Think Progress

Special counsel needed for U.S. Attorney probe?

Sens. Patrick Leahy and Sheldon Whitehouse sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales today asking “whether a special counsel is necessary” to handle discussions between Capitol Hill and the Justice Department about White House liason Monica Goodling’s role in the firing of eight U.S Attorneys. Leahy and Whitehouse write that “the office of the Attorney General appears to be hopelessly conflicted” regarding Goodling. TPMmuckraker has more.



73 Responses to “Special counsel needed for U.S. Attorney probe?”

  1. Patrick1 says:

    It is off the front page with Pelosi’s ass kissing of fascists and Al Qaeda taking a pounding so Leaky Leahy is desperate to try to keep this thing alive. Bad news for terror means the left must look elsewhere to keep their dying hopes in 2008 alive.



  2. unbelievable says:

    When it first came out that Bush was illegally wire-tapping US citizens, the neocons cried “If you have nothing to hide, then why are you so resistent to comply?”

    Monica Goodling – “If you have nothing to hide, then why are you so resistent to comply?”


  3. unbelievable says:

    I’m sure Bill Clinton is happy that the name Monica will no longer be synonymous with just his antics… :D


  4. rfinca says:

    Patrick1 is funny!


  5. Patrick1 says:

    Bush has never illegally wired tapped U.S. citizens. I don’t count Dick Turban.


  6. unbelievable says:

    Bad news for terror means the left must look elsewhere to keep their dying hopes in 2008 alive.
    Comment by Patrick1 — April 3, 2007 @ 6:12 pm

    Did you miss the front page news about Clinton and Edwards breaking the record for campaign contributions? People are practically throwing money at them for the 2008 race… Including Real Conservatives.


  7. Laura Bush says:

    Patrick’s #1 whine…”but…but…but Clinton and Pelosi!”


  8. unbelievable says:

    Bush has never illegally wired tapped U.S. citizens. I don’t count Dick Turban.
    Comment by Patrick1 — April 3, 2007 @ 6:17 pm

    Yes he has. It’s why we were so upset about it. And it’s why Congress pressured him to stop, so that he tried to get Abu to revise the law to allow him do it…


  9. VerbalKint says:

    Scared, Patrick?


  10. Angry One says:

    For the latest news, email archives, hearings, legal filings and other essential documents on the Bush DOJ prosecutor firings, see:
    “The U.S. Attorney Scandal Documents.”


  11. Raven says:

    Monica Too must be the walking equivalent of Dick Nixon’s tape recorder………….


  12. Raven says:

    Patrick1 needs ’special counsel’


  13. JesusChrist_GodofWAR says:

    Special counsel needed for U.S. Attorney probe?

    So what will they use to probe Gitmo Abu Gonzo? The Bright Metal HooBaJoob? Or something else? … and shouldn’t a doctor be the one to operate that special counsel probe?


  14. s says:

    Patrick1, as I’ve said many times, has no life. Hangs around TP because he loves to be “different.” Unfortunately he’s just like every other wacko loon neocon…just less articulate…if that’s possible.


  15. WaltTheMan says:

    #15 – s,
    There is always jake. He has the vocabulary of a three year old and the intellect of a radish.


  16. partick1's anus says:

    How is it that patrick1’s always quick to post? I believe he’s a masochist. He knows he’s going to get a beating from his shtick.


  17. Raven says:

    Coach: I think we’d better let someone else be first, someone who’s good enough to hit the ball without striking out…
    Patrick1: I don’t care! I wanna be first!


  18. Zooey says:

    My first thought — Why the hell are they asking Gonzo!?

    A mere formality, I’m sure….


