US Features
Weakened Bush courts showdown with Congress
By Tony Czuczka Mar 21, 2007, 13:06 GMT
Washington - He was the swaggering cowboy his foes loved to hate, but the new George W Bush looks different - a besieged US president, undermined by setbacks and scandals in Washington.
His standing eroded by the unpopular war in Iraq, Bush has been on the defensive in a growing confrontation with an opposition-led Congress that is challenging his leadership.
As majority Democrats threaten to seek sworn testimony by White House aides in the latest scandal, some say that a major constitutional crisis pitting the executive branch against Congress may be looming.
In an unusual concession, the administration this week released 3,000 pages of e-mails and offered to let lawmakers interview top White House aides in a bid to counter allegations that the firings of eight federal prosecutors last year was politically motivated.
Congressional probes into the dismissals have fuelled a political firestorm, prompting some of Bush's own centre-right Republicans to join Democratic calls for the resignation of the top US justice official, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
The uproar comes on the heels of a scandal over medical care for wounded soldiers and the FBI's admission that it broke the law while snooping on Americans in the fight against terrorism.
Efforts by centre-left Democrats to legislate a US troop withdrawal from Iraq have also complicated Bush's presidency, nearly two years before his term ends in January 2009.
Vice President Dick Cheney is widely seen as weakened since his former top aide was convicted on March 6 of lying to investigators about a leak to the media of a CIA employee's identity.
Bush pushed back Tuesday, forcefully supporting Gonzales - a loyal aide since Bush's days as governor of Texas - and warned Democrats against seeking 'show trials' of White House officials.
But the real crunch would come if Democratic lawmakers decide to issue subpoenas to try to force testimony under oath by top White House aides, including Bush's top political strategist, Karl Rove, whose role Democrats want to illuminate.
Subpoenas bring a threat of legal penalties if a witness refuses to testify, and Bush vowed that the government would fight any such move in court.
'We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honourable public servants,' Bush said Tuesday. 'I have proposed a reasonable way to avoid an impasse. I hope (the Democrats) don't choose confrontation.'
Bush offered to let aides be interviewed by Congress behind closed doors and not under oath, saying that anything beyond that would intrude on the confidentiality he needs to carry out his job.
US presidents have the power to appoint federal prosecutors. Bill Clinton fired all 93 US attorneys when he took office, and Bush said 'there's no indication that anyone did anything improper' in his administration.
Democrats and some of the eight fired prosecutors disagree, saying that the administration crossed the line to active political interference with the judiciary.
'It was an abuse of power, committed in secret, to steer certain outcomes in our justice system, and then to try to cover up the tracks,' Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy said.
Investigating the dismissals is part of a broader effort by Democrats to put the Bush administration under tough scrutiny, since they won control of both houses of Congress in November elections.
The centre-left party says it's time for 'accountability' - a big buzzword in Washington these days - after Bush's cozy relationship with a Republican-led Congress during his first six years in office.
Even conservative observers are taking Bush to task while viewing the administration's troubles through a different prism.
The Wall Street Journal bemoaned the 'meltdown' at the Justice Department, adding: 'The incompetence at Justice is getting to be expensive for presidential power.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Or Clinton. This libernazi prick who wrote this forgot that popularity means absolutely SQUAT in the American government.
Bush has told Congress to suck him. Good for Bush.
His economy is a record setter. Employment at historic lows, inflation in check, lower taxes, higer tax revenue. Al Queda on the run.
Bush has had to clean up Clintons messes in the middle east, N. Korea, etc., etc. So now the Libernazis, who by the way greenlighted this war to get into office, now think they run the oval office.
Wrong.
Worst? Hardly.
Wait until hillary is in. Higher taxes, lower tax revenue, capitulation in N. Korea and Iraq. Al Queda on our doorstep.
God, what a slam to Congress. Bush condescends to send an aide, the ever-popular Karl Rove, in unsworn testimony, in private. The only thing missing is a pat on their fannies.
Karl Rove is spelled B-L-O-W-M-E
I love this guy! He just sticks it in and breaks it off!
