A Constitutional Head-butt
The News and Observer headline – “Executive Privilege Showdown Looming” – may sound boring, but it could be the start of some real fireworks.
The Democrats sent a little subpoena over to the White House, demanding to see records about “The Bush Administration’s terrorism-era warrantless wiretapping” and a few other things. The President sent it right back. And said no way. So the Democrats issued an ultimatum. Give us what we want in ten days. Or else. Or else what? In effect, they’re going to charge the President with violating the law by using Executive Privilege as a smokescreen. Imagine the media feeding frenzy when lawyers – from both sides – troop down to the Supreme Court to argue that case. We haven’t seen a constitutional head-butt like this between Congress and the White House since Watergate.
The Democrats will wax eloquent about the public’s right to know and the President will argue he’s standing up for an important constitutional principle to protect the sanctity of the Oval Office. Unfortunately for the President, it’s liable to sound like Executive Privilege is the political equivalent of taking the Fifth Amendment. Which is the last thing President Bush – with a 28% job approval – needs.
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A Constitutional Head-butt
The News and Observer headline – “Executive Privilege Showdown Looming” – may sound boring, but it could be the start of some real fireworks.
The Democrats sent a little subpoena over to the White House, demanding to see records about “The Bush Administration’s terrorism-era warrantless wiretapping” and a few other things. The President sent it right back. And said no way. So the Democrats issued an ultimatum. Give us what we want in ten days. Or else. Or else what? In effect, they’re going to charge the President with violating the law by using Executive Privilege as a smokescreen. Imagine the media feeding frenzy when lawyers – from both sides – troop down to the Supreme Court to argue that case. We haven’t seen a constitutional head-butt like this between Congress and the White House since Watergate.
The Democrats will wax eloquent about the public’s right to know and the President will argue he’s standing up for an important constitutional principle to protect the sanctity of the Oval Office. Unfortunately for the President, it’s liable to sound like Executive Privilege is the political equivalent of taking the Fifth Amendment. Which is the last thing President Bush – with a 28% job approval – needs.
Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.