Dems fault Bush on executive privilege [most expansive view of executive privilege since Watergate]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Dems fault Bush on executive privilege

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer 2 minutes ago

President Bush's refusal to let two confidants provide information to Congress about fired federal prosecutors represents the most expansive view of executive privilege since Watergate, the House Judiciary Committee told a federal judge Thursday.

Lawyers for the Democratic-led panel argued in court documents that Bush's chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former White House counsel Harriet Miers are not protected from subpoenas last year that sought information about the dismissals.

The legal filing came in lawsuit that pits the legislative branch against the executive in a fight over a president's powers.

The committee is seeking the testimony as it tries to make a case that the White House directed the firing of nine U.S. attorneys because they were not supportive enough of Republicans' political agenda.

The White House says such information is private and covered by executive privilege, the doctrine intended to protect the confidentiality of presidential communications.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

[Sub-Driver]

Take it to the supreme court and let's see who wins...

[Cicero]

It beats me why these morons want to spend all this time and trouble hammering Bush. I don’t think many people are interested in it, and Bush is a lame duck.

Speaking of Watergate, hillary was fired from her post for unethical behavior unbecoming to a lawyer. That’s the message I take from all this.

[tobyhill]

There is no underlying crime that's been proved so no court, other than the 9th Circuit, would touch this with a ten foot pole.

[mnehring]

So its fine if Clintoon does it to protect his staff from talking about floozys, but when President Bush uses it in a time of war, when the left is leaking military plans and other secret info all over the place, well that is bad.

[Rob112586]

They’re actually right here IMO, but total hypocrits. Bush has embraced the UET, but so did Clinton who used the OKC bombing as his justification like Bush used 9/11. It almost reminds me of two sumo wrestlers, one being Congress and one being the White House. They are constantly pushing each other for more power, and have been for decades.

[Doogle]

It beats me why these morons want to spend all this time and trouble hammering Bush....

...because with the spotlight on both rat candidates it's a wash on who's the biggest liar

[StormEye]

"President Bush's refusal to let two confidants provide information to Congress about fired federal prosecutors represents the most expansive view of executive privilege since Watergate, the House Judiciary Committee told ..."

Since Watergate! Oh no, that's terrible.

(I was wondering when the DemonRATS would start blathering about "Watergate." In my opinion, the most overblown, meaningless, trumped-up non-scandal ever foisted on the American public by the politically corrupt Washington Post and New York Times liberals.)

[facedown]

[El Gato]

At least under either Bush, those “executive privileges” do not include sexual dalliance with the interns.