  19. SKdeA says:

  20. s says:

    Patrick1 is first because he wants to lay down his scent….put his marker on almost every post in order to set the tone. He thinks he owns the post this way. He either has no life and has learned he can feed here, is paid ( his employers should really check his work…sub standard), or he is just plain stupid. Either way, he wastes a lot of people’s time. We’re moving past the troll era…they just don’t pack the punch they used to. They just clutter things up. We need to get our country back and that means talking seriously with serious folks. The Patrick1s are passive agressive, disturbed children. Just like our present criminal “leaders.” I would just love to read an entire post where people just stepped around the little piles of troll shit and they were treated as invisible. It would be so nice. But people just seem to keep stepping in it.
    Other “piles”
    Jake
    Exley
    Jason Hendler
    jonny
    I’m sure you can name the rest


  21. shane says:

    Coach: I think we’d better let someone else be first, someone who’s good enough to hit the ball without striking out…
    Patrick1: I don’t care! I wanna be first!

    Comment by Raven — April 3, 2007 @ 6:55 pm

    Excellent assessment. And P1 is so “Little League” it all makes sense.


  22. shane says:

    Where have you been today Zooey the trolls have been totally out of control.

    Thank goodness you’re back!


  23. s says:

    Zooey #19

    They aren’t really asking Gonzo. They are “asking” him….if you get my drift. They are communicating that they know there is a conflict of interest and giving Gonzo a chance to stick his foot in it further ….challenging him to respond to that fact. IMO


  24. Raven says:

    It sounds like they are giving him one last chance, by the courtesy of writing a letter directly, and asking his opinion.
    If he chooses to blow them off one more time (again), it’s all over for Alberto.


  25. bob (not the hacker) says:

    Bush has never illegally wired tapped U.S. citizens. I don’t count Dick Turban.

    Comment by Patrick1

    I’m stunned that pattycakes can count at all. I bet he has to unzip his pants if he needs to count to 21…


  26. Bluedog49 says:

    I believe that only the Attorney General can appoint a Special Counsel since the law was allowed to expire. Does anyone here know if that is correct?


  27. dixie blood says:

    Can we just skip the Spec. Pros. and go straight to the impeachment hearings? We’ll get all the evidence we need there and save a boat load of money on another useless Repugniscum SP like Fitzgerald.


  28. dixie blood says:

    I’m stunned that pattycakes can count at all. I bet he has to unzip his pants if he needs to count to 21…

    Comment by bob (not the hacker) — April 3, 2007 @ 7:18 pm

    Actually that happens at 11…he needs serious help removing his shoes, so, 21 is really out of “reach.”


  29. Troll Patrol says:

    Patrick1 is first because he wants to lay down his scent….put his marker on almost every post in order to set the tone. He thinks he owns the post this way.
    Comment @ 7:08 pm

    Actually, from all the responses he has received, it’s as if he has been GIVEN the thread.

    I’ll never understand this. It may be a bit of fun to play with the trolls, but it is most tedious to read through all the irrelevant trash.


  30. Joefriday says:

    Bad news for terror means the left must look elsewhere to keep their dying hopes in 2008 alive.

    Comment by Patrick1 — April 3, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
    patrick, read that (almost a sentence) a few times. You are about as dumb a troll that has ever posted here. My guess is that you are a complete loser without any hope of a happy life. You deserve that.


  31. Ben Dover says:

    But she’s a good “christian” girl. She went to Pat Robertson’s college. How could she possibly have become an obstruction to this investigation???? I know…she never had sex with that President, Mr Clinton. Thats whats confusing her.


  32. Ben Dover says:

    Zooey…They have to ask Gitmo Al …its his department that sets up the Special Counsels. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house, huh?? Crooked bastards.


  33. Zooey says:

    Thanks Ben Dover & S,

    There must be some special recourse in this case, don’t you think? We simply cannot be at the mercy of Abu G’s department, if we’re trying to investigate the actions in that deprtment.


  34. veritas says:

    Bush lied again today about the Joint Chiefs wanting the surge; he’s been lying since day one of his presidency. IMPEACHMENT is the only response for a president who is a known liar!


