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

[anney]

Sam Stein

What possible ramifications would Obama's giving the go-ahead on the questioning of Rove HAVE?

If he were to remove the "executive privilege" cloak from Rove, does he fear that his own presidency would possibly be at risk (of whatever) if his staff can't claim executive privilege to avoid investigations? I tought Obama was going to dispense with Bush's Unitary Executive structure. Is he changing his mind?

[SimplyBkuz]

I think the ramifications are more political than sinister. That's also a problem in my book. So we're supposed to just let them get away with all the death and destruction they have caused, just so the republicans can't argue that we're going on a witch hunt. Either way, it's wrong. These people need to be held accountable for what they've done.

[anney]

In my disgust, I ask myself if Obama's "scared of what people will say" if he goes after the war-criminals and Constitution-violators. When others jump in and tell me I don't understand the "political ramifications" that you mention (and I truly hadn't thought of those), I just say, "Yeah, I do

It boils down to the same thing I learned in my very conservative small town growing up. You have to be very careful because people can ruin you if you give them something to talk about." It is SUCH a deadly control if one fears what people will think or say. It snuffs out creativity and even ethics.

Anyway, I suppose you're right, but it's a ramification that I think is given WAY too much weight, and nobody of principle should give it the time of day..

[jinxed]

If there is no accountability for the last 8 years even after the fact, we are doomed to repeat the whole debacle in the future and maybe not so far future. Do we really want to do this again?

[proudloudlib]

Can you just wait until the AG is confirmed? Any go-ahead now would definitely imperil his confirmation. The President is walking a very fine line, and we need to back off a little. There are things that need to be done, and this issue need to be handled by WH counsel and the (new) Justice Department, based on legal principles, and not become the consuming narrative of the next weeks or months.

[Suzanne525]

Yesterday, Gonzales said they did nothing wrong, as they "acted in good faith, in the best interests of the American people" (paraphrasing).

I think that's why Bush didn't pardon anyone, 'cause they really don't believe they did anything wrong!!

Kinda like OJ: "But, your Honor, I didn't know I was doing anything wrong!!"

[anney]

ANY time a political figure swears he did something "in the best interests of the American people", I want to vomit!

[Big0725]

Apparently Karl doesn't realize that the ONLY person that can grant executive privilege is the sitting president, whom I don't think is going to be overly sympathetic to his cause.

[frantaylor]

One wonders how the sitting president can grant privilege to someone who doesn't work for him.

[theone718]

Obama should continue to "look into it" until Feb 2nd comes and goes.

[mamala4]

It's about time.

[greatlardini]

Slap the bracelets on him!!

[KOisGod]

Set an example Barack, say he has to appear, and add

Bring your toothbrush and a change of cloths. Our prison system has had those "extra" niceties suspended, because you know, there's no money left because the republican's stole it all.

[proudloudlib]

"I'm sorry, but we can't answer that question yet because we don't have an Attorney General because the Republicans held it up. You'll have to wait."

[Petey131]

Look into what? Rove should be in prison with Bush, Cheney, and company!

[honeydiva]

People tend to forget that the President is a lawyer as well...Rove shouldn't be so happy. Taking names...

[Bitsko]

"With Bush out of office, Rove instructed his lawyer, Robert Luskin, to ask the Obama White House whether the same privileges currently exist."

You're kidding me, right?

[carlgt1]

he should be arrested, interrogated, and waterboarded if necessary! ;-)

[Suzanne525]

And THEN ask him if he thinks it is 'torture'! Ha.

[LADY2CNTX]

Hilarious . . . but good idea!

[JessWonderin]

In fact, I'm no lawyer . . . but neither was Gonzo, in action . . . so . . .

Karl, "NO", please report TODAY, and bring a change of underwear . . . .

[Heavy]

TreasonousPig

[KOisGod]

will soon squeel as he's being ridden by bubba in cell block 09.

[Suzanne525]

LOL. Wait, what Bubba are you talking about ?????

[hialoha]

Transgressions and transparency are both on the table to site example.