SP4, once again you show us that you've swallowed Bush's Kool-Aid (aka Spin)
Bush's economy a record setter? (laughable if you know the facts)
Here are those facts for you to chew on:
On Incomes:
--Median household income in 2000: $47,599
--Median household income in 2005: $46,326
--Federal minimum wage in 2000: $5.15/hr
--Federal minimum wage in 2006: $5.15/hr
--Loss in purchasing power, full time worker annually: $1,562
On Energy Prices:
--Average price of home heating oil on Jan. 3, 2000: $1.15 per gallon
--Average price of home heating oil on Jan. 1, 2007: $2.42 per gallon
--Average price of gasoline on Jan. 3, 2000: $1.31 per gallon
--Average price of gasoline on Jan. 1, 2007: $2.38 per gallon
--Exxon Mobil profits in 2000: $7.9 billion
--Exxon Mobil profits in 2006: $36.1 billion
On Education:
--Average cost of a year at a public four-year college in 2000: $9,958
--Average cost of a year at a public four-year college in 2006: $12,796
On Health Care Costs:
--Americans without health insurance, 2000: 38.2 million
--Americans without health insurance, 2005: 46.6 million
On Debts and Deficits:
--Monthly U.S. Trade Deficit in October 2000: $33.8 billion
--Monthly U.S. Trade Deficit in October 2006: $58.9 billion
--Loss of value of U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, Jan. 24, 2000 to Jan. 23, 2006: 23 percent
--US Budget Deficit in FY 2000: $230 billion surplus
--US Budget Deficit in FY 2006: $423 billion deficit
--US National Debt in FY 2000: $5.7 trillion
--US National Debt in FY 2006: $8.5 trillion
---------------------------------------------------
Add to that the fact that his economy boom, as you describe it, was driven primarily by low interest rates fueling the economy on over-inflated house prices ... we're just beginning to see how that's gonna come home to roost.
re: Bush's refusal to have his staff testify under oath to Congress ... He's obviously trying avoid something here (not to mention Gonzalez blatantly lying to congress about WH involvement/motivations).
People like you made a big issue about lying under oath in regards to Clinton (actually a position I agree with).
So Tell us SP4, Why isn't truth under oath the higher value in this instance? (I can't wait for your response to that)
Didn't you say before in regards to constitutional assualts (ie: illegal wiretapping) 'If you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to worry about' ...
The same applies to Turd Blossom, buddy.
Let him testify under oath ... like you've said before ... If he didn't do anything wrong, then he's got nothing to worry about, right?
Bush's refusal makes this even more suspicious.
Re: Al Qaeda on the run ... the truth on that is 'Al Qaeda numbers are increasing' (check your facts, pour your Bush Kool-Aid down the drain)
Once again...megalomania supreme...they think they will live forever...and must build a dynesty... Someday the true facts shall out...and we'll all know how this failed regime hurt our country...they... 'the current regime' must have every move in secret...wonder why??? Easy to figure!!!
That may be, except none of that falls under the President's purvue.
He doesn't se oil prices, he doesn't set college prices, he doesn't give out health care chits. He doesn't control the minimum wage, or the maximum wage.
We have record employment, record household wealth, record tax receipts and record low inflation. The Bush economy is a record setter, end of story.
If you want a marxist living, go where they have marxism.
I can't wait to see Hillary dismantle it.
Allright.
But testify to what? Bush isn't under any constitutional obligation to testify about anythng. Neither is Gonzales, or the tooth fairy, etc. This theatre is already over. Honestly, I can't make sense of your diatribe. Where does this all come from?
Do libernazi's actually think that Congress has the legal right to summon the exec branch at will, for whatever estimony they desire? Where were they educated?
And, no, I've never said anything about telling the truth and having nothing to worry about. Otherwise, Louis Libby would be free. That is the most niave premise on earth.
Perhaps Al Queda is growing, perhaps not. What we do know is it's leadership is folding, as we speak, and that is, exactly, the result of the Bush doctrine, end of story.
As for the economy, you're about 50 years behind the times. Those old paradigms no longer dirve the economy. You're arguing with success, so go rightahead.
