Rove Issues Non-Denial Of Role In Seigelman Case: ‘I Read About It In The Newspaper’
Rove Issues Non-Denial Of Role In Seigelman Case: ‘I Read About It In The Newspaper’
Last week, the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed former White House aide Karl Rove to determine his knowledge and role in the decision to prosecute former Democratic governor of Alabama Don Siegelman.
ABC’s This Week host George Stephanopolous asked Rove if he was directly or indirectly involved in Siegelman’s prosecution. Having trouble coming up with a coherent explanation, Rove simply offered this legalistic non-denial denial. “I learned about Don Siegelman’s prosecution by reading about it in the newspaper,” Rove said.
When Stephanopolous continued to press Rove about his involvement in the case, Rove stuttered and stammered, then responded by again saying he learned about it in the newspaper. Stephanopolous astutely noted, “That’s not a denial”:
STEPHANOPOLOUS: But to be clear, you did not contact the Justice Department about this case?
ROVE: I read about — I’m going to simply say what I’ve said before which is, I found out about Don Siegelman’s investigation and indictment by reading about it in the newspaper.
STEPHANOPOLOUS: But that’s not a denial.
ROVE: Uh. I’ve — I’ve — I’ve — uh — you know, I read about it. I heard about it, read about it, learned about it for the first time by reading about it in the newspaper.
Watch it:
Trying to defend himself, Rove said “everyone who was supposedly on that telephone call” — which points to Rove’s involvement in the case — says it “never took place.” But when Stephanopolous pointed out that there is a cell phone record of the call, Rove had nowhere to go.
Unfortunately for Rove, dealing with the House Judiciary Committee isn’t going to be as easy as ducking questions on a Sunday talk show. As committee chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) said recently, “We’re closing in on Rove. Someone’s got to kick his ass.”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
uh huh… and note, especially, that smirky smile after that last “read about it in the newspaper”…
…
zooey!
May 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pmi can be there in an hour! do you need anything?
Can’t believe Stephanopolous actually took the bull by the horns for once and acted like a journalist who knew something.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pmLying POS..
_AIO_
May 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pmgood morning karl!
May 25th, 2008 at 1:18 pmWhy do I think Karl has a scrapbook for all his evil clippings?
May 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pmIn preparation for going to see the new Indiana Jones flick, I decided to watch the original Raiders of the Lost Ark before going.
The Nazi character of Toht (who gets his face melted at the end of the movie) reminded me alot of KKKarl Rove.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:26 pmWow. What a performance by Rove. He apparently really thinks we’re all as stupid as his Bushbot minions.
What’s wrong with a simple denial? “No, I did not contact the Justice Department about this case.” That doesn’t seem so hard to say. Yet Rove is unwilling to say it.
And did he really say that Congress has no right to question administration figures, based “separation of powers”?
Sheesh.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:26 pmRep. John Conyers (D-MI) said recently, “We’re closing in on Rove. Someone’s got to kick his ass.”
Are you asking for volunteers, Chairman Conyers? LOL
May 25th, 2008 at 1:28 pmSomeone’s got to kick his ass.
The line forms to the left.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:31 pmNot to worry friends. If this clown appears before the committee at all, he’ll invoke executive privilege. By the time it gets adjudicated, we’ll be in our doltage.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pmOnce Rove doesn’t show, the House next must hold him in contempt and send that to the Attorney General. The AG is not even going to look at it.
The WH is trying to claim Exec. Priv. but Rove said he never discussed the case with the WH, therefore that claim can’t really be used.
Perhaps the House will use it’s Inherent Contempt power, but doubtful.
If you want to get to the bottom of Rove’s involvement in political prosecutions they need to be bringing in the small fish first, the ones that can’t hide behind the AG and WH, and won’t lie to protect Rove.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:38 pmEven though he’s had a lifetime of practice, he’s not a very good liar. He displays the fact that he’s lying repeatedly in this clip.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pmkaty Says:
zooey!
i can be there in an hour! do you need anything?
