don't support health care reform, they have no economic policy except to provide tax cuts for the very rich, and they lie about their true motives in order to win elections. The Democratic Party is different in one very significant way: they don't have a President in power.
And the carousel of distraction turns yet again. The exhibit on the war in Iraq is over, please turn your attention to the collapse of our economy. Coming next week: Hearings on the abuse of steroids by rap stars, followed by the untimely death of another celebrity. Don't forget to turn your ticket in for a door prize when you leave.
SeattlePatriot hit the nail on the head. Time to save/cash out from this failed system. Interest rate will be cut next week another 50bp, the dollar will continue to tank and it maybe time to look for another place to hang your collective hats. McCain will likely win the whole nine yards in 2008 resulting in continued political incompetence that will be the national policy for years to come.
"White House aides have dismissed the prospect of a contempt battle with the Democratic-controlled Congress as a distraction from more pressing work, such as dealing with the war in Iraq and the nation's sagging economy."
...and steroid use by athletes.
"there are not now enough votes for the citations to be approved by the House, according to Democratic insiders."
Why not? Can we get some expansion on that?
"We Need a Revolution to Rip the System!"
Its' not as if Dubya, Cheney, & Co. are capable of multi-tasking, talking out of one side of their treasonous holes and screwing the American people at the same time. That the Democratic "leadership" in Congress is capable of doing only one thing at once is pathetic and disturbing.
[Oh alright. I'll say it for the absent, usual suspects]
"VOTE DEMOCRAT OR ELSE"
With "leaders" like these, who can TELL that the Republicans aren't still in charge of the Congress???
Are there ANY of them connecting the BILLIONS they've voted in MONEY WE DON'T HAVE to the problems with the ECONOMY???
The phrase "It's the economy, stupid" needs to be amended to:
"IT'S THE WAR, STUPID!!!!"
VOTE OUT THE WAR-DEMOCRATS AND VOTE IN THE PRO-PEACE CANDIDATES WHO CHALLENGE THESE HORRID INCUMBENTS!!!
###
I've amended my "donor card" info to reflect my desire to donate my spine and attached testicles to the Democratic Party.
Can you say BULLSHIT?! Come on Pelosi, can you people not do two things at once?
Why not tell the Republicans that you'll go along with their economic reform hearings IF they will go along with your contempt hearings, or better yet with your IMPEACHMENT hearings!
Remember you hold the majority!
It appears that "bipartisan unity" is just a euphemism for fascism; the phrase itself sickens me. They can all go to hell.
A win for Cindy in November can help solve part of this problem.
http://www.cindyforcongress.com
DD: How about a comment on the reform DEMS on this post?
Hurray for Chunga's Revenge! I tried to tell Democrats in '04 when they said a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush that in fact a vote for Kerry was a vote for Bush. If they had all voted for Nader - real change could have been accomplished in one election cycle - we really don't have another twenty years to endure the same politics we now have.
If you truly believe in Democracy and are not afraid of the truth - I challenge Democratic delegates to place in their platform a commitment to pursue Instant Runoff Voting (IRV).
This would allow us to vote our consciences and prove just who is a viable candidate.
I went to the caucuses this year and have been made a Democratic delegate at the first level and intend to pursue it to the national level if possible - (they don't know what they're in for) I intend to push this issue - HARD. I am also on the platform committee and have submitted numerous progressive resolutions for inclusion and intend to fight hard to have them included. I've got to admit so far its been fun creating a little indigestion from within the belly of the beast. Shhhhhhhh Don't tell them - I urge others to join me in this Trojan Horse campaign. Let's give the convention donkeys a little slap on the a-- this year.
Don't shoot the crook robbing the bank, because he may drop in a few pennies to the blind person sitting on the steps of the bank with his tin cup out.
The following is a reasonable approximation of a typical left leaning American voter.
