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Wasserman-Schultz on arresting Rove: ‘Well, if that’s what it takes.’

In an interview with MSNBC’s Dan Abrams yesterday, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) said that the House Judiciary Committee would be willing to arrest Karl Rove if he continues to refuse to testify about his role in the U.S. attorney scandal and prosecution of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman. The Hill reports:

Well, if that’s what it takes,” she said. “I mean we really cannot allow the co-equal branch of government, the legislative branch, to be trampled upon by the executive branch. The founding fathers established three branches of government. We are a co-equal branch, and this is an administration that essentially has ignored and disrespected the role of the legislative branch for far too long.”

Watch it:



33 Responses to “Wasserman-Schultz on arresting Rove: ‘Well, if that’s what it takes.’”

  1. MCMetal says:

    So what in the hell are you all waiting for ?


  2. ralph the wonder llama says:

    we really cannot allow the co-equal branch of government, the legislative branch, to be trampled upon by the executive branch.

    You mean, it hasn’t worked so well thus far?


  3. njca says:

    Rove will invoke the rights of unitary executive privilege and then…oh crap he’s not the President…hmmmm what now?


  4. Buckie Boy says:

    They should have been using inherent contempt long ago, and used it many times. These repukian criminals are going to walk without paying one second of prison time that they deserve.


  5. Louis Lemire says:

    “..willing to arrest Karl Rove..

    The most harmonic words were ever spoken in American History; somebody put them to music.


  6. tanglewood says:

    I’ll believe it when I see it. With McClellan’s book out, if the charges in that aren’t enough for impeachment than I don’t know what is.


  7. Freedom Rebel says:

    Thank you, Representative Debbie for finally seeing the fact that this administration doesn’t believe you will hold tham accountable.

    Well, right after the 4th of July Rove is suppose to make his appearance. It would be nice in a way if he doesn’t show. I think most of us would love to see him handcuff and humiliated being shoved into the back of a police car. That would definitely be cause to have a big party..


  8. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    “Well, if that’s what it takes.”

    Let’s not kid anybody, that is what it will take.


  9. Dr. Zoidberg says:

    Wow– Debbie actually does something I agree with, finally! If she backs up Wexler, then I’ll REALLY give ‘er some love.


  10. Nevar says:

    Now we’re starting to hear some sense.


  11. Cats r Flyfishn says:

    If they need handcuffs, I’ll go out and buy some and mail it to them. Gees, do something… I’m waiting for the breaking news and the picture of traitor Rove in handcuffs. After what was revealed in Scotty’s book, I more convinced than ever that Karl Rove is a traitor to the Constitution of the United States and he betrayed our nation.


  12. Zooey says:

    Why the long wait, Deb? The Executive Branch has been shitting on the Constitution for 8 years.


  13. And Yet... says:

    Are you listening, John Conyers & Co over @ HJC? This had better not be just hot air.

    Don’t forget, dear Democratic Reps, it’s an election year.


  14. RUCerious says:

    Debbie does Karl~! Go girl, INHERENT contempt, as much as it takes to match the contempt that the executive branch and it’s current clown club have for your branch.


  15. Zooey says:

    Dr. Zoidberg Says:
    Wow– Debbie actually does something I agree with, finally! If she backs up Wexler, then I’ll REALLY give ‘er some love.
    May 28th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

    Um, where is Wexler on his big ole petition to impeach?

    **crickets**


  16. And the beat goes on says:

    Anyone hear Jonathan Turley on Randi Rhodes today? When asked why nothing has happened yet he said he thought the Dem leadership knew all along what was going on and won’t do anything to implicate themselves. Nothing will happen because they want to win. I think that if they try to do anything to this current administration, their house of cards will come tumbling down. I am just so disgusted by this all. If it turns out that Dem. leadership did have foreknowledge of some of the illegal activities (torture, wiretapping) they won’t move on ANYTHING.


  17. RUCerious says:

    FR~!~
    I think most of us would love to see him handcuff and humiliated being shoved into the back of a police car. That would definitely be cause to have a big party..

    I’d second that with fireworks!!


  18. SP Biloxi says:

    Memo to HJC: Time to stop flapping your gums and arrest McTreason Rove.

    Release the hounds!


  19. StratRat says:

    I think that if they try to do anything to this current administration, their house of cards will come tumbling down. I am just so disgusted by this all. If it turns out that Dem. leadership did have foreknowledge of some of the illegal activities (torture, wiretapping) they won’t move on ANYTHING.

    You make perfect sense. The Bush administration was only able to destroy the Constitution because the dems allowed it – at least after Novembers elections, and before. I fear it is the win at any cost philosophy which is driving our entire political process. The dems will let the thugs get away with the crimes because some of the dirt will fall onto their leadership for sitting on their hands for so long. I think it is time to completely start over with our political parties. We need more than just two or three parties competing for our votes.


  20. Freedom Rebel says:

    #17 RUCerious Says:

    FR~!~
    I think most of us would love to see him handcuff and humiliated being shoved into the back of a police car. That would definitely be cause to have a big party..

    I’d second that with fireworks!!

    The hits for the YouTube video would be in the millions. July can’t get here quick enough for me..


  21. JMOHR says:

    Do we honestly believe that we will see an actual attempt to enforce the law? We have not seen it through two terms of the Bush presidency. The Republicans abdicated their responsibility by failing to make any attempt to reign is Bush. Something they could have done when in control of Congress. They could have done it to save the republic and to avoid embarrassment to their own party. But we did not see it.