May 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Company — and possibly alcoholic beverages. ;)
May 25th, 2008 at 1:43 pmIt may be neccessary for the Congress to build its own prison in order to prevent the completely facist Supreme Court from overturning any decisions favorable to the RePugniScums.
As long as John “Dream Facist” Roberts is the Chief Justice and Tony “Musolini” Scalia has a say then KKKarl “TurdBlossom” Rove will never see a day in prison!!!
May 25th, 2008 at 1:45 pm#14 should be “not favorable”…sorry…
May 25th, 2008 at 1:46 pmIf that were the case, he could march his worthless ass to the committee hearing anc clear his worthless name.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:46 pmConyers can’t even get his alley wife to exhibit even a modicum of decency, so I what he says with a grain of salt.
When the sergeant at arms is seen frog-marching Turdblossom to the hearing or to the basement of the Capitol, then I’ll get excited.
As for Snuffy Smith Stephanopoulos, he’s got a lot to make up for after his and Paunch Gut Gibson’s travesty of a fake debate in support of Her Highness of Narcissism.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pmWeird with a beard
May 25th, 2008 at 1:57 pmHaving trouble coming up with a coherent explanation, Rove simply offered this legalistic non-denial denial. “I learned about Don Siegelman’s prosecution by reading about it in the newspaper,” Rove said.
Yeah…that’s why he turned down a voluntary request to answer questions forcing the subpoena.
http://progessiveworldreview.com
May 25th, 2008 at 1:58 pmKarl Rove is a serial liar.
Too bad Patrick Fitzgerald was more interested in protecting his career than prosecuting administration crime. Otherwise Rove would be a free man only by presidential clemency.
I have never understood mainstream media’s devotion to making the face of their news organization criminals like Oliver North and unindited criminals like Karl Rove. They make such organizations a laughing-stock, making it hard to understand the advertisers thinking for sponsoring these liars.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pmThe only contempt we will ever see from the tyrannical last 8 years will be the contempt this Administration has for the American people. Their neo-con philosophy holds that the “common” American is incapable of understanding the complexities of our world and therefore the Executive Branch must have the final say in all matters and do so in secret. They have become the tyrants of which they say our troops must go out and do battle with.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pmSomeone tell Jim/Jeff Guckert/Gannon to get outta the way.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:23 pmI found out about Don Siegelman’s investigation and indictment by reading about it in the newspaper.
And let’s all remember he heard that Valerie Plame worked undercover for the CIA from “journalists.”
He really brings out the worst in me. I want so badly to see this porcelain, procine, POS manacled, in an orange jump suit and flip flops being perp walked into some state prison somewhere.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:24 pmStephanopolous is actually being pretty aggressive here. I think it may be safe to assume that since George’s abysmal, pathetic performance/questions in the last presidential debate, he’s been trying to show that he is really a journalist, and not a whipping boy for Sean Hannity and the right wing.
MAYBE…I don’t like to give the MSM too much credit, as they are notoriously disappointing…
May 25th, 2008 at 2:31 pmUSPrincess Says:
Conyers can’t even get his alley wife to exhibit even a modicum of decency, so I what he says with a grain of salt.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Sorry, but what does Conyers’ wife have to do with anything?
May 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pmSomewhat off-topic, however, does anyone else think Rove looks a little like an older version of a bespectacled Ned Beatty from the movie “Deliverance”?
May 25th, 2008 at 2:46 pmDuh Zooey. It is about small gov’ment and less taxes. Oh yeah and the weird pervert peeping tom stuff. Other than that they are totally straight up.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:48 pmWouldn’t we all love to see this so called “political genius”
May 25th, 2008 at 2:50 pmsquirming in a courtroom, lying to doubletalk his previous lies, and being found guilty!
How soon could the boy-king pardon him?
He’d have to move quickly, because the Obama presidency and a supermajority of Dems in Congress will pursue the war criminals.
Interesting how he claims it’s a separation of powers case, yet he wants the executive branch to dictate to the Congress how it conducts its investigation.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:50 pm#26 curmudgeon,
Ned Beatty is MUCH better looking….KKKarl looks like a sh|t-stained maggot to me…jus’sayin’
May 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pmIf Rove ever makes it to testify, beware of constant “oink, oink, oink” responses, in lieu of “I don’t recall.”
