LATE BREAKING CORRESPONDENCE REPORTS : FRED THOMPSON; SUCH A DEAL; GET REAL!
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- The Internet Team
Fred Thompson: Watergate Investigator or White House Mole?
- The Internet Team
Fred Thompson: Watergate Investigator or White House Mole?
It now appears that lobbyist Fred Thompson, who was minority counsel on the Watergate investigations committee, repeatedly gave Nixon's team an unauthorized heads-up.
Lobbyist Fred Thompson admits to his role as a mole for Nixon in his Watergate memoir, At That Point in Time (which, by the way, is pretty expensive these days):
When Thompson learned of Butterfield's admission, he leaked the revelation to Nixon's counsel, J. Fred Buzhardt .
"Even though I had no authority to act for the committee, I decided to call Fred Buzhardt at home" to tell him that the committee had learned about the taping system, Thompson wrote.
Most notably, the decades-long lobbyist "tipped off the White House that the committee knew about the taping system and would be making the information public." These famous Nixon tapes included the smoking gun conversation that led to his impeachment. Luckily, unlike the famous 18 minute gap, it wasn't lost.
And while he claims that he led the "inquiry that revealed the audio-taping system," the facts simply don't back that assertion up anymore. Here's the real story, since you won't get that from him:
On July 13, 1973, Armstrong, the Democratic staffer, asked Butterfield a series of questions during a private session that led up to the revelation. He then turned the questioning over to a Republican staffer, Don Sanders, who asked Butterfield the question that led to the mention of the taping system.
To the astonishment of everyone in the room, Butterfield admitted the taping system existed.
http://democrats.org/a/2007/07 /lobbyist_thomps.php
Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me; McCain Even Faces Fire in Home State
Home isn't always so sweet for Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, thanks to a small but vocal group of conservatives who feel the Arizona senator deserted them long ago.
Critics in the Grand Canyon state have been angry since McCain first ran for president in 2000 and cast himself as a middle-of-the-road alternative to President Bush.
They feel abandoned on a host of concerns dear to the party faithful, including:
--McCain's votes to require background checks for gun purchasers at gun shows; against Bush's early tax cuts; and for a patient's bill of rights, which opponents argued would have increased health insurance costs.
--The McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, which Christian broadcasters say limits what they can tell voters before elections.
--The senator's support for an immigration bill that was defeated by conservatives, who said it amounted to amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Republican Presidential Candidates Trip Over Themselves to Support Bush (Libby)
A poll from Survey USA found that more than 60% of Americans disagreed with Bush's decision to commute the sentence of Scooter Libby.
Meanwhile the Republican presidential candidates tripped over themselves to stand with Bush and against justice.
Fred Thompson, who helped raise over 5 million dollars for the Scooter Libby Defense Fund, praised Bush saying, "while for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President's decision."
Anthony Circosta, an Iraq war veteran, asked then-Governor Mitt Romney for a pardon, twice. When Circosta was 13 years old he'd shot a BB gun at the arm of a friend and had been convicted of a felony, even though his friend was completely unharmed. Circosta needed a pardon in order to become a police officer in Massachusetts, but was denied twice by Romney.
Today Mitt Romney praised Bush's decision to commute Libby's sentence.
Rudolph Giuliani, who fancies himself a "tough on crime" candidate, instantly caved when he heard about Bush's decision.
Rudolph Giuliani, who fancies himself a "tough on crime" candidate, instantly caved when he heard about Bush's decision.
Like Patrick Fitzgerald, Giuliani was a federal prosecutor at one time, though he may have changed his position on obstruction of justice.
http://democrats.org/a/2007/07 /republican_pres_1.php
http://democrats.org/a/2007/07 /republican_pres_1.php
This email was sent to 3589 members of 2008 Rapid ResponseListserv email address:
2008RapidResponse@groups.democrats.org Your reply will be sent to:
Internet_Team@dnc.org
Dear MoveOn member,
You've probably seen the news this morning: President Bush let Cheney aide Scooter Libby, the one man who was convicted for the lies around the Iraq war, go free. Paris Hilton served more jail time than he will.