"My god, Aren't the Democrats and Republicans terrible! Now, whom should I vote for? I can't possibly look beyond the three choices brought to me by General Electric's NBC. That would be "wasting my vote". I want my vote to "count" so I will vote for the person who can win and the only ones who can win are General Electric's NBC choices. Never mind that they espouse policies indistinguishable from the hated Republicans."
The narrative splits here with "yeah Edwards", "yeah Obama", or "yeah Clinton".
Democracy is really not that hard to understand. You get what you vote for. All it takes is a few of your own congress people to get the ball rolling, making a stink, bringing attention to the real issues. Then, you will have healthcare, education, jobs and peace.
You don't have to "win" the presidency, senate and congress all at once. It's a gradual thing. But you have got to believe in your own progressive candidates. If you don't believe in them, nobody else will either.
You know if every voter in this country voted for the third party candidates of their choice, I don't really care which third party. The political situation in this country would change in one election cycle. Why oh why do the American people continue to buy in to the lie of this corrupt, one party masquerading as two parties, system?
Two wings of the same party - The Corporate Party.
"step on their message" of bipartisan unity"
muthaf*&%$ing bas*&$#ds!!!
Every time it's time to hold someone accountable there's a 'crisis' that prevents it. There are a lot of people in this country and it is a simple matter to put together a panel to invesigate criminal misconduct. This is called multi-tasking folks. The economic crisis is just an excuse.
Just another example of how the Democrats are really ineffective and cowardly. A bitter disappointment.
Okay, that's it, folks. I'm liquidating everything I own (while it still has a nominal value) and heading to another country. There's a major crisis of leadership in America. If we seriously can't do better than G. "Dubya" Bush and Nancy ("I'm really a Republican plant") Pelosi, we and the country are doomed.
Since the votes aren't there, Nancy isn't the only Democrat who needs to be kicked out. It sounds like a solid majority of them need to be replaced.
kathyodat
The Democrats have a very strong backbone. Just watch when they go after the Greens or Mr. Nader or idiot liberals. Ms. Pelosi wasn't lacking backbone when she wanted to have the progressive protesters that were bothering her arrested. Nope, the only time it appears there's a lack of backbone is when we expect the Dems to do what they are not going to do .... act like a real opposition to the Republicans and the pro-corporate agenda. And that's not because the backbone isn't there. Its because the very idea that the Evilcrats are an opposition party is a big lie they tell to get votes. When you watch their actions instead of listening to their words, the big lie becomes obvious.
Of course they stalled it. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
Has anyone not figured out yet that the leadership of the Democrats are actively protecting Republicans who've broken the law and would normally be facing charges or impeachment? They are not inept. They are not 'capitulating'. They actively have a pro-active policy of shielding these crooks at all times.
The Evilcrats want headlines that are critical of the Republicans. So they'll take this stuff to the first step and get those headlines. But they don't want to actually do anything.
At least with Pelosi, you can do something about it. Support Cindy Sheehan. Send her contributions. Find time to go there and volunteer a bit. www.cindyforcongress.org.
Wouldn't it be a cool election day to see this be a well funded campaign with an army of volunteers that kicks the wicked witch of the west out of Congress!
This is actually in keeping with the tradition of the new Democratic Party. They are not capitulating. They are doing exactly what the DLC has told them to do. The real idiots are the ones that vote Democrat, somehow assuming they are an 'opposition' party with a differing ideology. They are not. Get over it.
Bitter with diappointment. Miers and Bolten's scrawny rear-ends should be in the fabled sling over this. Bush, as well.
Pelosi and Reid are treasonous. Neither has any respect for the Constitution or the American people.
Another shameful Democratic rollover for the Fascists!
Worried George?
So, ...
How long before contempt joins impeachment in the magic land of "off the table"?
Friends don't let friends vote Republican or Democratic.
Remember when all the Republicrats said Pelosi would be a radical, the worst possible thing for the House? Boy, is she still trying to prove them wrong, or what!
I've just changed my organ donor card. It now reads, "In case of death, please send my backbone to the Democrats in Congress."