May 25th, 2008 at 2:52 pmTurd blossom is an apt name for Rove — except that it insults the flower.
May 25th, 2008 at 3:01 pmYou would think Rover would want to get this all taken care of while Bush is still President. Who’s going to give him a pardon in future?
May 25th, 2008 at 3:06 pmCan we finally get past the notion that Rove is some sort of political genius or a force to be feared? He lost the election in 2000 and probably lost in 2004 if Ohio results are as questionable as they appear. He’s nothing but an ill-educated political hack whose primary strength is his complete lack of integrity.
I hope that Conyer’s committee can get something out of him, but I guarantee that Karl Rove will be pardoned during George Bush’s last week in office for any wrongdoing during the Bush presidency. KKKarl can lie with impunity and no one can do anything to him as long as Bush has the power to pardon.
May 25th, 2008 at 3:12 pm#28 Marie Says:
“He’d have to move quickly, because the Obama presidency and a supermajority of Dems in Congress will pursue the war criminals.”
I think you’re right. Given that, the new Congress and new President will have to face a Supreme Court stacked with RePugniScum fascist that will let their BFF’s get away with everything they’ve done.
If the Democrats are to take back the balance of power in Jan. they will need to begin impeachment proceedings against certain members of the Supreme Court on day one. Otherwise, the Democrats will loose every battle that goes before the corrupt, corporate fascist, RePugniScum, inJustices at the unSupreme Court.
Before that they may need to begin the removal of the corrupt AGs appointed under GW Botch and impeachment proceedings against ALL of the Federal District judges that went along with all of the corruption at the DOJ.
May 25th, 2008 at 3:23 pmRe: my earlier post #26 –
A friend just reminded me about a scene in Deliverance (on YouTube) featuring Ned Beatty, entitled Redneck Scene – 2. To view this segment, according to YouTube — “To view this video or group, please verify you are 18 or older by logging in or signing up.”
If my information is correct, unless you have a strong stomach, you may prefer not to watch it.
May 25th, 2008 at 3:27 pmFace it, the Democrats do not have the balls to do anything about this. They are exactly the wussies that the Republicans claim they are. The Republicans are nothing but a bunch of fascist criminals. It is time for the people to take over. Would it not be nice if Rove just disappeared after he refuses to testify never to be seen again? Would it not be nice if others implicated in thwarting our form of government started to do the same each time they stand against investigation?
May 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pmCan Bush issue a blanket pardon for any crimes committed by any of his staffers, their family, friends or mistresses before he leaves office?
May 25th, 2008 at 3:50 pm#37 JMOHR Says:
Would it not be nice if Rove just disappeared after he refuses to testify never to be seen again? Would it not be nice if others implicated in thwarting our form of government started to do the same each time they stand against investigation?
Unfortunately, that only happens to great progressive people with a vision of the future. Have you ever notice that never happens to a Republican?
Plato was brillant and this particular quote is right on topic.. If he only knew how true his words are especially in our time.
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.”
May 25th, 2008 at 3:51 pm- Plato (427-347 B.C.)
JinJin Says:
I dunno guys, sounds like a lot of “he said she said” mumbo jumbo to me.
As opposed to your blog-whoring spam?
May 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pmJinJin:
I have been a prosecutor. It is not he said she said. This involves an allegation by a person who was present at the conversation and not adversary parties, i.e. victim and aggressor or personal animosity. There is independent evidence that a phone call took place with the witness. There is suspicious testimony of witnesses who denied that a phone call ever took place even though cell phone records confirm that a call did take place. There is evidence of using local and DC DoJ personnel for political purposes. Rove’s refusal to testify to a matter involving potential obstruction of justice and to go under oath simply sounds guilty. The attempted assertion of executive privilege would simply be unjustified because it is an investigation of a potentially criminal act and therefore would not be subject to an assertion of executive privilege.
