Emails released today show that Karl Rove’s deputy Scott Jennings was involved in the effort to purge Arkansas U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins in favor of Rove “protege” Tim Griffin, despite claims from the Justice Department to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) last month that Rove had “no role” in Griffin’s appointment.
“Tim said he got a call from Bud offering this idea,” Jennings wrote to Alberto Gonzales’ chief of staff Kyle Sampson in late August, “that Tim come on board as a special [assistant U.S. attorney] while Bud finalizes his private sector plans. That would alleviate pressure/implication that Tim forced Bud out. Any thoughts on that?”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Sampson responded.
The Justice Department made Griffin a special assistant USA in Arkansas the next month. Finally, in December, Griffin was made the U.S. attorney.
huh, imagine that….
March 13th, 2007 at 7:24 pm… Turdblossom. Calling Turdblossom to the witness stand…
March 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pmCan we get these criminals under oath claiming they had no role so we can throw them in the slammer where they belong or SOMETHING??
March 13th, 2007 at 7:32 pmFor more on the White House connection and all the latest news, hearings, legal filings and other essential documents on the Bush DOJ prosecutor firings, see:
March 13th, 2007 at 7:33 pm“The U.S. Attorney Scandal Documents.”
Erm. That suggests that “Bud” was in on the whole deal, which doesn’t speak well for his ethics. Or maybe he just had to play nice so his future with the Repubs wasn’t completely scuppered.
March 13th, 2007 at 7:34 pmRove: That wasn’t me. I had nothing to do with it. My deputy acted on his own.
**gag**
Give me a list, I’ll do the subpoenas myself.
March 13th, 2007 at 7:37 pmI know a Judge who’ll sign ‘em, and a dude who’ll serve ‘em.
The crazy thing about all these US Attorneys purged are Bush appointments, aren’t they? I know Bud Cummins was (2001).
March 13th, 2007 at 7:37 pmRove had no more role than Carter did in firing US Attorney David Marston, who was investigating allegations of kickbacks at the Hahneman Hospital in Philadelphia against Democratic Representatives Joshua Eilberg and Daniel Flood.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,912155,00.html?promoid=googlep
March 13th, 2007 at 7:38 pmTP should be digging into the gwb43.com servers that Scott Jennings email address and email is goign through. This is an RNC registered domain, NOT .gov white house domains which are captured as government documents. We have Scott Jennings emailing outside of presidential record capturing which is legally a BIG no-no after Nixon.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:05 pmGotta get a photo of Jennings up. He is Rove’s lost twin, another poof.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:11 pmJake: You’re defending the “honor” of a shit like Rove with a reference to a 1978 incident? How many more of these scandals can this White House stand? The US Atty mess is bigger than just Gonzales and he will be gone sooner than later. These idiots are destryoing the Republican Party and you reference a 1978 article to defend them? What a sad song.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:15 pmOne lie after another exposed.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:17 pmOne scandal after another exposed.
How many of these can the administration stand before it implodes?
How many can Fox-TV manage to propagandize for them?
How many spokesmen can they parade before the cameras to lie and admit “mistakes” with the promise to “improve?”
Nothing improves – we simply learn more of their lies that had been covered.
They all work for us guys — we should fire them all!!
SO we have Rove’s Deputy and Gonzo’s Deputy involved. Does anyone here think that their bosses knew anything about this?
To paraphrase Shumer. If they knew they are guilty. If they didn’t know they are negligent. Neither option is acceptable and they should resign.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:22 pm#8
Jake,
As was said before. If Carter did it it was wrong. That does not excuse anyone from doing it now. Wrong then…wrong now.
Nixon ordered the firing of US attorney Cox and after firing two Attorney Generals Cox was fired. Funny thing is Cox was investigating Nixon.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:28 pmWho cares? This is a total non-issue. The Constituion does not apply to the president or his administration in a time of war.
Would you prefer the Muslim flag flying in DC and Arabic being spoken in New York?