  35. Laura Bush says:

    Gonzales, please stop making an ass of yourself and holding up America’s justice department to ridicule. Put America first for once. Resign already!


  36. veritas says:

    Since the DOJ is the department being investigated and one of it’s own is obstructing justice, then it would behoove Congress to seek remedy elsewhere. There’s something inherently wrong with this picture….asking the very ones being investigated to help with their own investigation. What the hell??


  37. Lola says:

    I’m stunned that pattycakes can count at all. I bet he has to unzip his pants if he needs to count to 21…

    Comment by bob (not the hacker)

    Then it would just be 21½.


  38. shane says:

    I’m stunned that pattycakes can count at all. I bet he has to unzip his pants if he needs to count to 21…

    Comment by bob (not the hacker) — April 3, 2007 @ 7:18 pm

    Sorry but I think that’s only 20.5, poor little peadick1.


  39. big papa says:

    We need…

    …REGIME CHANGE….


  40. Raymond Funamoto says:

    NOT “Hopelessly conflicted,” DESPERATELY TRYING TO KEEP INCRIMINATING TESTIMONY WHICH CAN BRING Bushland Uber Allies CRASHING DOWN AROUND THEIR OWN HEADS FROM BEING BROUGHT OUT INTO THE OPEN SOUNDS MORE LIKE IT—HUGE CRUSHING FALLING OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORN-NUTS GROW, AND LITTLE LEAKS CAN BECOME TORRENT-FLOODS THAT CAN SINK SHIT-SHIPS OF STATE OR WASH AWAY ADMINISTRATIONS IN A DELUGE OF REVEALED WRONGDOINGS!!!!! HAH!


  41. big papa says:

    In a Constitutional divorce…

    …between the Executive and Legislative Branches…

    …who gets custody of the military?


  42. Briseadh_na_faire says:

    Be careful of what you ask for. Gonzales just might pick Tim Griffin, the new U.S. attorney in Arkansas to be the ’special’ prosecutor:

    A quick perusal of Griffin’s resume shows that his more-or-less exclusive vocation has been doing opposition research on Democrats on behalf of the Republican Party. Until recently, he was head of oppo[sition] research at the White House, working directly for Karl Rove. In 1999 and 2000, he was deputy research director for the Republican National Committee. In 2002 he returned as research director for the national GOP and stayed on for the next three years.


  43. Zooey says:

    Briseadh na Faire,

    Is there a way around Abu G’s office to get a Special Prosecutor appointed?


  44. bob (not the hacker) says:

    what is involved in getting these guys tried in the Hague?


  45. big papa says:

    Germany is supposedly attempting to have charges brought against…

    …Rumsfeld…

    …perhaps if they’re successful it might inspire others…


  46. Briseadh_na_faire says:

    Is there a way around Abu G’s office to get a Special Prosecutor appointed?

    Comment by Zooey — April 3, 2007 @ 8:24 pm

    IMPEACHMENT


  47. Zooey says:

    IMPEACHMENT
    Comment by Briseadh_na_faire

    Thanks. Silly me… :D


  48. bob (not the hacker) says:

    Can citizens of a country bring charges against the leaders of their own country in the hague? Or do the charges have to come from outside?


  49. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    #

    It is off the front page with Pelosi’s ass kissing of fascists and Al Qaeda taking a pounding so Leaky Leahy is desperate to try to keep this thing alive. Bad news for terror means the left must look elsewhere to keep their dying hopes in 2008 alive.

    Comment by Patrick1 — April 3, 2007 @ 6:12 pm

    Jeez, Patrick1. Could you be any more obvious you are a paid RNC plant? First on almost every string? You just sit around and wait to pounce like a spider? My advice to you: you can’t take it ($$$) with you, and the (spiritual) treasure you lay up on earth (while you are in that state) is the only thing you will take with you. Time to evolve, my friend.


  50. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    There must be some special recourse in this case, don’t you think? We simply cannot be at the mercy of Abu G’s department, if we’re trying to investigate the actions in that deprtment.

