White House officials using RNC email accounts?
From Dan Froomkin:
One curious aspect of yesterday’s document dump is that it shows e-mails from J. Scott Jennings, who is Karl Rove’s deputy at the White House, coming from an e-mail address at gwb43.com — a domain owned by the Republican National Committee.
It makes some sense that White House officials might have and use such accounts when they conduct party business, rather than White House business. But the distinction between party and government business seems to have been forgotten here — which I guess is exactly the point.
Eggen and Kane write in The Post: “Democratic congressional aides said they will investigate whether using the private address for government business violated laws against using taxpayer resources for political work or signaled that White House officials considered the firing of U.S. attorneys to be primarily a political issue. Jennings did not return a call to his office seeking a comment.
“‘As a matter of course, the RNC provides server space and equipment to certain White House personnel in order to assist them with their political efforts,’ RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said.”
(HT: First Draft)
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59 Responses to “White House officials using RNC email accounts?”
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Excuse me, but how is “using a private email address” against the laws about using TAXPAYER resources?
March 14th, 2007 at 9:47 pmJake — if Rove’s deputy was using his White House office, computer, etc., to conduct political affairs, that’s potentially illegal.
– Nico
March 14th, 2007 at 9:53 pmJake it’ll be something really lame, like this, that will bring it all to a halt. It’s called karma.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:53 pmAlberto Gonzales’s own firing offenses go well beyond politically motivated sackings of U.S. attorneys. For more, see:
“The Top 10 Reasons Gonzales Must Go.”
For the latest news, hearings, legal filings and other essential documents on the Bush DOJ prosecutor firings, see:
March 14th, 2007 at 9:54 pm“The U.S. Attorney Scandal Documents.”
I thought the amount of scandals BEFORE Libby’s verdict were coming at lightning speed. But now post verdict, we already have a lawyer firing scandal, and an email scandal.
Was anyone getting a BJ in ANY of these scandals?
March 14th, 2007 at 9:57 pmJake stop whining here. Go home and cry in your cereal.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:57 pmDidn’t Al Gore get slapped for using his phone for “party business’?
March 14th, 2007 at 9:58 pmAren’t there laws concerning combining official, federal business with GOP concerns? That would be likened to the Democratic Party drafting measures for Congress to introduce, wouldn’t it? I do think this is where the downfall of this administration is going to happen. They are so very arrogant that they don’t even realize that they have overstepped thier bounds.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:00 pmJake, I got to hand it to you. There are not that many people that can shill for the most incompetent and corrupt American administration in our history and not hurl.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:01 pmtechnically,yes, he did… an inconvenient truth…
March 14th, 2007 at 10:02 pmOh, I agree if Rove’s deputy was using his White House office, computer, etc., to conduct strictly political affairs, that’s potentially illegal, but again how would “using a private email address†not on government property be against the laws about using TAXPAYER resources?
March 14th, 2007 at 10:04 pmThanks, joefriday.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:05 pm[…] Think Progress picked up on a Dan Froomkin column that questions the legality of White House officials using e-mail accounts registered to the Republican National Committee to conduct official ‘government business.’ However, that may just be ironic since critics believe that the firings were political decisions anyhow. One curious aspect of yesterday’s document dump is that it shows e-mails from J. Scott Jennings, who is Karl Rove’s deputy at the White House, coming from an e-mail address at gwb43.com — a domain owned by the Republican National Committee. […]
March 14th, 2007 at 10:06 pmEvery “master criminal” is caught…
…on a minor technicality or mistake…
…ask Al Capone…
March 14th, 2007 at 10:13 pmThe problem is if they used the political servers to avoid any future legal action.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:16 pmOnly to have someone too stupid to know this reveal them anyway.
big papa:
I thought Al Capone was deceased?
March 14th, 2007 at 10:16 pm“….and the walls came tumbling down” - This new scandal will become the Administration’s “Jericho”. Arguably, scandals far worse than this have been hurling at the public on a daily basis; however, when the “tipping point” on the scale is reached, all it takes is the most miniscule of impropriety to take it all down - with lightning speed. #3 (For Truth) you are “right on” here.
The people will not only call for Gonzo’s removal from office - it will be the “triumverate of abuse” - Gonzales, Cheney, and Bush as the “fickle finger of fate” reminds us all that truly, and in all things, the proverbial “buck stops at the top!”. It’s always been that way and always will be that way.
