Posted on 05/24/2006 5:39:59 PM PDT by kristinn
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday denied a report that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI in connection with a corruption probe.
ABC News, citing high level Justice Department sources, said information implicating Hastert had been developed from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government.
But department officials, who asked to not be identified, said the story was not accurate and that Hastert was not under investigation. "The story is wrong. Hastert is not under investigation," one official said.
My take is that Hastert misread what the public perception of his position on the search warrant would be. He might truly believe that he is fighting the good fight by protecting the House against Executive power, but I bet he has no idea how those outside of the Beltway view it as a reflex reaction to protect his pals and privileges, or how hopping mad it makes some of us (myself included). The sloppy ABC story doesn't change this for me one iota. Hastert may be a victim of the Drive-by Media, but he is also a victim of his own massive arrogance, and worse, for a Speaker, of political stupidity, IMHO. He could have condemned corruption, publicly thanked the DoJ for showing restraint and respect for the House, and then pitched his fit in private. Instead he chose to come across as a pompous ass, and I'm starting to think it is because he is one.
this morning on ABC's Good Morning America Ross was on there - this was their big lead story. He said DOJ is denying this but said ABC's sources are still insisting it is true. Then he said the Hastert part of the investigation was in it's 'early stages' and they may find that he was involved in no wrongdoing...
Sounded like a backstroke
Yeah no kidding. Well if ABC said it it must me true.
Yes. I agree. Which is why one increasingly wonders about the origins of some of these so called "conservatives." And don't tell me that they are all "libertarians," because the libertarians have been here for years, and the site has never experienced this kind of turmoil. I am of the opinion that good percentage of these hypercritical conservatives who are spewing nonesense are DU Trolls.
ABC is owned by Disney (DIS), the same company that has "Gay Days" at DisneyWorld, to enhance the "family" experience there.
The conservatives are appalled and annoyed that he would defend an obvious crook like Jefferson on whatever pretext.
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The conservatives are appalled and annoyed that he would not realize how his stance would be interpreted by his party faithful as nothing else but believing that Congress members are above the law.
It was a real "let them eat cake" moment.
If the Speaker cannot see that every American has to respond to subpoenas then what else can he not see when he is making decisions that affect all of us?
Congress sends subpoenas by the carload to Executive Branch officials, and expect cooperation. What part of William Jefferson's refusal to cooperate with the Justice Dept does Hastert not understand?
Drive-By-Media doing what it does best. Remember it doesn't matter what the facts are or if there is any validity to the story at all.
IT'S THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CHARGE THAT COUNTS.
The Executive branch reserves the right to tell Congress to blow it out their *ss in regards to subpoenas, as does Congress.
It would make sense that he's under investigation...or at least they are considering it. Why else would he want congressional offices off limits for warrant searches?
He's setting up himself as the Tony Soprano.
It has been the top story on ABC Radio news all morning as well.
I, too, think it was disinformation.
But I think it was passed along to a suspected media leaker to uncover a rat in the justice department.
That, or the whole thing was faxed in from a Kinkos in Amarillo and ABC just went with it because, while admittedly fake, it was true.
I have no doubt FR has been infiltrated by: (A) DU trolls and (B) Michael Savage idiots.
Purpose of Group A: Spread dissent.
Purpose of Group B: useful idiots.
ABC News has REPEATED this lie over and over at the top and bottom of every hour on every station they own from yesterday (5/24) to today (5/25). I heard it last night on my way home from work and I heard it again this morning on my way in. First, the results of their little ABCNews 'investigation', then, almost as an afterthought, the DOJ statement that Hastert is NOT a subject of any investigation.
I hope Rush pounces all the heck over this one on today's show. ABCNEws is in dire need of a heavily escorted trip out behind the woodshed.
I still think resignation of Hestert is a good thing. He is just plain ineffective.
I think you are confusing him with Frist.
The House is doing as fine as any legislature does, which admittedly is piss poor, but OK.
The Senate is consistantly the problem.
More like a backstab. ABS is actively rooting for President Nancy Pelosi, and it sure looks like Congressional RepublcRATs are rooting for the same.
Excellent point!!
Hassert should keep demanding a retraction until he gets it.
I don't think it's DU trolls, necessarily -- most of these disruptors can spell. I DO think there is a conscious effort by the Democrats and their allies in the media to divide Republicans prior to the '06 elections. This has been going on since at least the ports issue -- which calmed down, let's remember, after it became apparent that CHUCK SCHUMER of all people was behind the furor.
The immigration debate follows the same game plan. Disruptors have been having a field day bashing the President over the issue, when any bill must still go through the Senate, the House, and conference before the President even gets a chance to look at it.
No doubt there's a rabble rousing "divide and conquer strategy" at work in the MSM and the 'net, and I'm dumbfounded how many are falling for it -- it's the oldest trick in the book.
I like what Rush said yesterday about McCain's comments. He referred to him as "some guy named savage...whoever that is".
Well read my history of comments to find out if I'm a troll. What Hastert did sent me over the edge when he defended Jefferson. And he wants congressional offices off-limits for felony warrants!
It made no sense what-so-ever until the ABC report. Character does matter. Remember we said that about Clinton? And the constitution is the foundation my conservatism is based on. If he thinks it says congress gets to commit felonies and hide in congress...then he's wrong.
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