March 13th, 2007 at 8:32 pmWould you prefer the Muslim flag flying in DC and Arabic being spoken in New York?
Comment by firehead
I think there’s a few Muslim flags flying in DC at a few embassiess. But I’ll have a buddy check on that. Also on the corner of Broadway and Reade there is a guy that sells falafels and speaks Arabic. I think he’s the only one but I’ll check on that one too. I’ll report back to you tommorrow. Go Team Paranoid!!
March 13th, 2007 at 8:37 pmThe Constituion does not apply to the president or his administration in a time of war.
Comment by firehead
Gotta link?
March 13th, 2007 at 8:37 pmWell, at least the doltish firehead has stopped referring to it as the “Cresant” flag.
Perhaps trolls do have rudimentary learning abilities. ^_^
March 13th, 2007 at 8:45 pmLooks like a smoking gun, so time for Congress to remove Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales too.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:45 pmI think the muslim crescent doesnt have to fly over the White HOuse nor Arabic spoken in the streets of D.C. for me to conclude that THEY have won. WE have surrendered our country to a group of fascist authoritarian theocrats who have no respect for the Constitution or the Republic. The BushChaney cabal have been worse than any damage caused by the crazies who blew up a couple of buildings in N.Y. in 2001
March 13th, 2007 at 8:49 pmThe BushChaney cabal have been worse than any damage caused by the crazies who blew up a couple of buildings in N.Y. in 2001
Comment by angryvietnamvet
Well said, AVVV.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:54 pmTHAT’S A GODDAMNED, F*ING LIE!
March 13th, 2007 at 8:56 pmWhy should Rove be fired over this? Can someone tell me the crime that was commited here? Does the President not have the power to appoint and remove federal prosecuters for whatever reason?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:01 pmComment by firehead — March 13, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
Oh. Right. All any President has to do is start a war and he can be dictator for life. I’m surprised it took someone 200 years to figure that out.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:16 pmFirehead: “the constitution doesn’t apply to the president in a time of war”….huh?? Can you please point out the Article in the Constitution that cancels it “in a time of war” . That you believe such idiocy is regrettable. That the President and Vice President seem to share your view and act accordingly, is a crime and basis for their removal from office. ….Not even during the last Constitutional, declared war (WWII) did Franklin D. Roosevelt claim such extraconstitutional power (although sending Japanese Americans to concentration camps was grossly illegal and unforgivable).
Go put on your brownshirt and goose step around your basement now.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:17 pmComment by mandolin — March 13, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Not if it’s an illegal reason. And, from the looks of it, these firings may constitute obstruction of justice. How about it, mandolin, are you up for a full investigation?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:18 pmYes mandolin we know you think it is OK for Bush to remove prosecuters for picking their noses in public, but actually presidents are supposed to have valid reasons to do this and not for politics only.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:19 pmGotta link?
Comment by Zooey — March 13, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
It would be to Mein Kampf.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:19 pmWhere are the Think Regress Rejects trying to go with this? Clinton fired all federal prosecuters when he took office. Did Clinton do this for reasons other thatn political ones? Were they all unqualified? It doesn’t matter if prosecuters are appointed for political reasons because this is politics.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:20 pmThis is a poor attempt even for Nico and Faiz to try and have Rove fired. Maybe Nico should write an article claimimg that Rove’s Grandfather had connections to the Nazi party. Or has he already done something like that before?
mandolin there are tons of reasons to remove Karl Rove, from DC, so if this is not of importance then how about for Rove giving dirt to the press on Valerie Plame-Wilson and then lying that he did it?!
March 13th, 2007 at 9:25 pmWhere are the Think Regress Rejects trying to go with this?
— mandolin
Read the link in the story above and then rephrase your questions, dum bass
You do read, don’t you?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:28 pmFirst, Firehead should probally stop talking about the Constitution because he apperently knows very little about.
And, from the looks of it, these firings may constitute obstruction of justice. How about it, mandolin, are you up for a full investigation?
