Bush Denies Congress Access to Key Aides [invoked executive privilege Monday to deny requests by..]

AP via BREITBART ^ | Jul 9 10:25 AM US/Eastern | LAURIE KELLMAN

[Sub-Driver]

Bush Denies Congress Access to Key Aides Jul 9 10:25 AM US/Eastern By LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush invoked executive privilege Monday to deny requests by Congress for testimony from former White House aides Sara Taylor and Harriet Miers.

The White House offered once more to make the pair available for private, off-the-record interviews on any role it might have played in the firings of several U.S. attorneys.

In a letter to the heads of the House and Senate Judiciary panels, White House counsel Fred Fielding insisted that Bush was acting in good faith and refused lawmakers' demand that the president explain the basis for invoking the privilege.

The latest move in the separation of powers fight between the legislative and executive branches came as members of Congress began returning from their Fourth of July recess. An atmosphere of high tension accompanied the resumption of work as a fight also loomed there between majority Democrats and some key Republicans and Bush over his Iraq war policy.

In his letter regarding subpoenas the Judiciary panels issued, Fielding said, "The president feels compelled to assert exeutive privilege with respect ot the testimony sought from Sara M. Taylor and Harriet E. Miers."

"You may be assured that the president's assertion here comports with prior practices in similar contexts, and that it has been appropriately documented," the letter said.

[samtheman]

Good for Bush.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Fantastic. He found a pair, probably nestled next to his veto pen in a drawer somewhere.

[frogjerk]

Fantastic. He found a pair, probably nestled next to his veto pen in a drawer somewhere.

He pulls it out once in a while, the pen that is...

[Kaslin]

The left is having a hissy fit

[Suzy Quzy]

I guess Laura gave him his “set” back.

[EndWelfareToday]

...lawmakers demand that the president explain the basis for invoking the privilege.

Do the word's "Bite Me" mean anything to you "lawmakers?"

[Inquisitive1]

Hell of a time to find your spine, but good move GWB.

[Fudd Fan]

He’s always had “a pair.” The main reason we were so frustrated over the amnesty-bill... his stubbornness has served us well in the WoT and on other issues, but it can be a double-edged sword when we disagree with what President Bush does.

In this case, good for him! (And Go Fred Go!)

[BMC1]

GOOD! I love seeing the left have a hissy fit. I am really going to enjoy watching the fireworks.

In fact what would even be better is if President Bush decides to give Libby a full pardon.

The more the left acts like the left, the more Americans will see just how hateful and CRAZY they are.

[Inquisitive1]

Sara and her legal manuevers

[WhiteGuy]

Heh heh heh..............

Funny, when clinton took the same approach, there was outrage................

[Puddleglum]

Does the fact that they are former aids make a difference? I am just trying to get at the logic behind when and how executive privilege is invoked. I know Leahy is on a witch hunt, BTW, designed solely to raise funds by riling up Dims every day between now and 2008.

[free_for_now]

Does anyone have any idea why he hasn’t told them to mind their own business regarding US attorneys? This may have been explained in another thread, but my impression was that they serve at his pleasure and he could fire any one of them just cause he wants to give the job to someone he likes better. Can the Justice Dept. launch inquiries into the reasons for any firings of any Congressional staffers?

For the life of me, I don’t understand why he hasn’t told them to drop dead before this.

[TexasCajun]

Someone should investigate Investi-Gate !

[Kaslin]

For the life of me, I don’t understand why he hasn’t told them to drop dead before this.

Because he has class. Privately though he probably has thought to himself that he wished they would drop dead

[Raycpa]

Does the fact that they are former aids make a difference?

No, otherwise there would be no such thing as former aids.

[Purrcival]

It’s about time!

[HarleyLady27]

WTG BUSH!!!

The dems have lodged over 100 investigations....why????

Just remember, libs, turn around is fair play.....your next.....

[Badeye]

‘Just remember, libs, turn around is fair play.....your next.....’

Right....as if the GOP has the ‘tude required for that.