Seeking subpoenas -- McCain and Bush clash on powers, scope of intel probe

[radfringe]

Seeking subpoenas
McCain and Bush clash on powers, scope of intel probe
http://www.thehill.com/news/030404/mccain.aspx
By Alexander Bolton, the Hill


Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is pushing the White House to give subpoena power to the independent commission President Bush created last month to investigate intelligence operations.

The administration has turned him down, but the senator is refusing to take no for an answer.

The clash reignites a bitterness first sparked when Bush and McCain fought for the GOP presidential nomination in 2000.

Bush initially opposed creating the commission, but, under pressure from Democrats and some Republicans, he signed an executive order Feb. 6 to form the nine-member commission.

But the president defined the scope of its inquiry narrowly, appointed its members without consulting congressional Democrats and denied it subpoena power. Bush also asked the commission to report back by March 31, 2005, five months after the general election.


---snip---

Bush has made it clear to Robb that he must keep his distance from Senate Democrats. Robb learned that he was to be appointed co-chairmen only a few hours before Bush made a public announcement.

And Robb was warned that if he consulted with Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) before the announcement, he would be stripped of his appointment, Senate sources said.

[democrank]

1. Time for the truth police.

Since Bush is running all over the country trying to score points for his freedom-lover`s invasion of Iraq, let`s put his decisions to the test.

McCain should ignore those who say he`s just trying to settle an old election 2000 score and just grab hold of this thing and shake it until the truth drops out.

[metisnation]

10. Some people on DU have a distaste for John McCain

but one thing for sure the buck stops at John McCain when it comes to untruths about War. I have Republican friends like him..they are usually on target on issues of truth in government.

[xchrom]

2. mccain is good for tough situations

like this. he is a pit bull on certain ethical scenarios and isn't afraid of what shakes out.
he is still a republican and i oppose him on the one hand -- but can certainly support him when trying to let the sunlight in on clandestine affairs like this.

[johnny_red]

7. in my opinion

i'd rather have a good man that i didnt agree with than a politician who parrots what he thinks i want to hear.

integrity plus intelligence plus ability to compromise overcomes any ideological differences in my book.

[Champ]

3. That's it McCain

Run as a third party candidate.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi Champ!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[sonias]

5. the threat of subpoena power

That's the only thing that will make this group of thugs come up with the truth. And even then they will stall and delay and whine about national security. They are so delusional, they don't even remember what the real truth is. Brainwashed, single minded, power grabbing Nazis.

I hope McCain sticks to his principals on this one.

Sonia

[hang a left]

6. 9/11 panel has subpoena power.

Big effing whoopie. What good is subpoena power when you refuse to exercize it.

[metisnation]

11. JOHN MCCAIN TRUE REPUBLICAN

NOT THE NAZI SS THAT STOLE OUR COUNTRY!!!!

[Q]

8. This is BS...

...because the legislative branch NEVER has to go to the executive branch for subpoena power.

[nomatrix]

12. The request is for subpoena power

for the independent commission on National Security.
Senator Byrd's statement...

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2004_cr/s030304.html

"The President has carefully drafted this Executive order to allow
himself to serve as the gatekeeper on what information the so-called
independent commission might have access to.
While the President directs Federal agencies to cooperate with this commission, he also has created a giant loophole that would prevent the most important intelligence products from being read by his commission.

The Executive order reads as follows: The President may at any time
modify the security rules or procedures of the commission to provide
the necessary protection to classified information."

-snip-

"At least the 9/11 Commission has the power to issue subpoenas for
critical information. The President's intelligence commission does not even have that power. The deck is being stacked against a full and open inquiry on the prewar intelligence on Iraq.
Congress is not even assured of having access to the commission's report.
The President has required that the commission send its report to him in March 2005 and then within 90 days the President will consult with the Congress concerning the commission's report and recommendations."

[goforit]

9. Hell..run for president McCain!!!!.....Give Nadar a run for his money!!!

Bush isn't gonna give anyone his time of day, much less a subpoena.

Ya have nothing to lose!!