Dem Senators call for "special counsel" to investigate corruption

[welshTerrier2]

last week in his great speech Al Gore called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate whether bush broke the law by authorizing the NSA to spy on Americans ... i am not aware that other Democrats have backed him up ... that's tragic ... Democrats should not let Gore's statements remain "unendorsed" ...

HOWEVER, today, Senators Schumer and Salazar called for a special counsel to investigate allegations of corruption ... In their letter to AG Gonzales, they made a forceful point arguing that Gonzales had served as the WH counsel while many of these events allegedly occurred ...

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060127/ap_on_go_co/abramoff_democrats

Two Senate Democrats called Thursday for the appointment of a special counsel to take over investigation of the corruption scandal spawned by lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

The switch "would ensure that the investigation and prosecution will proceed without fear or favor and provide the public with full confidence that no one in this country is above the law," Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Ken Salazar of Colorado wrote Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. <skip>

In their letter, Schumer and Salazar cited news reports that said that in addition to the presidential photographs, Abramoff organized at least one meeting with White House aides for his clients.

"These meetings with the president and the White House staff occurred while you were serving as White House counsel," they wrote Gonzales, who became attorney general a year ago. "Given the possible ties between Mr. Abramoff and senior government officials, we believe the appointment of a special counsel is not only justified, but necessary."

[DearAbby]

1. a special counsel is not only justified, but necessary

ABSOLUTELY!

[Kagemusha]

2. What good would this do?...

The only issues worth investigating involve Congress' powers and oversight, and special counsels are still subject to Presidential authority at the whim of the President. In other words, it'd only be a fair and impartial investigation insofar as the President wants it to be. And not one inch further.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Yes and an independent one

(Psst can it be lead by Fitzgerald?)

[Kagemusha]

4. Fitz is not independent. He can be fired at will.

No, the President hasn't ordered him to stop investigating, but if Bush did so, Fitz would be obligated to obey the President or resign and allow someone else to obey him instead.

Wouldn't change with someone not named Fitz.

So I ask again, what good would this do, aside from burying the issue?

[rodeodance]

5. Good news folks!