It’s time americans say “enough” and get the criminals out of office and hold them responsible for their high crimes and misdeeds.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:17 pm#13 - Big Papa: Doesn’t this administration make Al Capone and his gang look like nursery rhymes?
March 14th, 2007 at 10:17 pm“Oh, I agree if Rove’s deputy was using his White House office, computer, etc., to conduct strictly political affairs, that’s potentially illegal, but again how would “using a private email address†not on government property be against the laws about using TAXPAYER resources?
Comment by Jake — March 14, 2007 @ 10:04 pm”
It’s NATIONAL SECURITY!!!! Isn’t that what Bush claims anytime he is caught in a crime and he needs to prevent the information from getting out????
Get real Jake!!!! They were passing information off to the RNC, through the email, that deals with government buisness!!!! Even if it is a “PRIVATE” email, this is at the very least unethical, at the most illegal. Since you don’t seem to understand what many things mean, here is the definition of unethical: “An action or conduct which violates the principles of one or more ethical systems, or which is counter to an accepted ethical value, such as honesty.”
March 14th, 2007 at 10:18 pmAmbassador,… You’ve lost Another Submarine?
March 14th, 2007 at 10:21 pmSo, RemoveBush, you are saying even if J. Scott Jennings used a private e-mail address at home, on no TAXPAYER-owned equipment, he violated some law? If so, please cite said law.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:27 pmOnly the Repubs could consider enlisting the aide of a 75-year-old registered Independent. It would be amazing if true. Another lie in the long list, if it isn’t. Maybe this thread in particular rings true, for a variety of reasons. Savvy?
March 14th, 2007 at 10:28 pm“So, RemoveBush, you are saying even if J. Scott Jennings used a private e-mail address at home, on no TAXPAYER-owned equipment, he violated some law? If so, please cite said law.
Comment by Jake — March 14, 2007 @ 10:27 pm”
Neive Jake….. Where do you think they got those emails from??????
Most likely a GOVERNMENT COMPUTER!!!! Do you think that those emails were pulled from a “private” computer???? PLEEEAAASSSEEEE!!!!!
Keep trying to hold onto that desperate grasp of hope!!!!!
March 14th, 2007 at 10:32 pmOnly the Repubs could consider enlisting the aide of a 75-year-old registered Independent. It would be amazing if true. Another lie in the long list, if it isn’t. Maybe this thread in particular rings true, for a variety of reasons. Savvy?
Comment by R
Why me laugh?
March 14th, 2007 at 10:33 pm“They are so very arrogant that they don’t even realize that they have overstepped their bounds.”
R, I think you might have chosen the wrong word there. A few of them really are arrogant but I think a better description would be IGNORANT.
For those unfamiliar with the word IGNORANT, from dictionary.com:
ig·no·rant /ˈɪgnərənt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ig-ner-uhnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
March 14th, 2007 at 10:39 pm–adjective
1. lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned: an ignorant man.
2. lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact: ignorant of quantum physics.
3. uninformed; unaware.
4. due to or showing lack of knowledge or training: an ignorant statement.
They could also use the RNC accounts to hid email communications that they did not want anybody to find out about.
I bet they hid them from Fitz too. Maybe a smoking gun on the conspiracy to let Scooper (of shit) be the fall guy and wait for the pardon to Obstruct Justice.
I would looking at this very seriously and not as just an “OOPS!”
These guys are bold, in your face, not stupid, they are just incompetent. There is always a backups of backup, of backups when it comes to email. You just have to go digging for them.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:51 pmComment by veritas #17
veritas,
Compared to the TREASONOUS criminal Bushite junta…
…Al Capone’s gang AND La Cosa Nostra was/are…
…”The L’il Rascals”…
March 14th, 2007 at 10:55 pmAll Federal employees (and contractors) should remember that their Oath of Office (service) is to the Constitution and its defense, and not to any body in government be that the president, vice prisedent, or anybody else in the government.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:59 pmIsn’t the point that emails sent from RNC don’t have as much right to privacy as those sent from the White House and will be much easier to supoena.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:01 pmWhat fools.
