Posted on 08/14/2007 12:05:57 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Rove's Departure No Loss For America, Leaves Office Before Clearing the Air
Karl Rove, chief architect of Bush's failed and reckless policies, resigns under a cloud of suspicion, refusing to testify before Congress regarding the US Attorneys scandal. Like so many senior Bush Administration officials before him, Rove's departure is marked by controversy -- not only over the US Attorneys scandal but his involvement in the Valerie Plame scandal where he leaked the name of the covert CIA agent. Undoubtedly, Rove's departure will not end the Bush White House's policies of putting what's best for the Republican Party ahead of what's best for America.
"Karl Rove's departure may be a loss for the Bush White House but it's no loss for America," said DNC Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "Whether it's his involvement in the politically motivated firings of US Attorneys or his leaking the name of a covert CIA agent or his fear and smear tactics along the campaign trail, Karl Rove's type of leadership has no place in the White House. And it certainly shouldn't stop him from being held responsible for his actions. Rove may now join a long list of senior Republican officials forced to resign under a cloud of scandal, but the true problem rests with a Bush White House that for eight years has put what's best for the Republican Party ahead of the American people."
Other officials resigning after the US Attorneys' scandal:
White House Political Director, Sara M. Taylor: Sara M. Taylor, "political director and microtargeting guru" resigned a month after a subpoena from the Senate Judiciary Committee was authorized…While subpoenas have been authorized, White House officials have not yet been compelled to testify." "The White House political strategist was first identified as playing a role in the removal of US Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas H.E. 'Bud' Cummins during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with D. Kyle Sampson, the former Chief of Staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Taylor was also identified by Monica Goodling, Gonzales's former White House Liaison" After Goodling was asked "what Karl Rove knew about the firing of the US Attorneys, she suggested Taylor had signed off on the plan. 'There was an e-mail that Mr. Sampson forwarded to me, I think, on December 4, if I'm remembering correctly, that said that it had been circulated to different offices within the White House and that they had all signed off,' Goodling answered. 'I think it said that White House political had signed off. Political is actually headed by Sara Taylor but does report to Mr. Rove, so I don't know for sure.'" [Washington Post, 5/28/07; Raw Story, 5/28/07]
Former Chief of Staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales at the Justice Department D. Kyle Sampson: D. Kyle Sampson resigned from the Justice Department "in the midst of a growing scandal involving eight fired U.S. attorneys," and "two weeks later became the first top level official to testify under oath after the release of e-mails propelled the expanding" scandal. Sampson "said he took responsibility for changing and contradictory explanations about the firings, which in turn fueled congressional inquiries that turned into 'an ugly, undignified spectacle.'" Sampson's ties to the current White House are strong. "Before going to the Justice Department he was an associate counsel to President Bush from 1999 to 2001. He also served on the Bush transition team when the president first took office to provide legal advice to the incoming administration." [Desert Morning News, 3/14/07; Salt Lake Tribune, 4/22/07]
Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty: Paul J. McNulty announced his resignation "after 18 months on the job, becoming the fourth senior Justice Department official to quit amid the controversy surrounding the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys last year…McNulty began work as Gonzales's deputy in November 2005. McNulty became a central figure in the furor after he told the Senate Judiciary Committee in February that the White House played only a marginal role in the dismissals -- a characterization that conflicted with documents later released by Justice and with subsequent testimony. He also said most of the prosecutors were fired for 'performance-related' reasons. That statement angered many of the former U.S. attorneys, most of whom had sterling evaluations and had remained largely silent about their departures." [Washington Post, 5/15/07]
Former Counsel and White House Liaison for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Monica Goodling: Monica Goodling resigned from the Justice Department after refusing to testify to Congress about her role in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys. Now the "Justice Department is investigating whether its former White House liaison used political affiliations in deciding whom to hire as entry-level prosecutors in some U.S. attorney offices around the country…Such consideration would be a violation of federal law." The inquiry has raised "new concerns that politics might have cast a shadow over the independence of trial prosecutors who enforce U.S. laws." [AP, 5/2/07]
Director Of The Executive Office Of U.S.Attorneys: Michael Battle: Michael Battle "who had carried out the dismissals, resigned March 16." [USA Today, 5/14/07]
Former White House Counsel Harriet Miers: Harriet Miers resigned just weeks before the White House and Justice Department faced questions surrounding eight fired U.S. attorneys. Two weeks after Ms. Miers' effective last day as White House council, the New York Times reported that Miers intervened on behalf of a replacement to a United States attorney in Arkansas who was dismissed from his job without explanation. "As White House counsel, she initially suggested that Mr. Bush replace all 93 U.S.attorneys after his re-election, and she received copies of correspondence from Mr. Gonzales' underlings as the list was narrowed." Another report indicated that "Less than a month before the firings, Miers said she would consider whether the president should be brought in. Three days before the firings, the White House signed off the plan[.]" Miers' role in the growing scandal remains "murky" because the White House refuses to let Ms. Miers testify [Washington Post, 1/5/07; New York Times, 2/16/07; Dallas Morning News, 4/19/07; Knight Ridder, 3/21/07]
Fact is, Bush won't run for anything ever again and now that we're in the election cycle there won't be any big political initiatives. Rove says he doesn't want to manage campaigns any more. So, why is he needed at the White House and why should he stay?
Not only this but the DLC (formed for Bill Clinton) was neglected for other more, left wing, segments.
Left, left, Go Left Democrats, right over that bluff over there.
Gee, I don’t remember the RNC putting out nasty press releases when Leon Panetta resigned. In fact, I seem to remember the RNC comments wished him well. The DNC is a truly nasty, brutal and vulgar bunch.
Does anyone know how many of the US attorney’s Bill Clinton had removed (one way or another) from office. The answer might surprise some folks.
If anyone is wondering, here is a link to the correct answer.
http://www.mediaresearch.org/cyberalerts/2007/cyb20070314.asp
When he first took office he removed ALL 90-plus sitting U.S. attorneys and named Dems who had supported him in their place, the more money they raised for Clinton-Gore, the better chance they had at being named. It was reported as routine, business-as-usual. I remember all this because I knew the guy he appointed in Dallas, who raised more money for Clinton in Texas than any other “candidate.” And they accuse Bush and Gonzales of politicizing hiring at D0J.
And...now open to slander (libel?) tort by the “private” Karl Rove.
I’m hoping Rush asks him tomorrow!
All of them.
No surprise, tho.
I’ll say! Dems, be afraid...be very afraid!
One political ad by the son left behind after Susan Rosenberg's gang kiiled his father would do wonders to put Hillary in the proper limelight.
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