If subpoena power means anything and it's not just meaningless window dressing like every other law the Bush crime family decides to flout, eventually somebody is going to have to go to jail for defying it. Josh Marshall is begging for it to be Sara Taylor. According to Alex Koppelman at Salon, Taylor is going to appear on Wednesday:
We just got off the phone with Tracy Schmaler, a spokesperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee's Democratic majority. Schmaler told us it is her understanding that -- despite President Bush's invocation of executive privilege in regards to the testimony of former White House staffers Sara Taylor and Harriet Miers about the ongoing U.S. Attorneys scandal -- Taylor will still appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Schmaler says she learned that from Taylor's lawyer, W. Neil Eggleston, earlier Monday afternoon. When called for confirmation by Salon, Eggleston was unavailable. He has not yet returned a message left seeking comment.
This despite the fact that Bush's language to Taylor was rather unequivocal:
"I respectfully request that you inform Ms. Taylor that the president has directed her not to provide this testimony," Fielding wrote in a letter Monday to Neil Eggleston, her lawyer. Eggleston did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Will Taylor cite executive privilege? And if so, will the Senate hold her in contempt and cart her off to jail? Wednesday should be an interesting day with Conyers holding hearings into the Libby pardon and Taylor appearing before the Judiciary Committee. Marcy and I will be in DC and along with Christy we will do our best to live blog all of it.
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Zed?
Maybe this young woman is trying to redeem herself for having besmirched my family name.
I doubt it, but maybe.
I told the folks downstaris. They’ll be along shortly. At least the ones who aren’t still arguing about Independent Prosecutors being a better tactic than impeachment.
jesus, do they all look like that - the wild and vacant eyes and the long blond hair? Or is it only Goodling and Taylor?
bilzim @ 4
Seems to be a bit of a mold, doesn’t it?
dakine01 @ 2
One of either Linda Tripp or Paula Jones had a lawyer with my last name. Shudder.
the fact that she *wants* to testify makes me think that she doesn’t plan to say anything injurious to the administration.
Evil twin sisters… on advise of counsel…
Someone removed the caption on the picture:
“Welcome to the Hotel California”
Remember Fawn Hall?
Sooner or later we’ll get an honest one, whose conscience won’t let her continue the cover up.
No offense, but that woman is a moonbat.
Jane Hamsher @ 5
$25 to FDL to help break the mold.
She says that she will “appear” not that she will “testify”- should be interesting.
Jane Hamsher @ 5
I suspect she also attended the same training for stonewalling Congress while pretending to testify as Goodling.
jayt @ 7
Or, like Scooter, she has horrendous phobia about jails.
Can’t get our hopes up, she worked for Karl…
unless she has a deathbed conversion
Bay State Librul @ 16
You can lead a horse to water…
P J Evans @ 3
We’re here!
is that a police mugshot or something? That can’t be a naturally posed photo :P
Interesting, especially if Taylor is willing to provide more testimony more than ” I don’t recall remembering who I didn’t talk to about the subject when I forgot ever working at the White House.”
I want to see Bush try and stop her from testifying, What’s he gonna do? Send her to Gitmo for appearing before the United States Congress after being subpoenaed to provide testimony in an investigation?
FYI-
The word should be “flout” as in openly disregard, “flaunt” means to show off conspicuously.
Perhaps the Decider is losing his clout. If Cheney had instructed her not to testify, she would now be in hiding instead of preparing for Wednesday.
Do not arouse the wrath of the Great and Powerful Cheney!
don’t flout yer clout.
I’m betting that she’s willing to testify because she doesn’t really know anything.. or she does and has been offered an immunity deal, but more likely the former I think. “Um.. well, I came into work one day, and all those emails just.. um.. vanished. The cleaning crew must’ve taken them”
She has blue thingys where her eyes should be.
It’s all for you, Damien!
IIRC Sara Taylor was Jack Abramoff’s conduit into Rove and the White House. She is a lot things but repentant I’m guessing is not one of them. Maybe she’ll show up with the dreaded DOJ Syndrome, you know the one that afflicted Sampson, Gonzales, and Goodling with selective bad memory. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
“New enemy” lives among us: Bush
Ottawa Citizen, 9/6/06
courtesy of Columbia Journalism Review
Definitely feels like good time for me to donate again to your continued great work.
Woot !
Still waiting for a John Dean moment:
“tapes? did you say there are TAPES of the president’s conversations?”
After 2008, Bush won’t be having Executive Privilege to invoke and maybe she has that figured out.