Ah Yes, BLURRING THE BOUNDARIES, OBFUSCATION, PREVARICATION–ALL PART OF Rovian MACHIAVELLIAN MACHINATIONS AND DASTARDLY DOUBLE-DEALING–FROM NOW ON, I WILL USE THE repugnant-repub rightwingnut crank fudge-pachyderm TROLL and PUNDIT PENCHANT FOR BLAMING EVERYTHING ON Bill Clinton TO MY BLAMING EVERYTHING ON Karl FAT-F*CK Rove, THE DIFFERENCE BEING THAT Clinton IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING BLAMED ON HIM WHILE Rove IS GUILTY OF EVERYTHING THAT HE WILL BE BLAMED FOR BY ME, AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS YET TO COME TO LIGHT AND SCRUTINY–FOR THESE Rove IS TO BLAME AS WELL!!!!!
March 14th, 2007 at 11:02 pm#13 and #17
March 14th, 2007 at 11:02 pmThe Bush Crime Family “made their bones” by studying the Capone mob– its success and how it failed — and Bush&Co have perfected it. They have spent years getting all their men in place, patiently plotting for the day they would control the government.
Hey veritas,
Sooo,
Are they gonna subpoena “Spanky”…
…’err I mean Sampson…
…Gonzales’ ex…
…uhh Chief of Stag ‘er Staff?
hahahahaha!
…John Stewart just showed a picture of Kyle Sampson…
…that chubby, cheeky little basta*d looks like a grown up Spanky…
…from the “L’il Rascals”…
..no sh*t!
…and I just finished posting to veritas (on this thread)…
…about that same show…
…Karma…
…WOW!
March 14th, 2007 at 11:09 pm[…] McConnell, is now turning up with frequency in breaking news on the U.S. Attorneys scandal. See ThinkProgress and Dan Eggen and Paul Kane in The Washington Post for […]
March 14th, 2007 at 11:21 pmhttp://www.robtex.com/dns/gwb43.com.html
Just for grins =)
March 14th, 2007 at 11:27 pmHappy PIe Day!
How is the #32 link for grins? It’s incomprehensible. :P
March 14th, 2007 at 11:40 pmWhat you need to know.
All emails sent from White House systems (eop.gov) are blind archived to comply both with the Presidential Records Act (all records created by Presidential staff are mandated to be archived by NARA) and also blind archived for automated searches in response to subpoenas. Sending email through an outside domain would shoot those records outside of the mandated archives. (SO WE HAVE A WILLFULL POLICY TO OBSCURE PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS).
Rep. Dan Burton got his when the Clinton White House email system kept breaking down and didn’t archive. As a result, he felt that he didn’t get all the emails that might be a Monica “smoking gun.” Millions were spent to fix the system (which remains regardless of President) to make sure it never happened again. Karl Rove must have taken note. (SO THE ISSUE OF ARCHIVING EMAILS AND ACCEPTABLE EMAIL USE AT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN BROACHED BEFORE)
Finally, the government is not allowed to use private resources without paying for them. In other words, the RNC (or anyone else) cannot legally augment that White House’s operating budget by providing additional operating funds. The government has to make due with what Congress gives it. That’s the law, intended to prevent others from having sway over government business and activities.
This whole gwb43.com scenario says to me that the Bushies were trying to avoid ever having to disclose these communications. I can only wonder who the OTHER LUCKY HOLDERS OF GWB43.COM email accounts are, and what they use them for?
These “secret email accounts” are going to crack the White House open. They are what the tapes were to Nixon. Mark my words.
The only reason we learned about gwb43.com is because the DOJ and Congress dumped the records, and the President and all of his senior people were in South America as the boat sprung leaks. Karl wasn’t there to comb the clues out. GOTCHA!
March 14th, 2007 at 11:41 pm“‘As a matter of course, the RNC provides server space and equipment to certain White House personnel in order to assist them with their political efforts,’ RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said.â€
More like assist them to hide their takeover from the watchdogs.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:43 pmBig Papa - “Spanky & Our Gang Redux” ’tis! Ironic that John Stewart is “in synch” with us tonight. No such thing as coincidence when it comes to karmic connection.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:44 pmExcuse me, but how is “using a private email address†against the laws about using TAXPAYER resources?
Comment by Jake
Dude, they’re sitting in my frickin’ White House, using my frickin’ computers, and using the time I pay them to work to CONDUCT SLIMEY REPUBLICAN POLITICAL DEALINGS.
That pisses me off. Why doesn’t it piss YOU off?
