Siegelman: McCain Should Compel Rove To Testify

On Friday, former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman called on John McCain to compel his informal adviser Karl Rove to testify before Congress, and to remove Rove from any and all campaign capacities.

"Sen. McCain should distance himself from Karl Rove," said Siegelman. "And I think it is important and a smart political move [for him] to call on Rove to go and obey the law and to show up before the Judiciary Committee, to put his hand on the Bible, and to try to tell the truth - or at least plead the fifth."

Siegelman, whose controversial trial for corruption contained many Rove fingerprints, would not go so far as to claim that by employing Rove as a consultant, McCain was sullying his own good-government credentials. "That's a question that is left to the people and the electorate and they will have an opportunity to express themselves in November," he said.

But he argued that it was absolutely vital that the presumptive Republican nominee -- who, according to published reports, has received money from and privately consulted with Rove -- insist that the former Bush confidante respect Congress' investigative prerogatives. Barack Obama, he added, should do the same.

"I would like to see Senator Obama speak out on this issue and call on Congress to hold Rove in contempt because no man is above the law," he said. "And I think its set a terrible example going forward if we do not hold Rove accountable."

Siegelman's charges were laid out in an interview with the Huffington Post at the Netroots Nation conference in Austin, Texas. He promised to elaborate on the issue during a panel discussion later on Friday.

The remarks came just days after Rove refused to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee about his involvement on the former governor's dubious prosecution on corruption charges. Rove, who witnesses say helped orchestrate Siegelman's conviction, has ignored a subpoena to appear before the Committee, and is expected to face contempt charges in the coming days.

Rove has argued that he is not required to testify before Congress due to executive privilege, which, he says, allows the president to receive political advise without the fear that it might one day be made public.

"It is ironic that Rove is now claiming executive privilege in saying he cannot be forced or compelled to testify on things he advised the president on," said Siegelman. "Well, is he now claiming that he did advise the president on my prosecution?"

Siegelman was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in 2006 under a bribery conviction for allegedly providing a state appointed medical position in exchange for funds to help a education-lottery program. Months ago, a Republican campaign volunteer issued sworn testimony that she overheard a phone conversation suggesting Rove was linked to his case. Other matters - ranging from what appeared to be politically driven prosecution, flimsy evidence and highly unusual (if not legally unethical) court proceedings - cast doubt on the case. And in late March 2008, Siegelman was released from prison on bond pending his appeal. His trip to Netroots Nation was the first outside of Alabama.

Comments

[flatus]

You would think that whenever a nominee for Attorney General sits before Congress that one of the primary questions asked of that candidate would be, "Will you at all times enforce Congressional subpeonas?". Thanks to the votes of Dems Schumer and Boxer, Mukasy is now busy doing nothing about it. How's that for shooting yourselves in the foot, eh Congress?

[knighthowl]

Perhaps that question should have been asked, but we usually assume that the attorney general will enforce the law. If a nominee must be asked about Congressional subpoenas, then he must be asked about every single other law on the books.

Since Mukasey refuses to enforce the law, he should be impeached. He is near the end of a long line of officials who warrant impeachment, but we need to start somewhere.

[Lemeritus]

Interesting that you should bring up the impeachment of Mukasey.

The very case that tested Congress' authority to issue subpoenas and warrants (McGrain v. Daugherty, 1927) concerned numerous allegations that the U.S. Justice Department was being mismanaged by its administrator, Harry Daugherty, the Attorney General of the United States. The case revolved around Daugherty's brother, who refused to comply with a subpoena to testify and who was held on warrant.

The Court found that, while the power to investigate was not explicitly given to Congress by the Constitution, it was traditionally recognized as implicit in the legislative function since it is a means to obtain necessary information. Further, it concluded that the Senate acted within its powers when it authorized a committee to investigate Daugherty and that the subpoena was a means to perform a legislative function since the purpose of the inquiry was to determine whether the attorney general and the Department of Justice—subjects of congressional regulations and appropriations—were properly performing their duties.

[Lemeritus]

Whoa! Feinstein, NOT BOXER! (Some of us in California are very sensitive about this!)

