ABC News reports that about-to-be-released emails show that the "idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys was raised by White House adviser Karl Rove in early January 2005, indicating Rove was more involved in the plan than the White House previously acknowledged." Notice how, within a single sentence, an "idea" that apparently never got off the ground becomes a "plan."
Whatever its source, we know that the idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys was rejected, and that only eight were let go. Thus, assuming that Rove did raise the idea of a mass firing, it's not clear why this would (in ABC's breathless phrase) "put Rove at the epicenter of the imbroglio." Presumably, "the imbroglio" pertains to what the administration did, not to a course of action it rejected.
UPDATE: You can read the Rove-related emails (none of which was writen by Rove) by following a link from the ABC News story. To summarize briefly, they show that Rove asked an aide how the Justice Department planned to proceed with the U.S. attorneys. He mentioned various possibilities, including replacing them all, without making a recommendation or commenting on their merits. The aide raised the matter with Kyle Sampson, Alberto Gonzales' aide. Sampson said that he would like to replace 15 to 20 percent of them -- "the underperforming ones." In the end, they replaced fewer than 10 percent.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 4)
46. No - It's a lot deeper than just Party bashing.
The Dimwit Administratio has politicized virtually every position in the government - including the Justice Department. That ideological politicization has resulted in spectacular failures like 9/11, the FEMA debacle at FEMA, a complete meltdown in the Federal contracting process costing taxpayers 100's of Billions of dollars lost to fraud, and a host of smaller, yet significant problems.
Politicizing the Justice Departmnet, when you've already had the ability to politicize the Judiciary through rubber stamp Judicial approval by your own mahority Party isn't the action of an administration seeking change - it's the action of a group seeking a fascist state by gutting the Justice System in this copuntry.
We have already seen that the same Justice Department, staffed by Rethugly synchophats has spyed on American Citizens and misused the machinery of our FBI and NSA to punish political dissidents. Gonzo has been the point man on issueing quasi legal opinions justifying these anti-Constitutional actions.
All the while failing to capture the major perpetrator and leaders of the terrorist organizations responsible for the attacks on 9/11.
And you would be making a real political mistake to assume it's only Dems who are fed up with the corruption, fraud, and mismanagement.
Impeach 'em, try 'em, convict 'em...
An hang 'em for Treason.
BT at 9:29AM on Mar 17th 2007
47. Two points I'd like to make..
1) This issue is a smokescreen. Have we already forgotten last week's report that the Justice Department BROKE THE LAW by their over-zealous and criminal abuse of the so-called "Patriot Act"?? In my view, this is a FAR more egregious act than the botched firings. Everything that was feared about intrusion into our private lives as a result of the Patriot Act has come to pass. Big Brother truly was out of control. But we are being forced to forget about it because of the firings because the administration realizes that the sooner we forget about broken laws, the better off they'll be.
2) No way you can compare the Clinton firings to the Bush firings. Clinton didn't wait until some prosecutors were behaving in a manner the adminstration found inconvenient. If Bush had fired all 93 on day 1, we wouldn't be having this discussion today.
But remember, we're having this discussion because the Bush administration does not want us talking about the laws it broke by violating the Patriot Act!
Parry Wilvers at 11:04AM on Mar 17th 2007
48. I think this is a very sick world we are living in and seems to be getting worse on a daily basis. It is getting to the point that the President cannot take a shower without this democratic group of idiots wanting to stick their nose in and find out how hot the water was. I wish the president had the authority to fire senators and congressman if they did not go their job, boy someone could have a hay day with that. There would be very few senators and congress persons left.
Bert Eden at 11:22AM on Mar 17th 2007
49. As much as I like to bash the Bush administration they are not the problem here. The entire payola driven political appointee system needs to stop. Remember FEMA? Did you think they were the only agency lead by often unqualified political appointees? It happens at the state level too, new govenor new administration at state oversight agencies. It's not natural , it's discriminatory and it needs to stop. We need our agencies leadership and US attoryney's to be qualified and judged on their merits and not in complete transition each election.
Joel Schuyler at 7:46PM on Mar 17th 2007
50. The Bush administration should have fired they all when they took power. The Democrates would have and laugh while they were doing it. The Republicans are too meek. The Democrates will do any thing they can when in power and will lie to cover it up.
