Poor Cenk Uygur! Every time you turn around, he is hyperventilating over some alleged "scandal" in the Bush administration that he is convinced will finally bring down the hated President Bush. This time, it's the news that the Office of Special Counsel is beginning an investigation that grows out of the dismissal of several U.S. Attorneys:
The new investigation, which will examine the firing of at least one U.S. attorney, missing White House e-mails, and White House efforts to keep presidential appointees attuned to Republican political priorities, could create a substantial new problem for the Bush White House.
Cenk is convinced that this is the long-awaited "big one." I'm afraid, though, that he is destined to be disappointed once more. Despite the Democrats' best efforts, there is no evidence whatever that there was anything improper about the administration's decision to replace eight U.S. Attorneys, who serve at the pleasure of the President. The missing emails are from the Republican National Committee, if they really are missing--it's been reported that Patrick Fitzgerald obtained them all in connection with the Valerie Plame investigation, so whether there is actually anything missing remains to be seen. And the suggestion that there is something wrong with "keep[ing] presidential appointees attuned to Republican political priorities" is simply incorrect. Following the administration's policy directives, which in a democracy generally are, and should be, based in part on political considerations, is part of the job description of any political appointee, such as a U.S. Attorney.
The fact is that the Bush administration has been the most scandal-free of any administration in memory. To my recollection, Scooter Libby is the only significant member of the administration who has been indicted. Sadly for the Democrats, opposing their policy preferences is not a crime; nor is defeating them in elections. Not yet, at any rate.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. Part 2 of "Can conservative bloggers tell the truth?"
http://mediamatters.org/columns/200704230009
Hinderaker doesn't talk about this stuff here, preferring instead to bloviate from his private hovel at Powerline.
Webster Hubble Telescope at 7:10PM on Apr 24th 2007
2. This is a pequliar claim:
"... there is no evidence whatever that there was anything improper about the administration's decision to replace eight U.S. Attorneys..."
Here are the names of three of Gonzales' subordinates who've resigned, lawyered up, even pled the fifth over this "non-scandal": Kyle Sampson, Michael A. Battle, Monica Goodling. "No" evidence?! Have you seen Gonzales' conflicting testimony? "No" exidence?!
Off the very tip-top of my head I came up with this name: David Safavian. Bush's GSA-man. He was not just indicted, but convicted in the Abramoff "non-scandal". He's an example of Hinderaker's Law: if an (R) is CONVICTED, it's a "non-scandal"; if a (D) is INVESTIGATED, it's a SCANDAL!!!! And somehow Hinderaker, who I've read is a lawyer, can't remember that Safavian was part of the Bush admin.. Maybe he's just sleepy.
For six years the (D)'s didn't even have subpoena power. Now that they do, there will be many more (R) "non-scandals".
Later,
lil_turk at 7:21PM on Apr 24th 2007
3.
Did you ever read The Hatch Act Mr. Hinderaker?
Pick it up, it's an interesting read.
Peter at 1:16AM on Apr 25th 2007
4. Wasn't Katrina a scandal? The WMD's a scandal? Florida a scandal? Denying children of gay or lesbian parents into the Easter hunt a scandal? No scandal huh?
Sadaqat at 12:28AM on Apr 25th 2007
5. The Attorney General of the United States of America doesn't know a damn thing and can't remember a damn thing. So you find that the important story out of all this is some freak bloggers wrong predictions???
No. YOU are the partisan freakbot. You subvert what's best for America to what's best for your Bush. You hate America. You love Bush. Actually, you just don't care about America. It's all silly partisan games to you freaks. You actually seem happy to have an incompetent amnesiac for our Attorney General.
Everything is a bunch of politics to you, traitor.
KDP at 3:46AM on Apr 25th 2007
6. What a shame these new Liberal Socialists in congress do not concentrate on the work they are being overpaid for, all they spend their days with is the continuous tirade of libel, lies and distortion directed against our decent President. Not content with their shameless waste of time regarding the legitimate work of the Attorney General, they have now joined forces with the terrorists by raising the Yellow and White Flag of Surrender. I never thought that I would live to see the day, that a Speaker of the House, would sit down with a great supporter of International Terrorism, namely Bashar al-Assad, and then prance through the streets of Damascus wearing a Burka! Nancy Bin Pelosi should feel proud of herself, her traitorism has earned her the support of Hammas along with many other murderous outfits that seek the destruction of our great country.