March 14th, 2007 at 11:44 pmIsn’t this fun!!!!
March 14th, 2007 at 11:44 pmPITY THE FOOLS,
Holy shit. That is impressive. After all the crap this admin pulls, they’re going to be taken down by email. I f*cking love it. :-D
March 14th, 2007 at 11:47 pmIsn’t this fun!!!!
Comment by SKdeA
It’s fantastic!! I’m having a great time!
March 14th, 2007 at 11:48 pm#34 PTF
March 14th, 2007 at 11:50 pmIf that is true, and I understand you correctly, we may be in for a wild ride!
How is the #32 link for grins? It’s incomprehensible. :P
Comment by Zooey
Not really, I mean, to many it is, perhaps. I find it interesting =)
March 14th, 2007 at 11:51 pmHere’s the “Dan Burton’s panties in a wad” link to the Clinton e-mail story I thought illustrative of what the Bush White House has coming:
http://archives.cnn.com/ 2000/ ALLPOLITICS/ stories/ 05/ 03/ wh.email/ index.html
March 14th, 2007 at 11:53 pmNot really, I mean, to many it is, perhaps. I find it interesting =)
Comment by Happy PIe day!
Then it’s good for grins. :)
Damn, I’m so excited! I’ve been dancing around my office like an idiot.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:55 pmI found #32… enlightening! Fitnpretty.com? What the heck is GWB doing there?
It is ironic that these same folks who want to kill net neutrality… are gonna get killed by email.
YAY!
March 14th, 2007 at 11:56 pmI found #32… enlightening! Fitnpretty.com? What the heck is GWB doing there?
Heh. =)
March 14th, 2007 at 11:59 pmPitty the Fools,
Great explanation and to the details of the system. My former boss worked on that system in 2000 to recover forensic evidence of the email system of those lost email of the White House.
Well done indeed.
March 15th, 2007 at 12:04 amHow is this surprising to anyone when the prime political operative of the BushChaney cabal, KKKRove has been running nothing but a political operation in the White House for 6 years and getting paid by taxpayers for it simply because Bush gave him a post and title as “assistant to the president” or something similar. He is the most blatant and extreme political mafioso in the history of the modern presidency. He must be hanged after being waterboarded for being a fascist ring leader and a traitor to the Republic. First cut off his balls.
March 15th, 2007 at 12:23 am#32 WinningWomen????
March 15th, 2007 at 12:32 amWow.
Where’s GannonGuckert.com on the list??
March 15th, 2007 at 12:35 amHmmm. Just thinking if I should try to play a round on WinningWomen.com. Could I win one?
March 15th, 2007 at 12:36 amHmmm. Just thinking if I should try to play a round on WinningWomen.com. Could I win one?
Comment by RUCerious
You’d probably win a scary Bachmann Model 2007. *shudder*
March 15th, 2007 at 12:50 amFrom Froomkin’s article yesterday: “The communications were discovered Thursday (3/8/07) when Mr. Sampson turned over the material to officials who were assembling documents…â€
Oops. They confiscated his computer before he had a chance to erase anything. Does everybody have their popcorn?? I believe the shows about to start.
March 15th, 2007 at 1:14 amOops. They confiscated his computer before he had a chance to erase anything. Does everybody have their popcorn?? I believe the shows about to start.
Comment by Roket
Even if he erased the drive, they can still recover any data thatwas on the drive. Thats why we sent hard drives through a chipper in the military.
I own a copy of recovery software that can recover from even a blown Fat Table or a format and reinstall.
March 15th, 2007 at 2:09 amAll emails on the Internet exist in a cache file, so release the transcripts of WH emails to the press and expose the Bush Regime lies to the entire world.
March 15th, 2007 at 4:10 amWhat’s next?
“GWzBoy@hotmail.com”
“TrdBlsmrules@nationalreview.com”
“eatownass@aol.com”
March 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pmLet’s not lose site of the main important point. This is not about doing political work during your government time. It’s about the politicization of the US Attorney corps. The only way to justify Jennings’ use of the RNC email acct is that it was used for “political efforts.” And this forces the obvious conclusion that the Miers/Sampson/Jennings correspondence about which USAs to fire, how, and when, was a “political effort.”
This may be obvious to most of us, but we’ve now got them on record saying it.
March 15th, 2007 at 4:54 pm