Comments (39)

P J Evans wrote on August 21, 2007 4:43 PM:

But will this actually result in anything more than another hearing and further requests for documentation?

Anonymous wrote on August 21, 2007 4:55 PM:

Now, more than ever, we need to know what is in those gwb43.com e-mails.

They are the work product of government employees, and, by statute, government property.

Al in Austex wrote on August 21, 2007 4:55 PM:

Why is this not a violation of the Hatch Act -each & every presentation given should have been a violation of the Hatch Act .Where do we stand on the OLC 's investigation of Rove 's minions like that gal at the GAO - Lorita Doane (?) turning our federal agencies into wholly owned subsidaries of the RNC ??!!!!
How about all the grief they gave VP Gore for fundraising from one of his federal office phones ??!!

Intercaust wrote on August 21, 2007 5:15 PM:

Sounds like more poilitcal theatrre from the Dems.

James02 wrote on August 21, 2007 5:30 PM:

"How about all the grief they gave VP Gore?"

No kidding. When does the media put this into perspective and tell it like it is, that the Bush administration has been magnitudes more partisan, more abusive of the laws and abusive of power than Clinton's people ever thought of being.

Robin wrote on August 21, 2007 5:33 PM:

Use of federal dollars for political gain....seems like I heard that exact thing in conjunction with Gov. Ryan's attempt to get another trial. Isn't that what he was convicted for? Wait I forgot that laws don't apply to this admin!

Talbotic wrote on August 21, 2007 5:36 PM:

Intercaust, its called oversight?

So when the repubics spent years and 100's of millions of tax payer $$ to prove that Pres. Clinton got a BJ from a staffer that was "Important", but the white house using tax-payer $$ to get party ppl elected/re-elected in violation of the LAW is "political theatre"?

Please wake up, turn FOX off and make your own decisions instead of just swallowing whatever BS is regurgitated from the RNC.

Moondancer1 wrote on August 21, 2007 5:39 PM:

How can this NOT be a violation of the Hatch Act when senior administration officials visited Christopher Shays's district in CT seven times in the six months before the election? I'd love to hear the admin's justification for the trip to present a $23 weather alert radio to an elementary school. C'mon.

RWN wrote on August 21, 2007 5:43 PM:

As in every investigation the next steps once the scope and depth of the alleged transgression are come a call for a special joint committee for investigation;

Question was the GW-Rove WH an enterprise conspiracy to overthrow the government? Wilkerson called it a cabal, was he referring to Cheney's 4th branch) or was he referring to Rove (Permanent Majority) or both?

All roads lead to impeachment but they also could lead to treason....

Mr Blifil wrote on August 21, 2007 5:47 PM:

It really is hard work after all!

jeffs wrote on August 21, 2007 5:59 PM:

Rove drafted the entire government into his effort to maintain Republican power.

Of course they used taxpayer money. But at this point, the most important thing that might come from hearings is the identification of political operatives.

I'd love to see Rove with a number under his chin, but, on a practical level, it's more important to identify and get rid of his minions.

kilo wrote on August 21, 2007 6:01 PM:

closer and closer it approaches. The day this leads to something concrete and damning. We all know it's there, we just need a few more pieces of the puzzle.

BlueInTexas wrote on August 21, 2007 6:09 PM:

WTF, Intercaust? They're investigating true theatre put on by the WH to support GOP congressman in an election hear

anon wrote on August 21, 2007 6:24 PM:

One element of this that I've never seen sorted out properly is the post-Ivan FEMA monies and the 2004 elections. It's pretty clear that the FEMA dumped on FL, AL, and GA (I think GA was included) was awarded to certain areas for elections purposes but, IIRC, in the various fraud cases that were just getting sorted out before the DOJ closed them, seemed to indicated that FEMA was being laundered through various faith-based recovery groups specifically to pay for GOTV, etc. efforts.

John wrote on August 21, 2007 6:53 PM:

Hopefully something will come of this and Rove will get it. But I ain't about to hold my breathe waiting for the Dems to do anything more than this than huff and puff.

Code: Spring, as in hope springs eternal! But I still ain't holding my breath!

don de drain wrote on August 21, 2007 6:55 PM:

I hope someone is closely watching ICE as they ramp up raids on employers to catch illegal immigrants. Would not surprise me in the least if ICE does not target companies who are owned and run by friends of George and Dick (and their minions) but comes down hard on companies that are not owned and run by friends of George and Dick (and their minions).

mo2 wrote on August 21, 2007 7:21 PM:

Somewhat related in that Monica Goodling's job was to hire cronies who would then go on to violate the Hatch Act, and related because it answers this question "Question was the GW-Rove WH an enterprise conspiracy to overthrow the government?"