Shumer and Feinstein championed Mukasey on the flimsy excuse that, left to his own devices and faced with a Senate recess, Bush might appoint someone much worse. The bottom of the barrel has apparently not yet been reached since Mukasey really does outshine Ashcroft in the lengths to which he will go to subvert the Constitution and Gonzales in the dark arts of legal hookum to make it happen.

Make no mistake... if asked "Will you at all times enforce Congressional subpeonas?", he would lie.

[Eoin45]

I'm pretty sure it was Schumer and Feinstein not Boxer that gave us Mukasy.

[tinarm]

Seiglman is right, but the McCain campaign can't even keep the RNC, Lobbyist, or his own staff in check. How's he going to have any influence over Rove? Please, this administration had 6 years of the justice dep. doing what ever they wanted as well as the republican senate. Now they just stall everything. I'm looking forward to the day when the entire truth comes out. It won't be anytime soon, but when it does it will probably make Nixon look good.

[edwcorey]

Odd, isn't it, that patriotic religious conservatives like Bush, Cheney and Rove don't dare defend their actions under oath or in public, yet are so anxious to pry into the lives of American citizens, their conversations, and what books they read? You would think that, for all they've done for America, they would be proud to accommodate the people by answering their questions. Of course, when Bush et al., talk about serving the people, their idea is to toss them up like a tennis ball and smash them with their "racket." Speaking of which, why not haul the bunch of them in on RICO violations?

[meanguy]

shouldn't siegelman be directing this to the HOUSE judiciary committee CHAIRMAN, mr conyers? has anyone told him that obama and mccain are SENATORS?

[bdl0715]

Can Bush invoke Executive Privilege once President Obama takes office? I say lif they can't get cooperation now, then wait until the Obama administration takes office, then appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the whole mess and let the indictments flow.

[JulieKay]

Everyone should contact their Congressional representatives. Also contacting the press about covering the story.

A link for media contact information:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/1084

[bdl0715]

I have written my Congressman, Ray LaHood about this type of thing, including impeachment, and he thinks the Bush group has done nothing wrong is doing a fine job.

He is retiring, but they we'll have a young, 26 year old Congressman that thinks Bush is great also. He's having Bush come to campaign for him next week. It is very unlikely my district will ever elect a Democratic Congressman.

[PuppaX]

Good for Siegelman. It's bad enough that Rove is getting a pass in the media; why should McCain's relationship with him be given a pass?

[Teritt]

I hope I live long enough to see Rove punished for his part in bringing down our country. But my luck, he'll turn into another Ollie North getting paid millions by the neo cons for speeches.

[wizardofoz]

this democratic congress is a joke,a do nothing joke,the judiciary comittees are a joke,the leaders
are a joke,uphold your oath of office,and arrest this excuse for a human being NOW.

[BBackSoon]

A not so funny Joke!

Something in the air or the water inside the beltway that makes people forget right from wrong.

[marymansour]

I voted for Seigelman but he will have to cool his jets until the entire Bush administration has gone from Washington and Barack Obama is in office. He will never get justice under a GOP administration.

[GolfingDevil05]

Don Siegleman is making a very smart move here. Tying the albatross that is Karl Rove around John McCain's neck could prove to be a problem for McCain. If he can't get Rove to do it, then he's an ineffective voice in his own party. If he refuses to do it, he's aiding and abetting. If he gives up Rove, he'll piss off all of those to whom Rove is a hero. There's no way this works out good for McCain.

[Soothsayer08]

Yes, what is happening with the Conyers weak attempt to fein a plan to bring Rove in? Nothing as usual?

[incontempt]

Every republican who wish's to get reelected should stand for justice and seek the truth if they are to be trusted or given the job... would it be too much ask for, a little integrity? Do Your job and represent your people...not your persons.

[kay]

They imprisoned a governor for political advantage. Just let that sink in a minute.

What chance do you and I have?

[solid]

If they want to come after us, we have no chance. Let's hope they get distracted by counting their money after 7 plus years of the W imperial rule.

[ChiGuy]

The h-eel with that.
Contempt. Now.

[ChiGuy]

Oops. H-ell. :)

[IowaKid]

What does Rove have to hide. He's good at spouting off big mouth all the time and actually gives me the impression he thumbs his nose at law and justice. But then again what do you expect out of the Bush administration.