    Comment by Zooey — April 3, 2007 @ 7:54 pm

    Precisely what this administration wanted to set up. Including the Supremes. This is a dictatorship, disguised as happening under a democratic process. Same thing happened in Germany in the 30’s. Our only hope now is the Congress. If they fail, we are looking at some very bad choices. Civil war, maybe revolution. Keep your eye on Blackwater and the other privitized military. Let’s hope that sanity takes hold, and that Republicans in the Congress start waking up (pushed by their constitutents).


  51. freeman says:

    Well , I just fell apart at a town meeting with doc Hastings , who when asked about habeas corpus rights told the audience that there was never any law passed that gives the executive the right to waive this constitutionally guaranteed right for an American citizen.
    He began to explain to the audience that Habeas corpus is a right unique to America .Has doc ever been to another country ? Does he believe people are arrested with out charges in most other countries other than the United States ?
    A this point I spoke like an angry idiot and said that was untrue and apparently I knew more of whats going on in the American government than he does .
    I asked what his thoughts were on Black water ,a mercenary army based in Virginia receiving billions of dollars in contracts and being represented by Kenneth Star and the presidents general counsel Fred Fielding ,or about the government spying on 100’s of 1000’s of its own citizens and perhaps he could also say a few words on the legal arguments for torture ?
    Mr Hasting , our man on the senate ethics committee replied that we must respectfully disagree .I replied that I was amazed that there was not more outrage present and that the federal government seems to have broken down entirely , and that I couldn’t stand any more of the dog and pony show that was his town meeting and left !
    Any one care to write doc hasting and clear up this little misunderstanding about habeas corpus and express a little outrage on my behalf ?


  52. freeman says:

    # 52 That is……. X chairman of the house ethics committee and representative from washington state . Sorry for the mistake and the lack of articulateness of my outrage .


  53. ForTruth says:

    One of the many problems with the good ol’ boys in Washington is that they think only real terrorists from foreign lands are subjected to the suspension of Habeus Corpus. They don’t see the potential for a long term problem with that. The door has been opened.


  54. Zooey says:

    freeman,

    Wow, that was cool. Good for you.

    “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
    –dunno who said it


  55. freeman says:

    probably some one in jail !


  56. freeman says:

    Don’t worry he assured everyone that it can all be solved by another big tax break for the rich !


  57. ForTruth says:

    freeman that took some guts.


  58. Briseadh_na_faire says:

    Can citizens of a country bring charges against the leaders of their own country in the hague? Or do the charges have to come from outside?

    Comment by bob (not the hacker) — April 3, 2007 @ 9:21 pm

    The International Court of Justice at the Peace Palace in The Hague hears disputes between Nations.

    As regards the International Criminal Court in The Hague:

    The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC is based on a treaty, joined by 104 countries.

    The ICC is a court of last resort. It will not act if a case is investigated or prosecuted by a national judicial system unless the national proceedings are not genuine, for example if formal proceedings were undertaken solely to shield a person from criminal responsibility. In addition, the ICC only tries those accused of the gravest crimes.

    The Rome Statute created the ICC. “The Rome Statute is an international treaty, binding only on those States which formally express their consent to be bound by its provisions. ” The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute. That means no citizen of the United States can be tried under the International Criminal Court.

    Either a separate tribunal, like the ones for war crimes in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and Rwanda, or a country such as Germany exerting Universal Jurisdiction for war crimes, could convene a tribunal to try members of the Bush Administration. The rules of the court for an international tribunal would determine if a U.S. citizen could file charges. The same goes for the tribunals in Germany (where at least one petition has been filed against former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld).