This is horrifying: Family Security Matters boasts such right wing luminaries as Barbara Comstock, Monica Crowley, Frank Gaffney, Laura Ingraham and James Woolsey ....

An article by FSM says "The inadequacy of Democracy, rule by the majority, is undeniable"

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/hail-caesar-by-digby-ive-been-getting.html

EdNSted wrote on August 21, 2007 8:01 PM:

ah yes, the prestige...

"Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige"
-The Prestige (2006)

tom panian wrote on August 21, 2007 8:18 PM:

Hey all...

Gov George Ryan is facing serious jail time for these exact same misdeeds (the "use of state funds for political ends")(his latest appeal was denied today)They call it "racketeering" in Illinois (with jail time included) but in DC they call it a "possible violation of the Hatch act (with civil penalties only)...

Huh??? Where is the demand for equal justice???

anon wrote on August 21, 2007 9:06 PM:

Yup, compared to Rove and Co, George Ryan and Don Siegelman are rank pikers.

JD21 wrote on August 21, 2007 9:45 PM:

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Former_CIA_agent_US_to_attack_0821.html

You know another war is coming when the Republicans have got Fox blasting it. I think America (and the rest of the world) would be a lot better off if this President would focus a bit more on peace and a bit less on starting more wars. If he thinks Iran is a problem, why is war the only effective option this President can find? I don't think it's the rest of the world/everyone else any more. I think this President and his bunch of Fox-Republican officials and politicians are the problem.

Molly Ivins wrote on August 21, 2007 10:58 PM:

Raise Hell!!

Link on Audit Doubt wrote on August 21, 2007 11:58 PM:

I've bitten my tongue, but I would encouarge you to review the SAS99 discussion as it relates to GAGAS. GAO has some input. When you're looking at the audits done of this data, consider: US government auditors have standards that they use to provide them assistance. One assertion is that SAS99 is "only" used for financial audits of corporations. This is false. It is a general standard; it replaced SAS82; and SAS99, as you can see from the link below, is something that asks auditors to raise questions about auditing indicators. Read the article.

As to the issue of Rove: Auditors would have to explain why the financial data/electronic data/other data that they look at did or didn't trigger an increase in audit scope. Ask them: Once the problems with Rove were first learned, did the GAO, Congress, and President's auditors increase audit scope. If not, who is peddling nonsense that SAS standards do not apply?

Ask: Is someone saying, despite GAGAS, that the SAS guidelines can be ignored; and that this link below "doesn't apply", despite the GAO having input? If you're saying these standards can be ignored, I'll have to conclude someone is living in Alice's Wonderland.

Al in Austex wrote on August 22, 2007 12:07 AM:

So Intercaust - how much is the RNC paying you to troll. And did you find that job on Craig's List ?
You know you might want to consider prepayment for your next pay period- because pretty soon BIG Ed Gillsipe , Mehlman , & Card are going to need all available funds for legal defenses-involving civil , criminal & Impeachment matters.
And RWN I completely concur -when a party conspires to steal elections , and does all types of illegal acts to furher that theft - then that in theory & practice is an attempt to overthrow this government - yes that is TREASON - And what do we do with convicted traitors in war time ?

MikeN wrote on August 22, 2007 12:38 AM:

Maybe it's coming from a different political culture (Canada) but this seems SOP under a parliamentary system- "It's election season, get out the paving machines".
Cabinet ministers making spending announcements in targeted constituencies wouldn't raise many eyebrows- is it historically that different in America?

Slippery Slope wrote on August 22, 2007 1:25 AM:

But will this actually result in anything more than another hearing and further requests for documentation?
Posted by: P J Evans
Date: August 21, 2007 4:43 PM
***************************************
PJ,

I know this may be a little esoteric (well maybe not - actually very simple), but picture this:

Your driving down the road being the good citizen you are by doing the speed limit. All the while you are constantly being passed by cars going WAY over the limit. You approach a curve and suddenly you see the break lights of the last three or four cars that just went screaming past you. As you round the bend there is a Highway Patrol with his / her RADAR gun pointing in your direction.

Or...

There's thousands killed in a terrorist attack. Following that, being the law abiding citizen you are, you don't mind throwing away your just purchased 8 oz. (or whatever the current restriction is) tube of Crest or taking off your shoes to pass through airport security.

Or...

Our basis of democracy, free and FAIR elections, is called into question. Waxman and other oversight activities provide insight into anti Hatch Act activities, Election Fraud, or voter suppression schema....

