Karl Rove Cited For Contempt

Posted by Richard Blair, The All Spin Zone at 10:03 AM on July 30, 2008.

The real question: will the citation be enforced?

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The House Judiciary Committee voted this morning to hold Karl Rove in contempt of congress. Big deal. The entire Bush administration has held congress in contempt for the past seven years. And there is no intent on the part of the House to actually, you know, enforce the citation. So what's the point?

Wonderful.

So what?

The Bush administration has held congress in extreme contempt for the past seven-plus years. For five of those years, it didn't much matter. The past two years haven't made much of a difference either.

So, Conyer's committee cites Karl Rove for contempt of congress because he wouldn't comply with a subpoena, claiming "executive privilege". And now, the full House must vote on the citation, at least if that isn't off of Speaker Pelosi's table, too.

Riddle me this: what difference does it make? Are they gonna send the sheriff to Fox News to pick up Rove prior to his next appearance? Not a chance. Send a strongly worded letter to his lawyer? Probably. The bottom line is that nothing is going to happen, and in fact, the GOP members of the committee got it mostly correct:

It's all political theater. Quit wasting time and taxpayer dollars with stupid stuff** like this that the Democratic Party congressional leadership has absolutely no compunction (or apparently, ability) to back up with action.

** I'm being snarky. Contempt of congress is not "stupid stuff"; it's really a pretty serious charge. But it's thoroughly meaningless when there's no intent of enforcement action.

Tagged as: congress, gop, karl rove, nancy pelosi, house judiciary committee, house democrats

Richard Blair is the blogmaster of All Spin Zone.