  59. Impeachcheneythenbush says:

    Fifth Amendment – Bill of Rights: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

    Note that there are two clauses here. The first, related to capital punishment, is that only in certain cases arising in the land or naval forces (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force) or in the Militia (national guard) during war time, can a waiver be allowed to the right to a presentament and/or indictment from a Grand Jury. In fact, the referent (for whom Habeus Corpus can be waived) is a member of the Armed Services, regular or militia. NOT any other citizen or non-citizen of the U.S. The part of the second clause that includes reference to due process, uses the phrase, “nor shall any person be deprived…” So it’s not just simply an American citizen who has a right to H.C., but ALL who are being judged…citizen, legal or non-legal resident, detainee. As I’ve said before, what a government can do to their “enemy,” they can also do to their own citizens. Slipperly slope.


  60. Briseadh_na_faire says:

    Comment by Impeachcheneythenbush — April 3, 2007 @ 11:49 pm

    Yet Bush was able to hold Padilla for some 3 years without charges, and only finally filed charges in order to moot his Habeas Corpus claim before the Supreme Court.

    The Supreme Court allowed the claim to be mooted, which means that Bush can do the same thing to any of us.


  61. shane says:

    freeman,

    Wow, that was cool. Good for you.

    “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
    –dunno who said it

    Comment by Zooey — April 3, 2007 @ 11:16 pm

    Good for you freeman

    And if you’re looking for somebody else outraged you should watch Rosie O’Donnell on the view because she seems to be speaking out just like freeman.

    She is catching nothing but grief but personally I think she is acting heroic just like freeman.


  62. freeman says:

    A cake with a file is all I ask for in thanks……Oh ……and boycott EXXON .


  63. Zooey says:

    She is catching nothing but grief but personally I think she is acting heroic just like freeman.
    Comment by shane

    I usually can’t stand Rosie, but it sounds like she’s doing well right now. Since I don’t have televison, I’ll see if I can find something online.


  64. Zooey says:

    A cake with a file is all I ask for in thanks……Oh ……and boycott EXXON .
    Comment by freeman

    Hell, I’ll throw in 2 files. :D

    And HELL YEAH, I’ve been boycotting Exxon since Exxon Valdez. Wankers.


  65. freeman says:

    Watch what you say ,they’ll be calling you a radical , a liberal , a fanatical criminal .
    Better sign up your name you can be so respectable ,dependable ,oh presentable ……A VEGETABLE !
    SUpertramp breakfast in America


  66. Briseadh_na_faire says:

    Hell, I’ll throw in 2 files. :D

    And HELL YEAH, I’ve been boycotting Exxon since Exxon Valdez. Wankers.

    Comment by Zooey — April 4, 2007 @ 12:19 am

    umm, didn’t you used to be a legal secretary? Exactly what type of files were you going to throw in? They wouldn’t, by chance, include briefs, would they?

    ;-)


  67. freeman says:

    I wear hanes if thats any help ?


  68. freeman says:

    when they come to arrest me , do you think it will be a federal agency or a contracted intelligence services employee from black water ?
    ANy thoughts ?


  69. Georgia says:

    A special counsel would probably be the way to go if they wanted to delve into the RNC emails. I don’t see how else truely private emails could be protected. As much as I dislike the RNC, I still believe their privacy rights should be protected (even if they themselves don’t believe the right exists).


  70. Devil's Advocate says:

    Why is Goodling still on the federal payroll? She took an indefinite PAID leave of absence. So, not only does she refuse to be held accountable but she is getting paid for it. By the American taxpayer…

    What’s wrong with this picture?


  71. enough says:

    I want to know who is paying for Goodling’s big time lawyer.

    And let me just say this. It had better not be me because, as a taxpayer, I have a $Trillion war to pay for and I’m tapped out.


  72. Zooey says:

    umm, didn’t you used to be a legal secretary? Exactly what type of files were you going to throw in? They wouldn’t, by chance, include briefs, would they?
    ;-)
    Comment by Briseadh_na_faire

    I would have gladly given him ALL of my files. :D

    He’s on his own for his briefs. As you know, briefs are too frickin’ huge to fit in a cake.



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