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — March 13, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
How would that constitute obstruction of justice? As for the investigation, the last “full investigation” showed that they were investigated for nothing. It did however give the administration a lot of bad press and I would suspect that is most likely the reason you want an investigation.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:28 pmIt would be to Mein Kampf.
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
Well, I don’t have time to read that.
Sorry, fireant.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:29 pmWhy should Rove be fired over this? Can someone tell me the crime that was commited here?
Comment by mandolin — March 13, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Whoa, buddy, not so fast. It was just a few days ago that you were mocking anyone and everyone here who would dare suggest that Karl Rove had the slightest role in attorney-gate. Just because your face is covered in egg doesn’t mean we are going to let you change the subject. You were wrong, wrong, wrong.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:29 pmThe inane ‘Clinton did it too’ defense
The argument is premised on a mistaken understanding of how the process works. When a president takes office, he or she nominates federal prosecutors at the beginning of the first term. Under normal circumstances, these U.S. Attorneys serve until the next president is sworn in.
In 1993, Clinton replaced H.W. Bush’s prosecutors. In 2001, Bush replaced Clinton’s prosecutors. None of this is remotely unusual. Indeed, it’s how the process is designed.
The difference with the current scandal is overwhelming. Bush replaced eight specific prosecutors, apparently for purely political reasons. This is entirely unprecedented. For conservatives to argue, as many are now, that Clinton’s routine replacements for H.W. Bush’s USAs is any way similar is the height of intellectual dishonesty. They know better, but hope their audience is too uninformed to know the difference
March 13th, 2007 at 9:30 pmThis is a poor attempt even for Nico and Faiz to try and have Rove fired. Maybe Nico should write an article claimimg that Rove’s Grandfather had connections to the Nazi party. Or has he already done something like that before?
Comment by mandolin
Wow. I didn’t know Nico & Faiz were so damned powerful.
Mandolin, I’m sure that if the tables were turned, Rove would defend you as mightily as you defend him. Not.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:30 pmI did read it Wayne. Did you? Where’s the crime?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:31 pmClinton fired all federal prosecuters when he took office.
Comment by mandolin — March 13, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
Just how many more freaking times are the dimwitted trolls going to trot out this lame talking point.
Sheesh.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:31 pmThe inane ‘Clinton did it too’ defense
As the prosecutor purge scandal continues to become more serious and more damaging for the Bush gang, the right has struggled to come up with a coherent defense. They seem to have embraced one, but it’s surprisingly weak.
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/10193.html
March 13th, 2007 at 9:33 pmIt is very difficult to understand how anyone could defend the slimy, thuggish actions of Karl Rove. Not decent people, anyway.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:33 pmHas anyone pointed out a crime yet?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:33 pmThe Constituion does not apply to the president or his administration in a time of war.
Comment by firehead
not only are you a pant-pissing coward, you are also vey stupid.
No one is above the law. Bush will find that out sooner or later.
But you will always be stupid.
Exaltado es un cobarde.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:34 pmYes mandolin we know you think it is OK for Bush to remove prosecuters for picking their noses in public, but actually presidents are supposed to have valid reasons to do this and not for politics only.
Comment by Jay Randal — March 13, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Okay Jason Randal tell me why Clinton removed all federal prosecuters when he took office. I’m sure they were al “valid” reasons.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:36 pmHas anyone pointed out a crime yet?
Comment by mandolin — March 13, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Have you come up with an explanation for why you were so WRONG, dimwit?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:37 pmI did read it Wayne. Did you? Where’s the crime?
Comment by mandolin
read it again, s…l…o..w…l…y this time.
have trouble with reading comprehension much?
I am sick of explaining the same things over and over to you moronic trolls.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:37 pmOkay Jason Randal tell me why Clinton removed all federal prosecuters when he took office. I’m sure they were al “valid†reasons.
Comment by mandolin — March 13, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Pathetic. Pathetic. Pathetic.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:38 pmHow many times have I read the information mandolin-the-idiot is asking for on ThinkProgress? Only about 1,000 times.