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Actually [Report this comment] Posted by: happyhermit on Jul 30, 2008 11:26 AM Current rating: 4 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] It could be a big deal. If the House holds a vote on the recommendation (AP said that it was "unclear" whether Pelosi would do so and I'm awaiting further word, you got any?) then all they need is a majority decision to hold him in contempt. If that happens, the Sergeant-in-Arms of the House DOES actually, literally, go and arrest Rove. He will bring him to the House floor to confront the allegations against him, which would not only show the country that the Democrats might possess a semblance of a spine, but it would also shine a massive media spotlight on the criminal travesty that has been Rove's forte, as well as, perhaps, begin a process of recovering trust in our government's ability to at least, on occasion, concern themselves with justice and decency. The House Judiciary Committee is not an impotent body, and this particular case is not as quixotic as successfully and completely impeaching Bush. All things considered, at this point, I find your skepticism to be a bit pre-emptive (and yes, unduly snarky, sorry.) [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Why the delay? [Report this comment] Posted by: JakobFabian01 on Jul 30, 2008 11:39 AM Current rating: 4 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I'd be more optimistic if Nancy Pelosi were interested in deciding this matter some time sooner than September. Does she imagine the Karl Rove citation vote will get easier the longer she delays it? I agree with the previous commentator that something good CAN come of Congress's action on Rove. But there's no better time to show some spine than now! And I have always wondered just what Congressional Democrats received in exchange for taking impeachment off the table. Was it anything at all? I agree that politics is not just a game, but really, if the Democrats would play politics more like a game and do fewer favors for Republicans in exchange for nothing, the Democrats would WIN more often, and we'd get much, much better government. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Why the delay? Posted by: cdmagda » RE: Why the delay? Posted by: cdmagda » If he's pardoned Posted by: happyhermit » RE: Why the delay? Posted by: feduphoosier » September's the end of the business year Posted by: Fog Who cares if he gets pardoned? [Report this comment] Posted by: nc green on Jul 30, 2008 1:04 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] First, convict him of the charges against him. Then let Bush commit another felony by pardoning someone who could testify against him on the matter of felonies already committed. Conviction is the prize. Jailtime would be icing on the cake. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » exactly. Posted by: happyhermit » RE: exactly. Posted by: willymack First, ARREST HIS ASS [Report this comment] Posted by: gallery on Jul 30, 2008 1:26 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] then tie it up in the courts until bush is OUT of office. It seems pretty logical to me. Why is it that this tactic only works for the repukes? They have stalled and stalled and stalled on so many issues that you'd think the dems would pick up on the fact that dragging your ass CAN sometimes be useful. In the meantime, the lions want some meat. Show us you want some justice, and MAYBE, we'll vote for you again...... [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: First, ARREST HIS ASS Posted by: willymack Make Pelosi Next [Report this comment] Posted by: Nicnic on Jul 31, 2008 4:14 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Again, who is Pelosi and why does she stand between the American people and their will? It's time to remove her as well. These matters are our decision and not hers. You got to ask yourselves why these wealthy upper-class fakes are so compelled to be in office in the first place. It's vitally important to bring down Rove so that the American people can see that this administration and most of the members of Congress are not the invincible ones they so arrogantly decree, Pelosi included. Once we break the dam there will be a flood and many will fall. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Rest Assured, Nothing Will Happen! [Report this comment] Posted by: cherylholmes on Jul 31, 2008 4:58 AM Current rating: 3 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] It never does...He's fundraising for Kay Bailey Hutchison in Texas too..most likely will run her campaign here. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: est Assured, Nothing Will Happen! Posted by: koolwoman Larger Point [Report this comment] Posted by: bloggeddowninMKE on Jul 31, 2008 5:58 AM Current rating: 4 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] With all due respect, I think many of the previous comments may be missing a couple of larger points. Holding Rove in contempt will force him to testify under oath, which may reveal things from the Siegelman case that lead to ties to people higher up (Bush/Cheney). It also forces a decision on the executive privilige defense which could hopefully create a precedent that will keep other people, like Harriet Miers and John Bolton, from testifying in similar situations. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » And Bush then Pardons them Posted by: Ohjin Lap dog, toothless Congress DO anything? [Report this comment] Posted by: solitarysherlockian on Jul 31, 2008 6:19 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Among other progressives, I get constant "Please send us money" envelopes from the Democratic Party. I keep telling them that when Nancy Pelosi puts the law--before her political desires (as in impeachment investigations), I will send some cash. Till then, the Democratic Party isn't much diff. from the Republicans. Toothless lapdogs. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Lap dog, toothless Congress DO anything? Posted by: christee THERE IS ONLY ONE DYNAMIC THAT RECENTLY CHANGED. [Report this comment] Posted by: JohnHKennedy Denver CO on Jul 31, 2008 7:29 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] THE ONLY THING THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS CARE ABOUT IS GETTING THEIR MAJORITY RE-ELECTED. ONLY A SERIOUS THREAT BY IMPEACHMENT ADVOCATES TO UN-ELECT INCUMBENT HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL CAUSE FULL IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS OR... GET THEM TO ACTUALLY VOTE TO HOLD ROVE IN CONTEMPT AND ARREST HIM. ALL SHOULD BE AWARE that the House Democrats did not vote to recommend that the full House vote to hold Rove in contempt or allow Fridays preliminary Impeachment Hearing Out Of The Goodness Of Their Hearts. THERE IS ONLY ONE DYNAMIC THAT RECENTLY CHANGED. EVEN DEMOCRATIC VOTERS are now THREATENING TO UN-ELECT INCUMBENT HOUSE DEMOCRATS. The Democrats are afraid of massive voter retribution in the November Election. They are afraid of losing their jobs, their power, and the perks that go with it. The Voters have recently and loudly told the House Democrats that we are sick and tired of their stonewalling on holding Bush and Cheney accountable. After My Democrats took over, the polls show that Congress's positive rating dropped to the single digits, the lowest in history. The refusal of the House Democrats to stop the Iraq War and Impeach is unforgiveable. We put you in office and if you do not hold Full Impeachment Hearings prior to the Election we will un-elect you. In Colorado We Democrats, Independents, Republicans and others are currently doing negative campaigning against all incumbent House/Senate Candidates who have refused to support and even discuss impeachment. If the House Democrats do not immediately announce the date of the first full impeachment hearing scheduled prior to the election, we will greatly increase our negative campaigning. THE RACE FOR the PROMOTION OF INCUMBENT Colorado Rep. UDALL TO THE US SENATE is a statistical DEAD HEAT. Rep. UDALL REFUSES TO DISCUSS OR SUPPORT IMPEACHMENT (to even discuss it). WE can affect the outcome of this race and PUSH UDALL TO BACK IMPEACHMENT. Or STOP HIM FROM WINNING ELECTION TO THE SENATE. We don't need another Bush Lite Dem in the Senate. Democratic Congressmen have our support only if you hold serious full impeachment hearings before the election. Fail to do that and we will campaign against you, It is time for a change in The Behaviour Of Congress. Voters who want accountability via impeachment or comtempt citations should follow our example. IMPEACHMENT IS COMING John H Kennedy Denver CO 43 yr Democratic voter, Obama delegate to Denver County Conv, organizer of the IMPEACH COLORADO COALITION ImpeachCO.com PS: Did the Media note that this 2 hour hearing ran over 6 hours and that 2 overflow room were packed, and that hundreds were left outside in the halls, and that the testimony was mostly For impeachment? This is getting serious. YOU ALL NEED TO CALL CONGRESS EVERY DAY (800-828-0498) AND DEMAND THAT IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS START BEFORE THE ELECTION .. .. .. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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» RE: Why the delay? Posted by: cdmagda

» RE: Why the delay? Posted by: cdmagda

» If he's pardoned Posted by: happyhermit

» RE: Why the delay? Posted by: feduphoosier

» September's the end of the business year Posted by: Fog

» exactly. Posted by: happyhermit

» RE: exactly. Posted by: willymack

» RE: First, ARREST HIS ASS Posted by: willymack

» RE: est Assured, Nothing Will Happen! Posted by: koolwoman

» And Bush then Pardons them Posted by: Ohjin

» RE: Lap dog, toothless Congress DO anything? Posted by: christee

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» RE: Why the delay? Posted by: cdmagda

» RE: Why the delay? Posted by: cdmagda

» If he's pardoned Posted by: happyhermit

» RE: Why the delay? Posted by: feduphoosier

» September's the end of the business year Posted by: Fog

» exactly. Posted by: happyhermit

» RE: exactly. Posted by: willymack

» RE: First, ARREST HIS ASS Posted by: willymack

» RE: est Assured, Nothing Will Happen! Posted by: koolwoman

» And Bush then Pardons them Posted by: Ohjin

» RE: Lap dog, toothless Congress DO anything? Posted by: christee