Pelosi Not Trying To Block Rove Contempt Charge

Tomorrow will see the latest battle in the the Bush administration's war with the House of Representatives over congressional testimony from top White House aides.

Karl Rove, facing a subpoena to appear before a House Judiciary subcommittee, declared through his attorney last week that he refused to appear "on the grounds that Executive Privilege confers upon him immunity from process in response to a subpoena directed to this subject."

Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers (D-MI) responded by warning that the committee could move to hold Rove in contempt of Congress if he fails to show.

But now, liberal blogs are buzzing with an unsourced report that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is blocking Conyers from following through with the contempt charge. The rumor has spread far and wide on left-leaning blogs and message boards, from Democratic Underground to TPM Cafe.

And apparently it's false. Pelosi's communications director Brendan Daly sent us the following statement:

Those reports are completely untrue -- the Speaker has not urged the Judiciary Committee not to seek contempt charges against Karl Rove.

The committee can seek a contempt citation if it decides to do so. (Fyi, Henry Waxman's Oversight Committee is looking at a contempt citation against the attorney general over documents. The Speaker has no objections to that -- it's the committee's decision.)

A source with the House Judiciary Committee also denied Pelosi was opposing contempt charges.

Comments

[ofbbg]

This the same Nancy Pelosi whose foreign policy skills did us so much good in Syria? This the same Nancy Pelosi who won't allow a vote in the House to allow more exploration and drilling on promising oil and gas leases, coal to oil, nuclear power and oil shale deposits to help alleviate our foreign oil dependency? This is the same Nancy Pelosi who told us that the Dems had a concrete plan to lower gas prices from $2.49 a gallon? This is the same Nancy Pelosi who runs the House like a Party Secretary would run the Supreme Soviet? What did you all expect - Newt Gingrich? You might not have liked him, but he did get things done. Let's face it - you got exactly what you wished for - a Left wingnut Moonbat.

[inthedesert]

Pelosi truly is worthless!!! With the country long in a downward spiral, all the Dems do is stand there and wring their hands and LOOK concerned..........but they do nothing!!!! America is the joke of the world now.....we go forcing democracy on other nations but we don't even have it HERE anymore...truly a sad, sad situation. I know there is personal karma.....I am sure it's the same for nations........wow, scary thought isn't it???

[funwithwarcrimes]

Pelosi -- what a funny chick!
I wish we had put her in our parody... lol...
http://www.funwithwarcrimes.com

[cjmartinez]

Oh gee, thanks Ms. Pelosi, for not blocking checks and balances. Maybe you'd like to participate now?

[pesfb]

True, she hasn't blocked the committee from deciding to issue the contempt citation, but don't be fooled, old granma Pelosi HAS ordered that it not be enforced if issued. That's what a sleaze she is.

[oxford]

One thing that these comments have overlooked with regard to Pelosi, is that she is third in line behind Bush & Cheney. Three of a kind !!! Why would anyone think she would be any different ??

[funwithwarcrimes]

an excellent point, oxford.
Third in line so she is of course protecting them.
wow -- if she didn't and both of them were prosecuted, she could have been the first woman president. too bad she didn't have the balls to do it.
>
If ya need a little justice, stop on by -- they're all on trial right here:
http://www.funwithwarcrimes.com

[colossus]

I think a lot of people here commenting seem to have a listening/reading problem. She's stating she's not involved with the contempt citation. It's not her job or decision. If someone can prove that it is her job to do this (prove it, don't just say it repeatedly hoping to make it true), then by all means, let's get her moving. Please post citations of relevant law that say it's the Speaker's job. Rage is no excuse to stop thinking.

[brighterside]

Can someone post the phone number to Nancy Pelosi's office again? Maybe if we all decide to call her and pressure her to do her damn job once she might wake up and do something.

What is it with our democrat leaders? Why are they so pathetic? Im so disappointed in them and you are all correct in saying they don't have a backbone. Are they getting paid by the republican party hush money or have some hidden secrets about them that only the republicans know about?

It's disturbing to think that congress is just as bad as our president. Its more evidence that we as a nation, once great, is slowly in a state of decline and that I'm afraid there is nothing we can do about it.

[2bad]

bringing and following through with the contempt charge would do a lot to show this speaker and the democratic congress in general has at least a bit of a spine! they should absolutely pursue this. maybe it will fall the first domino that will bring this disgraceful administration to the full light for the american people.

[Torus34]

I believe that what we have with the Rove subpoena situation is an interesting opportunity to see how Congress views itself. To the extent that the House of Representatives can be considered to be an intelligent entity its actions, or lack thereof, can be indicative of its collective ego.

[Disclaimer: the term 'intelligent' is used in a very broad sense.]

[scooperss]

And hoyer was telling the truth when he said he wasn't working on FISA either. (sarcasm)

[jerryfromcalifornia]

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

WELL WE CAN ONLY HOPE.

[icenzi13]

I can not believe I actually thought Nancy Pelosi would actually do any good for the democratic party. She and the democrats have handed Bush everything he wants. What happened to Bush being a lame duck president? I hate these losers.

[Burkelbile]

Why are Californians too stupid to dump Pelosi? ... Why do they have a musclehead for a gov?

[alguien]

it's not californians. it's her district.

[nastyvirus]

Question asked and answered.

[jerryfromcalifornia]

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.


NOT SO FAST..........AT LEAST SHE'S A DEMOCRAT AND ARNOLD IS ALMOST ONE.

[aurora57]

I have such low expectations for this congress. Forget about Rove. Pelosi is the problem. Is there a way to impeach a speaker of the house?

I think I'm going to display my BO yard sign upside down.

[funwithwarcrimes]

he aurora57 -- do take that picture and send it to us -- we'll post it on our blog!
http://www.funwithwarcrimes.com