National Debt -- In the News
13 Feb 07 - Editorial: Debt and the Bush budgets (Washington Times)
16 Mar 06 - Congress sets new Federal Debt Limit: $9 trillion (National Public Radio)
16 Mar 06 - Senate votes Debt Limit hike to $8.965 trillion (Reuters)
16 Mar 06 - US Debt: At least it's not $1 zillion (Reuters)
16 Feb 06 - U.S. moves to miss hitting Debt Ceiling (MarketWatch)
8 Feb 06 - Big Deficit looms behind revival of 30-year bond (Reuters)
7 Feb 06 - Bush's Budget sparks bipartisan protest (CBS News)
30 Jan 06 - Federal borrowing raised to record level (CNN)
10 Jan 06 - Bush seeking to limit spending growth in '07 Budget (Bloomberg)
8 Jan 06 - U.S. hovers close to its Debt Ceiling -- Treasury boss says government business could be affected (San Francisco Chronicle)
27 Nov 05 - Deficit cracking GOP's solidarity -- party-line vote no longer assured (San Francisco Chronicle)
26 Nov 05 - Opinion: Get down to business on U.S. Deficit (The Indianapolis Star)
20 Oct 05 - Budget debate a defining moment for GOP, groups say (CNSNews)
5 Oct 05 - Editorial: Bush mismanagement worsens Deficit (The Capital Times (WI))
17 Sep 05 - Analysis: Katrina's costs will swell National Debt (Associated Press)
7 Sep 05 - Budget Deficit yet another storm victim (Los Angeles Daily News)
10 Apr 05 - Editorial: $7,782,816,546,352 in Debt (CBS News)
7 Apr 05 - Editorial: Bureau of Public Debt: Surrounded by IOUs (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
4 Apr 05 - Bush's agenda faces opposition from election-wary Republicans (Bloomberg.com)
25 Jan 05 - $1.3 Trillion in Deficits forecast over decade (Los Angeles Times)
21 Jan 05 - Does Social Security really face an $11 trillion Deficit? (FactCheck.org)
13 Jan 05 - Critics call Bush's Deficit efforts feeble (Boston Herald)
10 Jan 05 - Editorial: Deficit deception (St. Petersburg Times)
19 Nov 04 - Bush signs [$800 Billion] Debt-limit hike (CBS News)
18 Nov 04 - Senate votes to let US borrow up to $8.18 trillion (Boston Globe)
4 Nov 04 - Why Democrats should be thankful -- at least they won't have to clean up the Bush fiscal catastrophe (Slate -- MSNBC)
3 Nov 04 - Administration pressures Congress to raise Debt Ceiling (Boston Globe)
23 Oct 04 - Where [Bush and Kerry] stand on taxes and the Budget (Detroit Free Press)
9 Jun 04 - Editorial: Reagan policies gave green light to red ink (Washinton Post)
2 Feb 04 - Bush sends $2.4 trillion budget (including record $521 billion Deficit) to Hill (CBS News)
4 Jan 04 - Bush's budget for 2005 seeks to rein in domestic costs (New York Times)
17 Dec 03 - Bush Deficit plan draws derision (CBS News)
9 Jul 03 - Home is where the National Debt is (The Providence Journal)
28 Jun 03 - Treasury official criticizes Debt ceiling (Washington Post)
19 Jun 03 - Editorial: Delusional on the Deficit, by Sen. Ernest Hollings (Dem-SC) (Washington Post)
15 Jun 03 - Aging population makes this Deficit scarier (USA Today)
10 Jun 03 - Congressional analyst now sees this year's Deficit exceeding $400 billion (San Francisco Chronicle)
31 May 03 - Democrats expect record Debts -- Federal Deficit is forecast to approach $500 billion next year (Washington Post)
20 May 03 - White House urges Senate to raise Debt ceiling soon (Washington Post)
14 Mar 03 - GOP senators oppose size of Bush tax cut (NY Times)
20 Feb 03 - U.S. Government hits national debt ceiling -- Treasury begins taking evasive actions (CNN)
29 Aug 01 - Congressional Budge Office: 'Social Security funds needed to balance books' (CNN)
22 Feb 01 - Bush unveils 'fiscally responsible' budget--reduces Deficit, but not Debt (CNN)
27 Sep 00 - President Clinton Announces Another Record Budget Surplus (CNN)
7 Sep 00 - National Debt Clock Stops, Despite Trillions of Dollars of Red Ink (CNN)
26 Jun 00 - Concord Coalition Warns that the new 'Surplus' is not new money, it's simply a new projection (Concord Coalition)
1 May 00 - Clinton Announces Record Payment on National Debt (CNN)
4 Aug 99 - US to buy back National Debt, first time in 25 years (BBC)
SP4, you continually refuse to hear.
Facts and perspective matter little to you ... you just like to start arguments and doggedly defend this administration as conservative, when they aren't even close to the ideals of true conservatism.
You're a waste of time.
Is he on the Payroll?
Your votes here please.
He's just so damned eager to bend over and let Bush give it to him.
WEll SP4 certainly has one thing in common with the neocons,absolute disregard of rational figures facts and a tendency to label whoever disafrees with the neocons a closet marxist of a libernazi.How pathetic to have to rely on that kind of arguments .I know better than to take that man's opinion as the standard of american thinkig.He only represents a very small fraction of public opinion.
That still doesn't make me wrong now, does it? The fact is the economy IS great, by all the stnadards of measure.
War? Hell yes. You won't see Bush on the rubber chicken circuit making speeches apologizing.
Bush is right to employ whomever he wishes. The Constitution is specifc on that, gentlemen.