For those others inclined to break the law the first protection for us is deterrence.

If they know there's that cop around the corner, or TSA employee checking their shoes, or proper Congressional oversight they're NOT likely to; speed around that corner, stuff explosives in their shoes, or ATTEMPT TO PULL THE SAME ELECTION STEELING SHIT IN THE 08 ELECTIONS!

If that is the only "actual result" of this oversight that alone is HUGE!

Anonymous wrote on August 22, 2007 1:38 AM:

Travel isn't half of the story. GSA alone oversees $60 BILLION in spending, including no-bid contracting. The true insinuation in the Rove/Jennings PowerPoint presentation to the GSA political appointees was "Spend the money where we assist Republican candidates."

What needs to be examined is where the bucks $$$ stopped, not just where the airplanes landed. Look at the no-bid contracts, their timing, and the timing of political contributions to key districts from recipients of government contracts and, in particular, bundled contributions including from their lobbyists. Look also at the RNC money and Bush campaign contributions. Look for kickback schemes, a la Abramoff.

Anonymous wrote on August 22, 2007 1:51 AM:

Okay, here's my problem...
The Hatch Act has been around since 1939. It was passed due to the blatant disregard for separating politics from the workplace even back then.

We are now (I believe this is 2007) investigating, once again, the blatant disregard for the same ethics violation. I am pretty sure this has been done numerous times, with much fanfare and tons of taxpayers time since 1939.

Apparently, Congress of both parties have been so concerned about the disregard for the law and misuse of taxpayers (yes, that's still us, folks) funds, and time wasted by those chosen to represent the taxpayers that neither party chose to enhance the penalties for about 60 years in order to put a stop to this activity. Instead, both parties get their feathers up like roosters, prance around in front of the voters crowing for all they're worth... warning and threatening the "bad guys".

Notice that NEITHER party actually has any desire for the behavior to stop. They just want their chance to disregard the law when it's THEIR turn.

Notice also that we taxpayers also believe that it's okay for this disregard to continue. If we didn't, we would be voting to put people in who really DID care about the taxpayers, and actually ACTED as though they were representing our interests... folks who would be changing the penalties... I mean putting penalties in place which would stop the abuse.

Didn't I hear, before these last elections, the Democrats telling us they were going to stop the abuse and clean up Washington. I think their actions are now showing that they only want to get rid of the other guys who are cutting into their profits...

BTW: All this talk about FEMA (excusing its ability to do a better job during and after Katrina) being a new agency is hogwash. I was reading about FEMA back in the early 70s when the agency was planning to take care of us after a nuclear war. It gave out emergency change of address forms to post offices all over the country. So it has been receiving millions of dollars for over 30 years to plan for catastrophic disasters... all payed for by us through congressional funding....

"We the People" really DO need to reassess just who we are continually putting into power and just HOW much our choices have been screwing it up for our children and grandchildren...

Slippery Slope wrote on August 22, 2007 2:31 AM:

Posted by:
Date: August 22, 2007 1:51 AM
***************************************8
While I don't disagree with most of what you write this smells of a third-party-spoiler meme, Republican troll hit to me.

My apologies if it is not. Screw you if it is.

But that said, your parting thoughts seem a little skewed. If the issue here is that Waxman is investigating Hatch Act issues and how they might have been used to influence the election, just how do we change who we put "into power"?

I think whether you are left or right leaning one is most likely to best influence a positive outcome (I know - very subjective here) by working to remove the corrupt within your party.

Pajarito wrote on August 22, 2007 8:45 AM:

DOI DOLE for VOTES

I know that in 2004-2006 DOI granted rich farmers' irrigation districts in CA and AZ federal bucks, with much local fanfare (Water 2025). Interestingly, grants went to predominantly white, conservative farmers groups. The local native american tribes, who also have irrigation districts badly in need of repair, were somehow overlooked. Hmmmm...wonder what the predominant voter registration is in the tribal populations?

All DOI agency staff are given periodic on-line tutorials on the Hatch Act.

anonoman wrote on August 22, 2007 11:32 AM:

RE: Date: August 22, 2007 1:51 AM
*****************************
This smells of a "rapid response" Republican troll, indeed. And, the logic is beyond repair.

Waxman is doing what he is supposed to do "for the behavior to stop." However, who in the Republican party can make the same claim? Hatch Act violations by Sen. Collins' staff are displayed online, albeit because they were mistakenly sent, along with the Republican voter caging lists, to a GWB dot.org address instead of the dot.com. What has Sen. Collins done?

So, you want more punishment? How about depriving those who violated the Hatch Act of their pensions? Will the Rovian Republicans support that?