    We see the Democrats take charge in 2008 and still no substantive action to put an end to the antics of this White
    House. I doubt that we see it now.


  22. And the beat goes on says:

    #19 Stratrat

    I was just talking about starting over with a good friend. Many years ago even politicians were considered “civil servants.” I think the whole concept of public service has gotten twisted and mangles by career politicians who will do anything to preserve their greed for power. I am really angry about all of this – I wish I knew where it is all going. Someone needs to step up and do the job they swore to do.


  23. McWars says:

    What if the House Judiciary Committee places a couple strips of bacon where Rove is supposed to sit? Will that work?

    Because, otherwise, we all know he’s going to evade arrest, hiding in Sean Hannity’s basement.


  24. blame says:

    Unbelievable that it has taken this long since the Alberto Gonzales testimonies for something to happen. His performance in his testimonies were a sure sign that something major was being completely covered up and that the administration were willing to sacrifice any staffers by ordering them to completely shut up when put under oath.

    Also I hope the Siegelman case gets looked into at the same time. A man with a perfect track record gets jailed for corruption. The key witness had been interviewed and questioned more than 70 times by the prosecutors, who also had him “repeatedly write out his testimony, because they were frustrated with his recollection of events” (according to 60 Minutes). If that doesn’t make a couple of alarms go off, I don’t know what does.


  25. Freedom Rebel says:

    #6 tanglewood Says:

    I’ll believe it when I see it. With McClellan’s book out, if the charges in that aren’t enough for impeachment than I don’t know what is.

    It’s hearsay until someone from Congress asks him to go on the record. Let’s see what Congress does after reading the book.

    But, I agree with you, we have yet to see them stand up to this administration at all. Most will pay for that by not being re-elected. I have Kucinich in Ohio so I personally can’t complain, he at least has tried.


  26. KestrelBrighteyes says:

    Rove’s subpoena is for July 10.

    Is it bad karma to wish for inherent contempt charges, and a video of Rove being led away in handcuffs that very evening?


  27. KestrelBrighteyes says:

    I meant to say, since July 10 is my birthday, is it bad karma to make that my wish?


  28. Freedom Rebel says:

    #22 And the beat goes on Says:

    I was just talking about starting over with a good friend. Many years ago even politicians were considered “civil servants.” I think the whole concept of public service has gotten twisted and mangles by career politicians who will do anything to preserve their greed for power. I am really angry about all of this – I wish I knew where it is all going. Someone needs to step up and do the job they swore to do.

    The problem is we need term limits, I think 12 years is perfectly reasonable. One term in the Senate and 3 in the House of Representatives, or two terms in the Senate. That would end career politicians from getting this powerful. I don’t think we would as many abuses that are currently happening. Plus, that would really hurt the Lobbyists. They are part of this nightmare; they get their hooks into members of Congress and we see them not looking out for the citizens they are suppose to be representing.


  29. Nevar says:

    I’ll kick in some karma to give you that happy birthday, Kestrel Bright Eyes!


  30. Alecto says:

    The Constitution gives the Congress power in Article I, and the President power in Article II.
    So, mr. utterly useless pile of protoplasm dinckledoofus booooosh, which one is more “basic?”


  31. Bluestocking says:

    “I mean we really cannot allow the co-equal branch of government, the legislative branch, to be trampled upon by the executive branch. The founding fathers established three branches of government. We are a co-equal branch, and this is an administration that essentially has ignored and disrespected the role of the legislative branch for far too long.”

    ********************************************************

    Oh, puh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!! What Ms. Wasserman-Schultz has apparently utterly failed to recognize is that there’s a very simple explanation why Bush has been ignoring and dismissing Congress — because they’ve let him get away with it! It’s been my experience that if you show people you’re willing to be satisfied with dregs, that and no more is exactly what most of them will give you. As often as not, if you want other people to respect you in this life, you have to fight for it and refuse to accept anything less — which goes triple when dealing with a proven bully like Bush. The only way to earn a bully’s respect is to fight him — and unfortunately, even that doesn’t often work when dealing with the kind of utterly narcissistic bully who’s determined to win at literally any cost. For pity’s sake, what good does it do Congress to have teeth if they won’t use them?!?!? If they want Bush to give them the respect which is their due as an equal power in the government, then they should start acting like one instead of rolling over and playing dead whenever Bush snaps his fingers!


  32. Max-1 says:

    .

    If Rover has no bone to hide…
    Then why is he so resistant to play catch with Congress?

    Paul Rothstein argues that ONLY criminal activity in the Executive Office ISN’T protected by Executive privilege. However, how can one prove such criminality if witnesses are shielded from testifying about the truth? What remains but speculation of guilt – OR INNOCENCE. Why obstruct Justice if you are innocent – What is there to hide…
    If there’s nothing to hide… ? ? ?

    Back at ‘cha Carl.

    .


  33. van1976 says:

    Who would physically arrest Rove? Who would give the order? The Ag? The FBI? No one knows. Or “they” can always say “I thought you meant DON’T arrest Rove”. Better yet, “no one agency has juristiction”, kind of like being in 2 branches of goverment at the same time. The excuses can be endless. Back to the original question…Who would arrest Rove?
    This whole thing is like a “professional” wrestling match. The bad guy vs the good guy. After the Main Event they all go out and have a beer together.



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