I can't help it being cool. That's why Get Real and his poofters are using my handle.
I'm loving this. I'm finally getting to you.
Spot on SP. The bitches steal your handle because it's big. You fight hate with facts. They just hate that. The economy is Bush's success and the libs are quaking over it.
Keep on truckin SP.
Yeah, I got to admit, Mike's right. SP whacks em hard. He's right abou the economy, and about Bush, most of the time. The Libs just hate being trounced.
Thanks.
Oh, one other thing: The next time you refer to CBS or CNN in your commentary, remember, we are conservatives, and they are on record as lying to the public (Rather) and gagging news stories(CNN) they happen to think helps the republican party. caught in the act. Busted. Posers. Front'in for Hillary.
Get some new rhymes bitches.
Yes. CNBC: hte Clinton National Broadcasting Company.
CBS?
NBC?
CNN?
Concord whatever???
Certainly not fair and balanced!
Latest headline todays news of Bush's economy ...
'The dollar tumbled to a two-year low against the euro '
That my friend proves your spin on Bush's economy being 'booming' WRONG.
Now go gleefully drink more of your Bush Kool-Aid
SP4, I dunno where you get your paranoia from but I am NOT using your handle in anyway.
That's a dirtball tactic that I would never use.
Maybe it's one of the many, many others you've offended and insulted on this forum.
But please, stop your baseless, false accusations.
Mike, please tell us who is 'Fair and Balanced' ... Do you actually believe FOX is fair and balanced?
Please Mike, show us your wisdom in explaining that (and at the same time show us how completely gullible to a false marketing campaign you are)
If you truly believe FOX is fair and balanced, then you're a great example of the saying 'A man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest'
O'Reilly calling Dems 'Left Wing Nut Jobs' and 'Wackos', and 'Kool-Aid drinkers' ... is that fair and balanced?
Hannity calling Dems the same names, and devoting a huge protion of his program to attacking Dem presidential candidates (most often for petty reasons), and then only talking about the 'positives' of Republican candidates ... is that fair and balanced?
Brit Hume ... same thing.
Fox & Friends ... same thing.
John Gibson ... same thing.
FOX - fair and balanced. Now that's comedy.
All I can tell you is that Fox never deliberately concocted a false document for the purpose of affecting an national election.
That, they leave to what Bernie Goldberg called the mainstream press or CBS, take your choice.
To my knowledge, they never gagged stories in Iraq for access. That is CNN's claim to fame.
As for fair and balanced....they actually do have a show with one committed liberal and one committed conservative. Not watching that much TV, and NEVER watching network TV, I do not know if anyone else has this, too, but I doubt it.
I guess that's why Fox has viewers and the others are losing them by the millions. Murdoch...what a genius.
I've been hearing about trade deficits and dollar exchange rates for 45 years. Not once, have either of these affected an economy change.
Not once.
What HAS affected it was Jimmy Carters obsolete Keynesian dogma, as another writer called it. We had 20% interest rates and 15% inflation, failed wage/price controls a regular FDR jackathon.
Reagan came in, deregulated oil, and it went away.
For 25 years. Supply side miracle
Rush is right: Never let Jimmy Carter go anywhere.
The Congressional Panel which has been probing the firing of eight U.S. attorneys have just authorized subpoenas to compel testimony by Karl Rove, President George W. Bush's top adviser, and other named White House officials.
George Bush is up to his neck in lucifarian arrogance,now it's going to hit the fan!.
WOOO0000000SHH!!(If your in the vicinity I strongly advise to to duck your head)
'Did the President do something legal in 50 states?'
'Yessir he did.'
'Good, Mr. Rove, glad you cleared that up for us.'
Well, SP4 has shown us again he doesn't grasp the situation ... not even in the slightest.
How many times do you have to read this before it sinks into your dense brain?
Let me spell it slowly for you ... It's no longer about what the president can or can't do, legally.
It's about the FACT that Gonzalez lied under oath to congress ... Now, Congress is trying to get the full story, the truth, which we now know includes Karl Rove (Gonzalez recently lied to them when he said it didn't).
Congress has the legal right to bring staff members forward to find the full extent of the deliberate lies and deception.
SP4, Do you get that yet? (geez, I doubt it)
SP:4 ?
Now that would make a LOT of sense. LOL
i think sp4 is a man who knows nothing else but opening his mouth and inserting his foot
see how he tries to cover his tracks by going with sp4 and the real sp4 .
funny indeed
page: 1
BUSHITMar 21st, 2007 - 15:24:26
He is wthout doubt the WORST President in the history of the US.
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