NYT: Strong Backing for Ex-Governor's Appeal (Siegelman)

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/us/31siegelman.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&ref=us&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Strong Backing for Ex-Governor’s Appeal
By ADAM NOSSITER


Fifty-four former state attorneys general filed a brief Friday supporting the appeal of former Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama, convicted two years ago on bribery and corruption charges in a prosecution depicted by his supporters as politically motivated.

Robert Abrams, a former New York attorney general and an author of the brief, said the document was unprecedented in bringing together a large number of former top state judicial officers, mostly Democrats but also some Republicans. Mr. Abrams said it reflected “strong feelings” that an injustice had been done to Mr. Siegelman, a Democrat who was freed on bond from a federal prison in March after serving nine months.

snip//

Meanwhile, Mr. Siegelman, freed after the appeals court cited “substantial questions” in the case, is seeking to have his conviction thrown out.

“This number is extraordinary,” said Mr. Abrams, a Democrat who once headed a national association of state attorneys general. “It reflects strong feelings that there should not be inappropriate inhibitions on people’s rights to participate in the political process. The country’s got to guard against politically inspired prosecutions.”

Jeffrey A. Modisett, a former Indiana attorney general and a Democrat, said of the prosecution: “I think it’s deeply, deeply troubling, and I’m very saddened to say it’s indicative of the way too many investigations and prosecutions have taken place under this administration.”

[Gabi Hayes]

1. where are the freaking Dems?????

can you imagine the old tables turned thing?

they should be running hard on this fundamental corruption of our legal system.

did they focus group it and decide the public doesn't want to hear about it?
maybe if somebody TOLD them about it, and the depths which have been dredged, they might get as exercised about it as they have over Obama's 'bitter' remarks, his pastor problem, his inability to connect with white working people, etc.

When are they going to start addressing key issues in a forceful manner? do we have to wait for the nomination charade to play out?

[babylonsister]

2. They subpoenaed Rove; they're working on it...here's an article...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-rove26-2008may26,0,7411515.story

snip//

The Siegelman case has been a focal point of congressional Democrats who are pursuing questions about the Bush administration's alleged politicization of the Justice Department, including the removal of nine U.S. attorneys in 2006.

The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Rove last week to answer questions about those dismissals, as well as about the Siegelman case, after negotiations for a voluntary appearance broke down.

more...

[Gabi Hayes]

3. thanks, but I'm talking about TV ads, gasbagger appearances, etc.

that's where everybody gets their 'news'

they need to take a page from Luntz/Gingrich, and attack the pugs the way they did the dems fourteen years ago. quite an extensive blueprint. dems just don't know how to play the game the way the other side does.

they need to be reLENTless

[babylonsister]

4. Have you seen the DNC's latest? They've been really good imo,

if you consider attacking the presumptive nominee good. As for ads about Siegelman, I wonder how many Americans are ignorant of what's been going on with him.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x140081

[struggle4progress]

5. Maybe it's our job to get the word out

[annabanana]

6. The Siegelman thing gets very sticky, eventually, into K Street

and there aren't many on the Hill who are pure as the driven snow... R or D

[countryjake]

7. Kick