Go find it for yourself mandolin — of course you won’t, because you’re not really interested in the answer.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:42 pmEverything still gets blamed on Bill Clinton, or Bill did it too, so therefore Bush baby is supposed to be exonerated of all crimes or infractions? When is George W. Bush going to take responsibility for his 6 years in the presidency?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:44 pmWhen is George W. Bush going to take responsibility for his 6 years in the presidency?
Comment by Jay Randal
Don’t hold your breath, cuz you’ll pass out and bump your head.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:50 pmWill Dubya Dunce Decider Despot Dictator Dummy take responsibility for his failed criminal presidency 10 years from now, or 20 years from now, or never?
March 13th, 2007 at 9:53 pmBush baby uses Bill Clinton as a cover for everything. For example Bill got caught getting BJs from Monica, so Dubya hires a male hooker Jeff Gannon to give him BJs, so the press ignores the Gannon sexcapade.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:58 pmthis pic says it all:
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/03/13/craptastic/
March 13th, 2007 at 10:10 pmA fitting end to the Republican Revolution.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:16 pmGo find it for yourself mandolin — zooey
He may read, but it is comprehension he has trouble with.
Every talking point he spouted has already been debunked in an earlier thread today. It gets old….
March 13th, 2007 at 10:16 pmmandolin? here?… where?…
March 13th, 2007 at 10:30 pmHas anyone pointed out a crime yet?
Comment by mandolin — March 13, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
I did. You ignored it. If these firings were intended to derail investigations, then there is a serious question of obstruction of justice. That’s what got Nixon in trouble, and one of the charges of which Scooter Libby was convicted.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:37 pm#52 – That’s a great picture. :D
March 13th, 2007 at 10:45 pmI’ve had house pets with more sense than some of these Bush supporters. I think they say they don’t understand just to drive the rest of us crazy. Personally, I wouldn’t waste my time. They’re not worth it any more than the stupid administration they are so quick to defend. It’s like the turds are guarding the outhouse.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:46 pmI’ve never been to Washington but if Rove has to testify it will be worth a celebratory trip.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:05 pmI did. You ignored it. If these firings were intended to derail investigations, then there is a serious question of obstruction of justice. That’s what got Nixon in trouble, and one of the charges of which Scooter Libby was convicted.
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
Add attempting to interfere with a Grand Jury, Senators implicated as well and who knows what else will pop up.
They just started investigating this.
Investigations and oversight is making the White House ( of Cards ) begin to crumble. I am glad to see it.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:17 pmIf one more troll says Clinton did it first I’m going to go POSTAL!
Firehead and mandolin also use the logic that they’re daddy’s f##ked the sheep so its okay for me to do it too. I don’t know how they caught mad cow though.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:22 pmI don’t know how they caught mad cow though.
Comment by Shane
LOL
March 13th, 2007 at 11:31 pmI think mandolin has skedaddled.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:38 pmI think mandolin has skedaddled.
Comment by VerbalKint
Someone turned on the light….
March 13th, 2007 at 11:40 pmKarl Miss Piggy Rove Danced a LIVELY JIG
March 14th, 2007 at 12:36 amSo very SPRY for a LOATHESOME FAT PIG!!!!!
But his machinations so INCREDIBLY VILE
As SIN upon SIN did upon him PILE
And he ended up IN HIS OWN GRAVE THAT HE DID DIG!!!!!
[...] formerly served as one of his opposition researchers, to replace the US Attorney in Arkansas, but that assurance turns out to be false, along with just about every word Gonzales has uttered about this mess.  Bush will do everything [...]
March 15th, 2007 at 11:50 amWithout independent US Attorneys this country is in for some bad years. Whatever party or persuassion you should care that this is fixed.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:49 pmWhat about backups? If, like a normal operation, they kept daily/weekly/monthly backups of their mail servers, the mails should exist on tape/DVD, unless Rove and company routinely deleted all mails before the end of the day.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:48 pm