Joseph B kFitzpatrick at 8:39PM on Mar 17th 2007
51. Biggest threat to "Freedom Of The Press" is the bias radical left news media, including but not limitied to, major newspapers, TV "News" shows and left wing politicians who hate "conservatism" so much tht that they will stop at nothing to discredit Republican ideas and Republican politicians. Classic example is how this "media" treats stories concerning Republicans vs. Democrats. Example: Congressman Jefferson and the $90,000 in "cold storage". Why did "media" let this one pass? Was it because Jefferson is a black man? Or is because he is a democrat? Example: President Clinton (Take note that I refer to him as "President" because he was the President of our country. The "media" has a tough time referring to a Republican with their title because the media is afraid the title may add credibility to the person). President Clinton fired all 93 US Attorneys. Where was the outrage then? With the "left", it is all about the 2008 Election. When the "media" is no longer fair to both sides the threat of losing our "Freedom Of Speech" comes closer and closer. I have to believe that the public is sees through this "media" charade. If not, freedom of the press is going out the window.
Bud Mauro at 12:29PM on Mar 18th 2007
52. A new president gets to replace all the attorneys he wants to. Clinton did it and now the left wing is going crazy.
It's sad that most American voters don't know this.
I would rather be right than wrong.
Divided as a nation we will fall and I think we are very close to this now.
Dennis at 4:17PM on Mar 18th 2007
53. You are so right. Bill was much more skilled at discharging the duties of president. Karl Rove and Dick "BirdShot" Cheney are not. Bill not only made the decisions but presented them to the media. This handicapped guy GW Bush that is the spokesman for the Rove/Cheney Presidncy can hardly put one word after another. It is cruel how they make fun of him by calling him the decider and report when he chokes on his food or falls off his bicycle. GW even pretended that he had read a book. He just wants to go home and clear brush in the Texas desert. When you quit drinking life gets rough.
dfhughes at 5:26PM on Mar 18th 2007
54. How many did the Clintons fire? I think it was 100%.
rianta at 6:21PM on Mar 18th 2007
55. Uh Haley,
One thing about Kerry's comment. My husband is stationed at Ft. Benning, and he asked a lot of people on base, some who hate Kerry, about that comment. NONE of them said that they thought he was saying they were stupid. In fact, one soldier who really doesn't like Kerry said that he took it as it was meant, as a joke, and some people apparently have no sense of humor. GET OVER IT ALREADY!!
Dori at 6:35PM on Mar 18th 2007
56. Clinton olny lied about an affair. Not a Matter Of National Importance. Those Attorneys fired included 1 who was rated EXCELLENT by her superiors before the firings. Moreover Gonzo talked firings days preceding the firings. Now we have Aides of Bushes talking firings. If it walks like a Duck, Quacks , Like a Duck, Waddles like a Duck , It ain't likely to be a possum. Especially Cosidering George W. Photo-op Bushes record with reguards to the abuse under the patriot act. It think It's par for the course under "King George". I mean , Why would it not suprise me if those Attorneys were fired under Bush?? Especially the one rated highly under his watch by her superiors?? Impeach Bush Cheney Now. Subpenoa Gonzolez. Thats My OPINION. Speaking Strictly for MYSELF.
David Smith at 8:18PM on Mar 18th 2007
57.
2 things: 1) The comparison between Clinton firing all his US Attorneys and the recent scandal is a red herring. Clinton, like most presidents, swept clean his DOJ on taking office; this is common and a president's perogative. 2) Bush targeted his US Attorney's; in Lam's case, she famously torpedoed a GOP icon---Duke Cunningham---and had to pay. She also was digging around some of the other swine hearts close to both Cunningham and Dick Cheney and would have gotten too close to the White House for Bush's comfort. The lie in San Diego concerns that alledged concern by Bush and Gonzalez that Lam wasn't going after illegal immigrant cases. She was spending a great deal of effort on them with more than half her office involved on those matters. But to nail her for gun running cases---when there were no gun runners---and to sack her ass a few minutes after Cunningham was sentenced stinks to high heaven---if you're not as deluded as some of the GOPpers who continue to cloud these issues.
Alex hamilton at 10:34PM on Mar 23rd 2007