Maurice-Christian at 9:08AM on Apr 25th 2007
7. Mr. Hindraker espouses a view worthy of Mr.Gonzales and for that matter this administration. It is devoid of concern for truth, ethics or descency. An honest republican has sure become an endangered specie. As an independent I grieve this.
Prevailing Republican standards are echoed here. Flippantly, they have installed and made heroes out of the greedy and incompetent. Cronyism is the new GOP religion. Gleefully, defend your "bros" who lie and deceive without conscience and then when cornered develop amnesia. They are the good guys!
Jack Colyar at 9:29AM on Apr 25th 2007
8. Another scandal investigation equals another instance of wasting money and resources. First, isn't true that these "Democrats" were elected to resolve the problems in Iraq? In fact,however, they are simply involved in scandal hunting. Secondly, why is it that none of these Congressional members are even remotely concerned about this nation's growing problems. However, they are consumed with "mud raking" and bringing down a lame-duck presidency which is juvenile at best.
Lastly, will we ever learn that not one Democrat, nor one Republican is interested in the real problems. They are all interested in "power grabbing" and controlling the whole show. We have a growing health care crisis, an illegal immigrant crisis, and in this great nation today, we have record homelessness, record breaking foreclosures, and hunger. Most importantly, the Democrats were not the answer, that answer lies with a viable third party alternative.
Glenn at 9:33AM on Apr 25th 2007
9. Considering that the lowest of the low(homosexuals,abortion supporters,traitors,etc.)comprise today's DemoRAT Party, it is no wonder that they constantly seek to project quilt onto others. One commentor suggested that "KATRINA" was a scandal. What does this imbicile think occured? Did George Bush create a hurricane with some special technology that only he knows about? There was scandalous behavior...that of the raping,robbing, murdering,looting,slobbering,drooling,too dumb to leave when they had 5 days advance warning, residents of New Orleans. It is scandalous for politicians to actively work to undermine the war effort, all in the name of their own political ambitions. It is time to purge these traitors, by whatever means. Denying GayLez Parents From hunting eggs is a scandal? These mentally ill perverts are raising children?...That is the scandal, and a crime, and a disgrace. Time to take out the trash Americans.
carlton wilson at 9:41AM on Apr 25th 2007
10. Karl Rove, "Going Down"? Fat chance! Karl has the power of this Presidency behind him with little or no accountability. He's "Bush's Brain" and that means Karl knows everything Bush does and more. If President Bush can look at your e-mail and spy without warrants, then Karl knows where to look for political strategy. The power that Karl Rove has is Watergate without an illegal breakin. The man can discard sensitive e-mail and enlist Hollywood, the Pentagon, and the government to assist the King. The only way Karl Rove is going down is if you find the Democratic Alternative who was made a victim of this administration. Find the "Bush Fly" and Karl Rove and Team Bush gets swatted! A little accountability could go a long way toward restoring America's freedom. Democrats are getting warmer.
Cecil Jones at 10:06AM on Apr 25th 2007
11. Keep swinging Alice ! After Bush retires who will be the next target ?
socal4patrick at 11:50AM on Apr 25th 2007
12. Are we really surprised? These people have skeleton after skeleton in their ... office desk drawer. This has to one of the most devious and crooked administrations since Richard (Tricky Dick) Nixon!
AJM33771 at 11:21AM on Apr 25th 2007
13. I think that Vice President Chaney should contact Senator Reid and attempt to work out their various differences.
Perhaps VP Chaney could go on a hunting trip with Reid so they can get to know each other better. It would be good for America!
Jack Loy at 11:25AM on Apr 25th 2007
14. Wake up America! They (dems) said they'd investigate everybody and their grandmothers. Another year of this crap. What about the important issues? Some republicans with guts should investigate Pelosi and Reid.
fay at 11:46AM on Apr 25th 2007
15. The problem with the liberals is that they are very arrogant while at the same time are very simplistic. They will not consider that there is a possibility that they are wrong or that the other side has honestly and thoughtfully come to a different opinion. So they are convinced that conservatives are either stupid or corrupt. In there little fantasy world they have concluded that Bush is stupid. Since he continually beats them in elections there must be some genius behind the scenes pulling the strings. That genius is Karl Rove. Since Karl Rove is a smart conservative he must be corrupt. They think that all they need to do is investigate Rove and his criminal empire will collapse. This is, of course, silly. Bush is an intelligent thoughtful man and both he and Rove are honest people who have looked at the world and come to a different conclusion about what needs to be done. If liberals would come to that realization they would be able to make rational arguments instead of the silliness that we have come to expect.
Greg at 11:53AM on Apr 25th 2007