I mean, Paul McNulty, who got shut out of the loop on the attorney firings in favor of Goodling and Sampson, and resigned over his supposed ‘revelation’ that his kids had to go to college someday, so he had to quit (even though he had no new job lined up). For *that* hearing, I thought that we’d actually get some real info - but - not at all.
I think that the R’s got to McNulty, and could easily get to Taylor, with a simple - “hey, you want to ever get a good job again? Well, we could help you with that, or…. It’s up to you”.
Getting her sworn in has its benefits, even if she intends to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights. She can’t just do it willy-nilly, there has to be a reason. Clearly she’s not the intellectual equal of the Senate Judiciary Committee (at least the Democrats), and I’m sure they’ll be able to squeeze misstatements and contradictions out of her, maybe even some tangible facts. And it should make for good TV.
Hugh @ 26
I think that was Susan Ralston — who also resigned to spend some quality time with her lawyers.
Hugh @ 26
I’m not getting my hopes up.
.
.
too much
I did Google Images
http://images.google.com/imgre.....n&sa=G
Sara Marie Taylor (born September 15, 1974) was Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Political Affairs at the White House, making her one of George W. Bush’s top political aides. She reported directly to Karl Rove. After the House and Senate Judiciary Committees approved subpoenas for her to testify regarding her involvement in the U.S. Attorney Scandal, she resigned from the Bush administration citing a desire to seek employment outside of government. [1] [2] [3]
Another blonde for the GOP psychophants to drool over.
Hmmm. She’s described as a “loyal Bushie”, but testifying in front of Congress when Bush is telling you not to doesn’t sound terribly loyal to me. I’m not sure what’s going down here. She could be willing to fall on her sword for Team Bush. Or she may be trying to expunge “resigned in disgrace” from her resume. It could go either way.
Hugh @ 26
Was it Taylor or Ralston?
rwcole @ 29
“Sorry, pursuant to Executive Privilege, we store them in the White House incinerator.”
The Bush administration operates above the law and below hell.
Jane Can’t wait for your live blogging and thank you for all you do FDL crew.
Bustednuckles @ 39
Ralston Purina comes to mind.
Blue thingy says no.
rwcole @ 29
What’s really needed are tapes of Cheney’s conversations. Bush only talks about topics like “what time he wants his bike ready”, “what he wants to have for lunch”, “what movie he wants to see next”, or “when he can go on vacation again”.
putting a check in the mail for work beyond well done.
As for Tracey Flick, I think if she shows, she’ll plead the 5th or play the Gonzo rag, over and over. What was the record for him - “I don’t recall” X 78?
rwcole @ 13
If she asserts her Fifth amendment privileges, wouldn’t it be the first executive branch employee to assert it during congressional hearings?
OT but what could turn into the first major typhoon in the Western Pacific is developing east of the Philippines. Up to this time there was what I think was a pressure trough east and south of Japan that was preventing a good rotation to start. This has moved further north and the Coriolis effect is kicking in. Anyway the current picture is here:
http://www.goes.noaa.gov/FULLDISK/MTIR.JPG
Enjoy.
Blub @ 19
It was probably after the first sip of Monica Goodling’s new batch of kool-aid.
Jane Hamsher @ 5
You mean, like ergot?
Jane Hamsher @ 5
Yes, this is ‘the look’ of your true Kool-Aid guzzlin’ ‘conservative’ who supports Bush to the bitter end…and bitter is what it will be.
We need to be ready to fight the inevitable ’stabbed-in-the-back’ meme with a strong one about America’s Greatest Conservative President and what he meant to our nation. What the policies, that policies not personality, he tried to implement meant to the poor, the disadvantaged, the middle-class everyone except the uber-rich. His true ‘base’.
-ck- @ 33
Thanks, must remember to look things up before going public with my ignorance. *g*
Hugh @ 46
There’s nothing quite like looking at a Bucky Fuller layout of the earth.
james @ 37
Big difference here, is the drooling psychophants are mostly on the HJC and this is the SJC. Even most of the Rs on the SJC seem to be somewhat embarrassed by all the idiots in the DoJ and WH. I think that’s why only Dems showed up for the hearings with Todd Graves and AL-VINNN!.
egregious @48 –
ergot, maybe. what’s that black mold that makes homes unliveable?
I think if I were questioning Ms. Taylor, I would establish her abilities which got her to the level of being in the WH. One of those line to establish would be the quality of her memory and her ability with names and faces, her personal skills which translate in the political arena.