Either the trolls are watching this site like never before, or NSA surveillance of Americans is being diverted for Republican political purposes. The former, I hope.

moondancer wrote on August 22, 2007 12:41 PM:

Waxman is nothing if not consistent. He's a bulldog whom I'm glad is on my side. I'd be more worried about him if I was turd than much else.

JEP wrote on August 22, 2007 1:36 PM:

Just have to say it once more...

...when Rove was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff following the 2004 election larceny, his dual roles literally rendered him a walking Hatch Act violation.

Maybe they figured they had better give him soe executive-privilege cover for his next round of politicizing policies.

But it looks like it backfired on them, especially in the DOJ firings,notably the Iglesias case.

If Rove first went to Bush as deputy staffer, and then ordered the political-office trolls (Goodling & Sampson) to add Iglesias to that working list, then Rove may be able to claim executive privilege. But to do so he implicates Bush in that very questionable, potentially illegal firing.

JEP wrote on August 22, 2007 1:38 PM:

Monica was skeptical,
She was too respectable,
For a real law school.
Late nights all alone back at Regent.
oh oH OH OH!!!

Ky-ull Sampson,
working for the Rovian,
Calls her on the phone.
"Can we get these a-ttorneys fired,
Mon- ick- uh?"

But as they put those names on the list,
A knock comes on the door.

Bang! Bang! Waxman's wooden hammer
came down upon the desk...
Bang! Bang! Waxman's wooden hammer
exposed what they had said...

Back in charge again.
Henry deals the cards for them.
Davis (Cannon, Lungren) gets annoyed.
Wishing to avoid an unpleasant Sce, e, e, ene,

He tells Henry "shut-up-and-cut-Monica,
A-break because she's blond,"
Whining when she sobs,
"It must not be So, o, o, o.."

But as she winks at those dirty-old-men,
He lifts the gavel high...

Bang! Bang! Waxman's wooden hammer
Came down upon the desk.
Bang! Bang! Waxman's wooden hammer,
Henry, you're the best!

P.C. BLOGOSPHERE-
said, "We found a secret here."
Henry stands alone
Painting testimonial pictures.
OOH -AHH, Uh Oh!!

Joe and Valerie, standing in the gallery
Watched old Scoot go free..
The judge does not agree
and he tells them So, o, o, o.

But as the cast walks out of the court,
A noise comes from behind.

Bang! Bang! Waxman's wooden hammer
Came down, that tough old slueth.
Bang! Bang! Waxman's wooden hammer
Made sure we knew the truth..

Whoa, oh, oh, oh. Wooden hammer.

Al in Austex wrote on August 22, 2007 2:11 PM:

Waxman can be counted on. - And be sure to disregard all Trolls .
What we have here is an ongoing investigation of a criminal enterprise aka the Bush Administration 43rd President. The over arching goal was to illegally subvert our system to glean and then maintain a permanent NEOCON Republican majority . All the rest of this -the TSP , the illegal war in Iraq, the voter caging , the corruption with Abramoff, and every other piece of this has been an attempt to subvert our fEDERAL Governmant to one party rule .I have absolute faith in our governments Checks n Balances. BUT WE MUST ALL HOLD STEADFAST IN OUR DEMANDS FOR REDRESS-
Gonzo & Cheney must be impeached by the end of this fiscal year -or we do need to look at a third way -perhaps third party . I still believe that the Dems will make us proud.
( Yet this is as close as my national government gets to becoming fASCIST without me getting my guns out .)
Ex VP Gore gave an impassioned speech three years ago about the neocon assault on our Civil Liberties . That particular speech was well attended & BTW Gore was introduced by EX Congressman Bob Barr- ( you may remember Barr-was a member of the IMPEACH President Clinton posse).
Meanwhile remember ignore all Trolls.

olo wrote on August 22, 2007 10:59 PM:

Yawn

olo wrote on August 22, 2007 11:01 PM:

I'll believe it when I see it. So far the Demz have done ZIP...meanwhile, I shall...

YAWN

Al in Austex wrote on August 23, 2007 4:07 AM:

olo,
ok keep yawning,and miss all the coming fireworks . Don't worry -Veracifer - will have clips of all the perp walks after the indictment for Hatch Act violations are issued ..lYRITA Doanes will be first...

Nilda Joy wrote on August 23, 2007 1:08 PM:

Mr. Waxman! You are my hero! For several years I have been concerned regarding what seems to be a slippery move(in U.S.A.) toward Facisism. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your dedication to fight for law and order and the DEMOCRATIC way of life.