Bush and Cheney think their administration is above the law. That's un-American, and this July 4th it's time for Congress to re-assert its constitutional authority and stop the administration's obstruction of justice.
Congress can start by demanding answers from the Bush administration about the Iraq war and their illegal spying program, and not backing down until they get them. Cheney won't testify? Subpoena him. He won't come? Hold him in contempt of Congress and send over the police. And if that doesn't work, impeach the guy. We just can't let President Bush and his administration dismantle our Constitution.
This July 4th, it's time to bring checks and balances back again. Click here to sign the petition and send a message to Congress to act now (the text of the petition is in the box to the right):
Then please send this message to your friends, family, and others who would be interested. This issue has everyone outraged—only 32 percent of Republicans agree with the president's decision.1
This isn't just about the Bush administration, of course. Law is determined through precedent. If Congress doesn't rein the Bush administration in, it'll change the rules for every administration that comes after.
And letting Libby off the hook is only the most recent example of a consistent Bush administration pattern of obstruction of justice.
When their illegal program of warrantless wiretapping was revealed, the Bush administration refused to answer subpoenas from Congress to testify about what, precisely, they were doing. When Attorney General Alberto Gonzales—the nation's highest law-enforcement officer—testified in front of Congress under oath, he lied and said the program didn't exist.2
And in retrospect, it's clear what Bush meant when he said this about the Plame case back in 2003: "[I]f there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if the person has violated law, the person will be taken care of."3 Last night, Bush certainly took care of Scooter Libby.
On Sunday, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy said he would hold Cheney and others in the administration in contempt of Congress if they refused to directly answer questions. Members of Congress are asserting their authority and standing up.
But they need to know the American people are behind them. Can you take a moment to click this link and send that message right now?
As they say in civics class, America is a country of laws, not of men. It's time for Congress to stand up and use them.
Let's celebrate Independence Day by reaffirming the basic, founding idea of our government: No one, not even the president of the United States , is above the law.
Thanks for all you do.
–Eli, Matt, Karin, Wes, and the MoveOn.org Political Action TeamTuesday, July 3rd, 2007
Sources:1. "Survey USA: 60% Opposed to Commutation," MyDD.com, July 2, 2007http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/7/2/21519/63365
2. "Gonzales Is Challenged on Wiretaps," Washington Post, January 31, 2006http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2735&id=10714-5694953-aUpjta&t=5
3. "President Discusses Job Creation With Business Leaders," Office of the White House Press Secretary, September 30, 2003http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2736&id=10714-5694953-aUpjta&t=6
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Dear Ed.,
Yesterday, despite overwhelming public opposition, President Bush commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby, the former White House Chief of Staff to Vice President Cheney who was convicted by a jury of lying about a matter of national security. As yet another example of the elitist attitude that defines Republicans in Washington, he shamelessly put partisan loyalties before the fundamental American value of fair and equal justice under the law.
Bush doesn't care that Libby was convicted by a jury of his peers and sentenced by an experienced federal judge, and he doesn't care that Libby's sentence was well within the sentencing guidelines set by Congress. He once again ignored over 70% of the American public and disregarded the legal process -- this time to help someone who has friends in the right places.
We can't stand for this, and that's why we're doing something to change it. We may not be able to change the President's decision, but we are fighting back -- we're working day and night to take back the White House in 2008 so that we can put an end to just this type of nonsense. Contribute now to help us change things in Washington:
The Republican presidential candidates long ago lined up in support of Scooter Libby and institutional Washington, and restoring the Constitution and the rule of law isn't anywhere near their list of priorities.
