Posted on 07/27/2005 11:59:22 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
Before news events overtook them, Democrats were on a roll about Karl Rove, the Bush adviser they've targeted for job termination -- even before a federal grand jury concludes its investigation into who leaked the name of a covert CIA agent to the press.
On Tuesday, various Democrats returned to the subject.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it has compiled a timeline of events involving the leak -- "to set the record straight in a way that no amount of Republican spin can overcome."
And Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card asking for an explanation of the so called "12 hour gap." That refers to the length of time it took then-White House counsel Alberto Gonzales to inform White House staffers that the federal investigation was about to begin -- and that all documents pertaining to the leak of Valerie Plame's name should be retained.
The night he learned about the impending investigation, Gonzales told only Chief of Staff Andrew Card. Gonzales says he waited until morning to let other White House officials know, since most of them had gone home.
Democrats are suggesting that Gonzales' 12-hour delay in informing Bush administration officials was calculated to give them time to destroy documents.
"The time has come for the White House to shed some light on what happened at the very beginning of the [federal] investigation," Schumer said on Tuesday. "At every recent twist and turn in this investigation there seems to be another evasion from the White House.
"Andy Card ought to simply tell the American people whether or not he gave Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, or anyone else advance warning about the document request from the Department of Justice."
Schumer's letter asks Card to "immediately disclose whether, at any time between when you were informed that evening and when the official document request was communicated to all White House staff, you informed Mr. Rove, Mr. Libby, or anyone else that an official order to preserve any possible evidence related to the investigation was coming."
For its part, the DCCC is thanking its supporters for signing a petition that "demands accountability" from the White House.
"Nearly 20,000 of you have signed our petition insisting that President Bush keep his word and fire those involved in the betrayal of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. With each passing day, the implications and evidence mount, and the White House wall of denial crumbles," the message said.
The DCCC's timeline begins in February 2002, with Ambassador Joe Wilson's trip to Niger. It ends on Oct. 28, 2005 -- the day the federal grand jury investigating the leak of Valerie Plame's name is scheduled to expire.
In between, the timeline details how the White House "circled the wagons"; how Plame was outed in the press; how the investigation began and the "floodgates" opened; and how the Bush administration has refused to comment on the ongoing investigation.
"The Republicans are digging in for potentially months of disinformation, knowing that those at the heart of their party are in a hopelessly indefensible position," the DCCC message said.
It notes that no Democrat has had a hand in the federal investigation, something that makes the entire process suspect in Democrats' eyes; and it mentions that "speculation about perjury and conspiracy charges" is growing every day.
President Bush has urged everyone to avoid speculation and wait for the facts.
The DCCC message tells Democrats that "Karl Rove and other senior White House officials put an intelligence officer and those in contact with her at risk for partisan political reasons; they must be held accountable -- and must be removed from power."
"Read the timeline, forward this email on, and keep it as a resource so you can go straight back to the facts during the next Republican propaganda blitz.
"And stay tuned, we'll have much more to come." The DCCC warns Democrats that Republicans will try to "distract" them -- "but we here at the DCCC will make sure they are held accountable -- and that you have the facts."
There's no word when the federal grand jury will release the facts of the case it has been investigating for months.
This entire Rove thingy mabobber has the feel of a rope a dope to me.
Kindof ironic claim when you consider that Rove had a contemporaneous e-mail with notes on the conversation - which was turned over - and that Cooper originally said that he had notes but never produced them.
I am looking forward to the indictments...against the CIA and State Dept Get-Bush hacks involved.
SPAM is a terrible thing. Where's the request for money to continue the "fight" against "the evil empire"?
Democrats are suggesting that Gonzales' 12-hour delay in informing Bush administration officials was calculated to give them time to destroy documents.
Oh Good Grief
HEY CHUCKIE .. The Clinton's aren't in office anymore
This amdinistration doesn't stay up all night .. they actually go home to their families and sleep at night
Unlike the pizza parties Clinton had
What is the liberal agenda for either 06 or 08?
Wonder what the Dems will do when they find out that Fitzgerald is working for Bush?
And to borrow a cliche" from the Clinton lovers.......It's time to move on! Remember that one??????
Here's a question I haven't seen asked....Even if Rove were "fired", what would it accomplish except for a temporary black eye for W? Do the RATs really think that the GOP would not continue to seek out Rove's political advice and strategies? I'm sure even the White House would continue to rely on his expertise, and nobody but political insideres would ever know or care.
Now, if we can just persuade you to all move into one congressional district we might have some hope of gaining a House seat in 2006.
LOL....the 12 hour gap..
Always remember what LBJ used to say about Chuckie: "The most dangerous place in Washington, DC is to stand between Chuckie Schumer and a TV camera".
Schumer is a joke, a laughingstock, he is the kind of politicial who are driving good, hardworking people out of NY State. My brother and sister-in-law, a PhD and MD recently left the upstate NY area because they simply couldn't afford the taxes any longer. They just quit their jobs and moved to Ohio. Many are doing the same. Schumer and Hillary are a large part of the problem.
It doesn't bother me that the Dems are continually repeating lies despite the fact that the truth is staring them right in their collective face. That is what libs do. What bothers me (infuriates me, actually) is that they think I am idiotic enough to believe them.
The big queswtion in my mind is: "When will the Dems get the story right?"
LOL...sorry...I hadn't read the posts when I pinged you..
No problem :0)
Though I think we had the same thought about this 12 hours *L*
If someone who knew nothing about the Plame affair just tuned in, they'd think that Karl Rove had faxed a complete list of all US covert agents and all their recruits to every foreign embassy, and all for malicious revenge.
Seriously, they were discussing how they would ever get any foreigners recruited again or get anyone to trust the US now that the US at the highest levels cares nothing about its agents, throws them away and doesn't care if they are killed.
I wanted to throw a shoe at the TV, at the lying, treasonous bastards.
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