Obama White House Looking Into Rove's Claim Of Executive Privilege

Subpoenaed by Rep. John Conyers to testify before Congress, Karl Rove has left the debate over whether or not he is protected from testifying to Barack Obama.

The former Bush strategist had previously refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee by claiming that executive privileges allowed him to keep his conversations with the president private. With Bush out of office, Rove instructed his lawyer, Robert Luskin, to ask the Obama White House whether the same privileges currently exist.

Asked for an answer at the White House briefing session, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama's legal counsel was still looking into it.

"The office of White House counsel is studying those issues and will advise us when we have a recommendation," Gibbs said.

It is a fairly clever maneuver on Rove's behalf -- forcing Obama to make a judgment on executive privileges that could have ramifications later in his presidency. But it is also, probably, the only move he could have made, beyond acquiescing to Conyers' demand and traveling up to Capitol Hill.

Comments

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...whenever watching a rerun of "Fargo", I enjoy imagining karl in that wood chipper.

[Telemachus]

"All that, just fer a little bit o' money ... and here it is a nice day, too."

[FernandoRuiz]

That picture of Rush was taken while he was trying to hide from Eric Holder

[kareemachan]

Um, you mean Karl?

[Telemachus]

They're just like Batman and Bruce Wayne. Except not.

[Stalling]

He meant Rush.

[karen1p]

Hold Obama accountable for transparency. He said he wants to us to be "true to our founding documents." I do believe the Constitution is a founding document. Obama, we need you to deny this man this privilege.

Call the administration and let him know just what this means to all of us.

Hold Obama accountable. That is the only way this government will ever be "of the people" any longer. Hold all of them to the fire.

[UWSDave24]

I just want to be in the front row cheering when this creep makes his perp walk in handcuffs. That would be beautiful.

[Whinger]

Karl's a shrewd little fox, he's trying to give the administration a way out of having to prosecute!

[karen1p]

We need to call Obama and tell him to deny this manipulation.

[solarian]

execuitive privilege only works when you are president and bush isn't

[thereWego]

You have to have proof or probable cause of a crime to begin an investigation. You can't just go on a fishing expedition and then hope you catch something or someone (Scooter Libby). The entire thing needs to be dropped and get on with business. We're paying those people on Capital Hill to do a job not poke around in the hopes of finding some "evil wrongdoing". I am so sick of them trying to play 'gottcha' every time they turn around. Get to work for 'F' sake and do something constructive! Please!!!!

[mrpotatohead]

I have to admit that the guy has a big pair - and he knows it.

It should be interesting to see whether or not the big pair that got him into his predicament can get him out. He's won every game of chicken so far.

[acacia72]

"He's won every game of chicken so far."

Point taken, but there's always v*gilante just*ce.

[american-dolt]

string em up

[kteachums]

What was the word used to describe him? Please, no type of p p p privilege for him. Has he ever felt any regret for any of the stuff he brought out during the campaign? I think we should can this guy.

[MasterHurrikane]

that picture says it all... rove just won't go the hell away.... sheesh already!!!!!!

[MaryKathO]

A simple question for Rove and others obstructing justice...If you have done nothing wrong, why all the legal maneuvering?

[egosheep]

Because this is America, and if you can afford a lawyer, you try to get your moneys worth. I hate rove with a passion, but that's a bit like asking why Clinton had a defense attorney, and why he was fighting impeachment. If he had nothing to hide, why all the legal wrangling?

Take the evidence and mount a case against rove and send him to jail... we'll see how well he can maneuver.

[Archivist1000]

I am amused at some of these comments: seems that many people have bought into this Media created persona of Rove as some being that is so much more intelligent, and savy and knowlegeable than anyone else .. come on people ... his 'mystical powers' don't exist, he is a man and is not some untouchable being!

He has a lot to answer for, he was a part of the past 8 yrs of lawlessness in the bush/cheney administration and I am glad that the Obama admin aren't wasting any time cleaning up the dirty corners left behind by bush.

[gjefferson]

Obama and three more like him is not smart enough to get Rove.

[FrogPrince]

You underestimate Obama's bandwidth. Double check his resume if you haven't seen it in a while. Pay close attention to the part about him landing the job of President of the United States at age 47. And oh, he's the first black president to boot. Rove is certainly intelligent but Obama is a notch above. He practically resonates due to his level of intelligence..

[msjimmied]

But he can always hire what he needs. It's good to be the prez.

[solarian]

wrong again any body can be gotten to all depends on how bad you want them

[bbrecht]

Transparency right? Bring the dogs to court.