Rudy Giuliani, who brags of being tough on crime, prosecuted perjury cases as a lawyer and wanted mandatory sentences on people who commit perjury. But yesterday he went out of his way to support Scooter Libby, saying "I believe the decision was correct." In an interview with the Wall Street Journal editorial board he offered what they said "sounds an awful lot like an argument for a pardon," and said "I think the option the president really has is commutation."
Mitt Romney never granted a pardon, even for the most trivial offense. But when asked if he would consider pardoning Scooter Libby, Mitt Romney said "It's worth looking at that. I will study it very closely if I'm lucky enough to be president. And I'd keep that option open."
Yesterday he blamed the prosecutor and completely ignored the jury, saying that "the prosecutor knew that there had not been a crime committed."
Lobbyist Fred Thompson, the ultimate Washington insider, has helped to raise millions of dollars as a chair of Scooter Libby's legal defense fund. He said he reached out to Libby and offered to help -- "I called him up and offered to help him." He also said that he would issue a pardon and claimed that Libby's conviction was "a gross injustice ... and it ought to be rectified."
No more. Democrats will bring dignity back to the White House in 2008, but it's up to us to make sure that happens. Contribute today:
http://www.democrats.org/FelonFreed
Thank you for fighting back,
Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.-
Weston protesters demand President's impeachmentWeston Forum - Georgetown,CT,USAAbout 10 people gathered with signs and petitions at Weston Center Saturday morning, June 30, to call for the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice ...See all stories on this topic
MoveOn. Org revives Cheney ImpeachmentFree Market News Network - Pompano Beach,FL,USATalk of impeachment seems to have faded a bit from the campaign trail, by a common consensus of the leading candidates. But it may be coming back. ...See all stories on this topic
National-Security Breaches: Time for ImpeachmentScoop.co.nz - New Zealand
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MoveOn Puts Impeachment Back on the TableYahoo! News - USALeading bloggers have also launched a targeted campaign to specifically lobby Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee to put impeachment back on ...See all stories on this topic
On Impeachment Huffington Post - New York,NY,USAImpeachment is pain. Impeachment tears at the status quo and can't simply be laughed away with a cocktail (and commutation). Done wrong and it can bring ...See all stories on this topic
Jackson: Put impeachment back on tableWQAD - Moline,IL,USAJackson notes that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had withdrawn the notion of impeachment proceedings against either Bush or Cheney. ...See all stories on this topic
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MoveOn Puts Impeachment Back on the TableYahoo! News - USALeading bloggers have also launched a targeted campaign to specifically lobby Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee to put impeachment back on ...See all stories on this topic
Impeachment v. Ending The Iraq DebacleBy Big Tent Democrat (3) Impeachment would preclude discussion of of all other issues, most notably Iraq. Indeed, impeachment would be the worst possible development for ending the war in Iraq. It supplants getting out of Iraq as the centerpiece issue forMyDD - http://www.mydd.com/section/Diary
Impeachment by digby Has there ever been a presi...By digby(digby) But the risks are high that if you don't have a specific (and somewhat simple) crime to point to and a good chance of at least getting a quick impeachment vote in the House, that it could blow back pretty hard on the Dems. ...Hullabaloo - http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/
Removal of the President by Impeachment is Not a ChoiceBy Big Tent Democrat(TalkLeft) Some Left blogs are trying to avoid having to face what we are dealing with when it comes to impeachment - that it has no chance of removing the President. 17 Republican Senators will NEVER EVER vote to remove President Bush no matter ...- http://www.talkleft.com/
Impeachment Would Prevent a PardonBy Bob Fertik If we drive Bush out of office through impeachment, he won't be able to issue a pardon. And if he issues one on his way out the door, we can indict him for obstruction of justice and make him fly Air Force One to his fugitive home in ...Democrats.com - The Aggressive... - http://www.democrats.com
Another Reason for ImpeachmentBy archcrone This is yet another reason, in a long list of reasons, that Impeachment should never have been removed from the table, and must be put back into play. By the way, do not think that Fred Thompson is going to be any better than Bush at ...The Crone Speaks
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