Rove Can Only Claim Privilege When Asked About Bush

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Rove Can Only Claim Privilege When Asked About Bush
By Zachary Roth - March 5, 2009, 10:16AM

We've obtained a copy of the agreement on Karl Rove and Harriet Miers' testimony about the US Attorney firings, and it appears to answer some of our initial questions.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2009/03/congress-bush-administration-agreement-on-rovemiers-testimony-3409.php?page=1

Are any subjects off limits?

The scope of the interviews will be limited to: (1) facts relating to the evaluation of, decision to dismiss, or decision to replace the former U.S. Attorneys in question; the alleged decisions to retain certain U.S. Attorneys; and any allegations of selective prosecution related thereto; and (2) testimony or representations made by Department of Justice officials to Congress on the U.S. Attorneys matter. For the period beginning on March 9, 2007 (the date of the Committee's first written demand for information from the White House), interviews will not include the content of conversations involving: (i) Mr. Rove and members of the White House Counsel's office; or (ii) Ms. Miers and members of the White House Counsel's office. In the case of Mr. Rove, the interview also will include facts relating to the prosecution of Alabama governor Don Siegelman.

And when can Rove and Miers claim executive privilege?

As to official privileges, counsel will direct witnesses not to respond to questions only when questions relate to communications to or from the President or when questions are outside the scope of questioning set forth above.

Read more: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/rove_can_only_claim_privilege_when_asked_about_bus.php

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You can see the whole thing here.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2009/03/congress-bush-administration-agreement-on-rovemiers-testimony-3409.php?page=1

[jmowreader]

1. Not good

Since Bush was Rove's right-hand man, almost any question you could ask Rove will, in some way, be connectible to GeeDubya. Hence the following line of questioning:

"Mr. Rove, we must ask you about the Siegelman prosecution."

'Question pertains to pResident Bush. I plead the Fifth.'

"Mr. Rove, we must ask you about the Florida election theft."

'Question pertains to pResident Bush. I plead the Fifth.'

"Mr. Rove, we must ask you about the attorney firings."

'Question pertains to pResident Bush. I plead the Fifth.'

"Mr. Rove, we must ask you what you had for breakfast this morning, and Goddammit, do NOT say this question pertains to president Bush!"

[Xipe Totec]

6. A claim of privilege implicates Bush in the discussion

It is an admission that Bush was involved in the firings.

[Wizard777]

7. They can find a thread in all of this.

They also need to bear in mind that before becoming what is probably the most investigated President in history. Bush was what is probably the most investigated Governor in history. So he may have been grinding an axe from his Governor days.

[midnight]

2. Is this a technique that will protect the former king?

[Lars39]

3. Honestly, was Rove dipped in gold or something?!

:wtf:

[Alcibiades]

4. Here's the thing: Bush knew nothing about the attorney firings

Or so we have been told. This effectually catches them in a lie: if Bush knew nothing about this, then Rove can talk about the attorney firings all day. If he now claims this matter is one that the president is involved in, then he's making a new claim, one I don't think he will make.

Executive privilege cannot be used to hide a crime. This road may ultimately lead to all privilege being stripped on this question.

[groundloop]

9. Good point

Catch Rove in a lie then fry him for perjury.

[Alcibiades]

5. delete dupe

[acmavm]

8. Oh well hell, he probably won't be saying much then, will he?

[damntexdem]

10. And every time he claims th privilege, Dubya did it!

Well, at least if the questioners are careful.

[Deny and Shred]

11. I saw that there will be a transcript, but will they be under oath?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

12. The letter says they will be "interviews," not testimony

You do the math...