Bush to Invoke Executive Privilege

AP ^ | Sept 5, 2001 | John Solomon

[Lanman]

``While I have a great deal of respect for the attorney general, he has announced a new policy that broadens executive privilege,'' Burton said. ``If this unprecedented policy is permitted to stand, Congress will not be able to exercise meaningful oversight of the executive branch.''

That says it all.

[anniegetyourgun]

Most recently in the 1990s such documents were turned over to the Whitewater, fund-raising, pardons and impeachment investigations.

Not without massive redaction, stonewalling, and in some cases - not at all.

[prognostigaator]

"Podesta said. ``It appears to me that every administration has to learn that the hard way.''

Problem is, Mr. Podesta, you made it too easy for Bill Clinton.

[DoughtyOne]

What's this, another instance of Bush doing exactly what Gore would have? Hmmm, weren't there some people around last year saying Bush would never do things the same as Gore?

[Republican Wildcat]

what is this, the first or second time out of a hundred? I can see your point. They are obviously identical.

[mattflogel.com]

Now comes all of the Bush apologists who have been apologizing about stem cells and increased education wasting(funding) with no parental choice. I can hear the same group again making excuses.

[Aerial]

The claim would be the latest in a string of efforts by the new administration to restrain the flow of information to Congress about private deliberations.
Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) has rebuffed requests by the General Accounting Office (news - web sites) and a Democratic congressman to divulge information about people he met with and how he helped develop Bush's energy policy.

If this was still Clinton doing this Bush lovers would be outraged.

Business as usual.

[sinkspur]

Waxman and Burton leaked every document turned over by the Clinton administration. I've got no love for the Clinton administration, but, depending on whose purposes were served, nothing given to Congress wasn't blared to the press within five minutes.

If these two bozos would treat private, confidential deliberations by prosecutors as they should be treated, there'd be no issue.

[Willie Green]

They are obviously identical.

Nah. Dubya hasn't started to grow a scraggly beard... yet.

Give him time.

[Patrick]

They all do it. Lets move on.The names and faces change but the agenda basically remains constant.

[JohnGalt]

Watermelon Dan couldn't touch Clinton now he's causing trouble for his own party?

[oust the louse]

Unfortunately,I couldn't agree with you more.No need to bring up the past....the past is irretrievable....W does not want the crap to hit the fans.

[Hugh Akston]

I was just wondering.

Where in the Constitution does it vest in Congress the responsibility and authority to provide oversight of the President's activity or over the executive branch in general?

[sinkspur]

Why, we might be tempted to believe that these prosecutors actually work for US? Please, keep us subjects in the dark!

You don't have access to the deliberations of your local DA, who also works for you, do you?

Wanna try to get access to them?

Good luck.

[Lanman]

Bush would never do things the same as Gore?

I seem to remember that too.

[gjenkins]

"W does not want the crap to hit the fans."

That would only create distrust and impede the important work gubmint has to do.

[Alamo-Girl]

Some of the Privilege Claims under the Clinton Administration:

1993 - to block an inspection of Vince Foster's files after his suicide
1994 - to block turning over documents from its ethics review regarding Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy
1995 - to block lawyer's notes from conversations with Hillary Clinton
1996 - to block turning over documents relating to arms shipments from Iran to Bosnia
1996 - to block turning over a memo by FBI Director Louis Freeh criticizing the drug policy
1996 - to block turning over documents subpoenaed concerning Haiti police violence
1996 - to block turning over Travel Office documents
1997 - to block turning over campaign finance related records
1997 - to block testimony of Bruce Lindsey concerning James Riady - campaign finance
1997 - to block turning over documents pertaining to cancellation of an Indian casino
1998 - to block testimony of Paul Begala - filegate
1998 - to block grand jury testimony of Bruce Lindsey and Sidney Blumenthal - Lewinsky
1998 - to block grand jury testimony of Bruce Lindsey ("attorney client") - Lewinsky
1998 - to block Secret Service testimony - Lewinsky (new privilege, "protective function") - Lewinksy
1998 - to block answers to 2 questions Hillary Clinton ("spousal privilege") - Whitewater RDMHQ Funding Document
Secret 3rd privilege claim.
(see Count 11 of the Starr impeachment report)
1999 – to prevent testimony of Lenzner concerning Tripp
1999 – to block testimony by NSA concerning Echelon (attorney/client privilege)
1999 – to block white house aides testimony and documents re clemency of 16 Puerto Rican prisoners
1999 – to withold one document from Federal Judge Walter Smith re Waco
1999 – to prevent tesimony of Larry Potts re Judicial Watch lawsuit (attorney/client and work product)
2000 – to prevent testimony of Leslie Gail Kennedy (ex of William Kennedy) – re FBI Files
2000 – to block in litigation concerning Kathleen Willey (release of her letters) – Privacy Act
2000 – to block tesimony concening emails hidden from congress
2000 – to block Hillary testimony (spousal privilege) re Kathleen Willey
2000 – to block tesimony of Earl Silbert (attorney/client privilege) re emails