This will look very bad to the public. They must be in a lot of trouble to use this tactic.
This is beginning to sound like the Clinton era "protective prosecution" where the DOJ would investigate people to keep them from testifying to Congress. I say embarrass and burden the hell out of Lerner. Also, since the 5th amendment doesn't protect her from testifying against other people, ask her lots of questions about what other people in the IRS did or knew. She'll probably try to weasel out of answering because by knowing others acted illegally and not reporting it she may have also committed a crime, but at least make her squirm publicly.
Ali Ahmad, Communications Adviser for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, provided the following statement to Legal Insurrection:
The Committee has been contacted by Ms. Lerner’s lawyer who stated that his client intended to invoke her 5th amendment right and refuse to answer questions. Ms. Lerner remains under subpoena from Chairman Issa to appear at tomorrow’s hearing — the Committee has a Constitutional obligation to conduct oversight. Chairman Issa remains hopeful that she will ultimately decide to testify tomorrow about her knowledge of outrageous IRS targeting of Americans for their political beliefs.
One can plead the fith in a court of law and not be viewed as guilty.
However, the court of public opinion is a different matter by itself.
Pleading the fifth tomorrow by that hack Lerner is going to look very bad
on TV, the court of public opinion. Can’t wait to see it.
She can’t use the Hillary defense: “what difference does it make?” so she has no choice but to plead the 5th since the Obama tactic, “I don’t know” isn’t an option for her either.
That’s really good. She has no respect for the rule of law; the constitution though conveniently uses that to hide behind. This is like a bad movie that we are witnessing.
Anyone who needs to plead the Fifth regarding their conduct in public office needs to be removed from office, made subject of criminal investigation regarding whatever he/she won’t answer questions on, and forbidden to ever seek any other public office.
So they issue her immunity, and who will she give up? Probably no one.
Lerner: “On the advice of counsel, I refuse to answer on the grounds it may tend to incriminate me.”
Issa: “So you ARE engaged in the overthrow of the government.”
Lerner: “On the advice of counsel, I refuse to answer on the grounds it may tend to incriminate me.”
15 posted on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 8:15:01 PM by MasterGunner01