Robert Wexler may call for inherent contempt for Kkkarl Rove

[SharonRB]

Dear Sharon,

Last night, I appeared on MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams to discuss Karl Rove's outrageous refusal to appear before Congress regarding serious allegations that he used the US Justice Department to take down a prominent Democratic politician. It is alleged that Mr. Rove personally instigated the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegleman. The case has been criticized by legal experts, and 52 former state attorney generals – both Republicans and Democrats – have criticized the case and called for an investigation. (You may view the clip here.)

If Rove refuses to testify voluntarily and ignores the subpoenas that will certainly be issued, he should be held in Inherent Contempt of the House of Representatives.

No American is above the law. None of us should be able to ignore Congress without consequence. If Mr. Rove ignores a subpoena from the Judiciary Committee, then the House of Representatives should pass an Inherent Contempt citation and exercise our right to send the House Sergeant-of-Arms to gather Mr. Rove and bring him before Congress to testify.

I do not advocate this option lightly, but the reality is that Congress has few options left against an Administration that totally refuses to submit to any type of reasonable Congressional oversight. Congress has both the right and obligation to investigate these matters. Never before has an Executive so upset the checks and balances inherent in our Constitution. If we back off or delay, we effectively forfeit the power of Congress to investigate the Executive branch.

Rove is not the first White House official to ignore Congress. We have seen a pattern of refusals based on laughable claims of executive privilege. First, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers ignored subpoenas on the investigation into the firing of US Attorney Generals for partisan political motives.

Their refusal to testify was unprecedented: never before have executive officials totally refused to even show up before Congress. Bolten and Miers are the highest officials ever held in contempt of Congress. Unfortunately, Attorney General Mukasey – in a dereliction of duty – has refused to enforce the contempt decree and now Congress is suing them in District Court to demand compliance. Then, the Vice President's Chief of Staff, David Addington, refused to testify on the investigation into the Bush Administration's ordering of torture. Now, Rove continues this executive arrogance by also refusing to testify.

Enough is enough. We have a Constitutional obligation to provide accountability to a White House that is trying usurp the constitutional powers of Congress.

These are the very reasons why I have been pushing for impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney. The Bush Administration has been running roughshod over the Constitution for eight long years. We should not allow the promise of a positive election be used as an excuse to ignore our duty to investigate crimes that weaken the very fabric of our Democracy.

I thank you again for your commitment to the causes that we hold so dear.

With warm regards,

Congressman Robert Wexler

[LakeSamish706]

1. Damn I hope he follows through with this cause I would love to see Rove...

in leg irons.... Wonder how Bush would react to this?

[laylah]

2. Thanks for sharing

Sharon; however, I will get excited when Wexler says they WILL call for inherent contempt charges against turdblossom. Until then, same old, same old.

[Donnachaidh]

3. Hit him with the Contempt charge and send the Feds to ARREST him

STOP pussyfooting around! What is it going to take to get one of these bastards in a JAIL CELL? Stop the slow drip drip drip of *meetings* and start shaking some of the shit up! :banghead:

[caledesi]

4. I agree! NT

[Vincardog]

5. Calll me when they DO IT.

[bleever]

6. K&R.

Do it, Congressman! Time is running out.

[wildbilln864]

7. Wexler!

Got to love the guy! :hi:

[Winterblues]

8. It sure is a lonely fight for him

He sure has my moral support though and I hope he can convince some other Patriots to follow him on this..

[ThomWV]

11. Conyers sometimes sniffs on the right track but it seems he accomplishes little.

[applegrove]

9. The neocons in the Canadian government are behaving in the same imperial fashion.

So you are not alone. I just wanted you to know that.

[ThomWV]

10. I have 2 fears here ...

The first is that they will move too fast and before the end of the year someone finds themselves in front of a judge and Bush breaks out the power of the pardon. The second is that the move too slow and after the election lose enthusiasm for prosecuting these criminals.

[SharonRB]

13. Yeah, the timing has to be just right

Although I could see Bush issuing a pre-emptive pardon for Kkkarl for anything he may be convicted of at any time in the future.

[Ghost in the Machine]

12. Why isn't this man running for President?? n/t

[mikelgb]

14. I hope he does while I'm still in DC

[HowHasItComeToThis]

15. ROVE IS A CANCER TO OUR NATION

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[spanone]

16. i just got the same e-mail, different name(dear spanone)..asking for donations...

why does a congressman need outside money to do his job? not accusing, just wondering

[Raksha]

17. I received the same e-mail.

I guess the Inherent Contempt option is Congress' "nuclear option" when all other attempts to get the executive branch to stop ignoring their subpoenas have failed. It's damn well ABOUT TIME!!! I'm inclined to send Congressman Wexler a donation for his re-election campaign just on the basis of this e-mail...although maybe I should hold off to see if he actually follows through.

[Raster]

18. Dear Congressman Wexler,

Call me when you actually DO SOMETHING to bring these crooks to justice!

Sincerely,

Disgusted American Citizen

[Harry Monroe]

19. Just do it or SHUT.THE.FUCK.UP!!!

[Lex]

20. Yes. Tired of the posturing.

nt