These are not the Democrats I voted for
By David Gurney
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 3:26pm
The Democrats are letting their power slip away. The White House and Congress are striking a deal so that Karl Rove and Harriet Miers can testify before Congress regarding the Federal Prosecutor firings. The White House is willing to let them be interviewed, but is being intractable about their not giving testimony under oath. Senator Schumer (D, NY) has stated that this doesn’t mean “we’re not going to try.”
Great. The Democrats are going to try to summon public servants to testify under oath before Congress, or at least the Senate. What “trying” is there? The White House’s power is at a phenomenal low. People are furious with the administration, and the Democrats are hemming and hawing about making a deal so several people embroiled in scandal will deign to come and answer a few questions?
Absolutely not! These are not the Democrats I voted for. These are not the brave men and women I supported in November to restore integrity and intelligence to our government. The Democrats I voted for understood that Congress is the People’s House and the People do not quietly suggest that the Executive branch spare them a few minutes out of their busy schedules to provide condescending answers to a few questions.
The Democrats I voted for understood that the power and duty of Congress is to provide the people with a lens to view the actions of the powerful. They understood that the power of Congress is to subpoena the powerful and make them swear under oath and penalty of Law to their actions. The power of the People’s Branch of Government is to ensure that we are protected from malfeasance, corruption, and unlawful influence wielded by our government.
The Democrats I voted for understood that they were voted into office to wield the power of the people for the people. I hope they remember that soon.
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No Blinking
By Patrick M McLeod
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 10:53pm
I have a sneaking suspicion that the White House saw the amount of echoing consternation and pearl clutching going on in the Democratic caucuses over legislation on Iraq and sensed the blood in the water.
A clear majority of the American public wants the U.S. out of Iraq. Democrats received votes from independents and Republicans in the November elections on the strength of pledges to do something to get us out of Iraq.
I believe that our elected Democrats' dithering over a clear mandate from voters on Iraq encouraged the White House to precipitate a Constitutional showdown over the U.S. attorney firings.
After all, if you can't understand what "get our troops out of Iraq" means, are you really going to go to the mattresses over a bunch of Republican-appointed U.S. attorneys fired by a Republican President because they didn't prosecute enough Democrats (or they prosecuted too many Republicans)?
Congressional Democrats can't afford to blink.
The Party of Responsible Governance
By Josh Matlock
Wed, 03/21/2007 - 8:33am
Americans want responsible and proper governance. For too long they have been denied. This is an important moment for the Democratic Party. We should want to be viewed as the responsible party that takes care of business and ensures accountability utilizing appropriate and respectful means.
Congressional Democratic leaders are acting prudent and responsible. It is important they not be viewed as a lynch mob; unlike Republicans during President Clinton’s tenure.
President Bush’s deal has already been rejected, and it is merely a matter of time before Rove and Miers are subpoenaed. I am certain President Bush will exert executive privilege to deny their testimony, ultimately requiring judicial resolution.
I agree there is blood in the water, but it is not the Democratic caucuses’. The only blood in the water is Republicans’. Democrats should be wary not to work themselves into frenzy and begin inflicting wounds on each other.