May 25th, 2008 at 4:23 pmHopefully Karl will “read” more about it while in jail.
May 25th, 2008 at 5:19 pmAnd maybe George W. will “read” a lot to him if they’re locked up in the same cell.
May 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pmBesides his overall porcine appearance, I must admit that Rove is the only person I have ever seen with flesh-colored hair.
May 25th, 2008 at 5:28 pmHeard it on the news. Unbelieveable, but with Herr Rove, not really.
He is above the Law. And no one can touch him. If I had a $500 bill I’d lay it on the table right now and bet that he never testifies under oath, ever. JinJin – you’re letting your legal mind get in the way of reality.
Who’s gonna make him testify? The Dems? Sure.
May 25th, 2008 at 5:39 pm#38 Gummitch asks:
Can Bush issue a blanket pardon for any crimes committed by any of his staffers, their family, friends or mistresses before he leaves office?
I could be off in my recollection (happens more and more as the years go by), but I recall that Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon amounted to a blanket pardon as did George HW’s pardon of North, et al. Even if a blanket pardon is not possible, I can guarantee that Rove and his accomplices know their exact crimes and Bush will be happy to ensure they get away with everything.
May 25th, 2008 at 5:51 pmAn honest Karl Rove Response would have been , ” No I did not contact the justice Dept. about the prosecution Siegelman . Plain and simple .
May 25th, 2008 at 6:20 pmA dishonest Karl Rove said exactly what he said , ” I wead about it in da papa ” HA HA . And it aint it sweet to tell congress , ” WAYS they COULD find out what they wanted ” Did you get that . This ARROGANT and protected by the White House and accused CRIMINAL Karl ” dirty Tricks ” Rove , is going to tell Congress ” Ways” they can investigate him . He has to be joking . That’s like Al Capone telling the government , I won’t cooperate , I won’t tell you want you want , but I will tell you ” WAYS” you can find out . Ya like going to the MOON, doing 100 back flips , and coming back then asking your questions .
“Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) said recently, “We’re closing in on Rove. Someone’s got to kick his ass.”
OOOHHHhhhhhhh me first! I’ll whallop him in the ass so hard, his kidney’s will fly outta his mouth.
May 25th, 2008 at 6:40 pmThis guy’s arrogance this thick. He obviously lives in the clouds. The master always finds fault with his critic. He owes his life to spin and Bush ignorance. Does jail threaten? They could share a cell, no?
May 25th, 2008 at 6:47 pmFor some background on the GOP penchant for the politics of personal destruction, “Nixonland” lays out Rove’s training with the dirty tricks gang. Roger Ailes was a part of that. The entire Bush administration consists of Nixon cabinet soreheads who still hold a grudge about Nixon’s demise. Typical of them, they blame everyone but the perpetrators of the 1972 election skullduggery. Democrats, The Librul Media, leftists get blamed for Nixon’s political demise.
May 25th, 2008 at 6:53 pmA baseball bat upside that bulbous Rove head and a rope for that thick neck would set things right.
Everyone has a lie detector in their heads,when we KNOW someone is lieing, mine is DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!
May 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pmRepublican + moving lips = lying.
May 25th, 2008 at 8:43 pmThe LIES are so many he gets confused with his own words… Their bubble is geting smaller and uncorfortable by the minute! Get this criminal to unswer under oath, then lock him up for life for War Crimes, if not execution for war crimes!
May 26th, 2008 at 1:39 amWhere is some friendly fire when you need it?
May 26th, 2008 at 7:36 amThe way of Karl Rove is to inject his poison inconspicuously, you don’t know you have been bitten until the skin begins to rot away. He has spent a life time poisoning our American political system.
He deserves nothing more than a prison sentence from the American people for what is has done and what he is doing to our nation. Chop off the head of this snake, by sending him to jail. Oh, and stomp the little ones as they emerge.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:52 amThere was an initial attempt to prosecute Siegelman that didn’t fly in court. My guess is that’s what Rove read about in the paper, and then he got involved with the second, successful railroad job.
May 26th, 2008 at 9:29 am