Considering what we’ve seen to date, that tactic may have to be used on a regular basis to immunize the Committee from having to hear ridiculous Libbyesque dissembling.
Hugh @ 46
that looks huge
egregious @ 48
hehehe
Calling Mr. Owlsley
Jane Hamsher @ 5
Looks like a mugshot the wide eyed scared expression I think she is testifying because she just realized that she is not Scooter.
snowyegret @ 53
Ergot consumption can cause hallucinations. It might be what’s in the koolaid.
dakine01 @ 52
Ya think she’ll have an Olive Oyl voice???
snowyegret @ 53
Stachybotrys (? sp)
What exactly is it that Tony Snow provides, anyway? It’s really silly.
Likely testimony:
Committee: “Ms Taylor, were you employed as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Political Affairs in the White House?”
“I have no recollection”
Committee: “Have you ever met or spoken with Mr Karl Rove?”
“No”
Committee: “Cheney?”
“Who?”
Can some both assert executive privilege and the 5th amend. at the same time?
rwcole @ 36
Hello K Street?
snowyegret @ 53
Cheney?
I think she has to appear, at very least, to show compliance with the subpoena, and then assert a privilege. At very least, that gives Leahy and the Senate Dems ample time to express just how much bullshit they think the privilege is.
One interesting aspect of the whole ‘thirtysomething Bushies’ thing is that you end up with a bunch of young people who probably don’t want their asses thrown in jail, and aren’t necessarily guaranteed the kind of soft landing offered to Scooter.
Careful talking about mold and fungus
I was communicating with someon about an aspergillis lawsuit and researching various sites having to do with mycotoxins and my computer started acting weird.
I was getting pinged by Dod and DoE probes.
Mycotoxins are biowarfare agents also.
egregious @ 64
imo, he’s a slime mold.
She won’t aanswer anything, I’m sure of it. Just looking at her you know she took the pledge. Everyone who works for Bush signs the pledge.
Gosh. I’m sounding so negatively lately….
argosfalcon @ 63
I thought only the WH can assert privilege?.. I think all she can do is not show up, and argue that her absence was to comply with a WH directive and the terms of her former employment there, or, alternatively, she can show up and either testify or take the fifth. I may be wrong, but I don’t think that SHE can show up and say “I refuse to answer your questions because I assert Executive Privilege”
argosfalcon @ 63
I believe the rule is executive privilege for odd numbered questions and the 5th for even numbered ones. Not remembering can be used for variety or if you lose count.
Elliott @ 60
Yeah, that stuff. Although egregious’ answer is good, too! Cheney … what would be the medical, i.e. Latin designation?
ccmask @ 70
Wonder if they have to perform it in the crypt like the Skull and Bones folks.
The one for North Korean leaders, and those like them?
the pledge I mean, or the brand of cool aid
her…eye-like…things…are creeping me out.
I’m afraid she’ll start babbling about Cthulu and sprout giant tentacles and drag Leahy off to some nether-world during the hearings.
And Tony Snow will deny it ever happened.
snowyegret @ 73
Cheneybotrys
I have heard the word “impeachment” at least 10 times today so far on MSM news. Also, all day today, there has been nothing but talk about getting out of Iraq. Seachange. Is Gates throwing Cheney under the bus???
snowyegret @ 73
Malus whackoensis?
The following excerpts from Sara Taylor’s attorney give us a glimpse of what her testimony will be like:
Koolaid fersure.
I for one am looking forward to the glorious praises to Sara sung by the all male GOP chorus. Should be entertaining.
“My dread dark master forbids me to testify! Gaze into my dead zombie eyes, O senators, and know depair!!!”
So if she shows up but doesn’t answer any questions can she still be held in contempt?
noen @ 82
I forgot about that half of the production (groan)
Will she be asked about the Rove Abramhoff connection? Will she pretend she can’t remeber? If another Republican goes up to testify saying they can’t remeber we should ask them are all Regency University, Federalist Society, Loyal Bushies hired for their loyalty first ahead of their competency (which should include memory) to do the job. This will force the MSM TV pundits to talk about “mean Democrat questions” which makes us look strong even if we don’t get answers. I like setting things up for the next move. Also we raise the question of the honesty of all future testimony from these 3 groups in the public mind unless they come clean.
puppethead @ 32
I suspect that she’s enough of a real operator that, unlike Monica, she doesn’t need to have it explained to her that the Fifth Amendment isn’t a note excusing her from class, but I hope they do it anyway. Our Dems need to understand that making an administration stooge repeat “I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might tend to incriminate me” or even “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination” helps to get the concept of “incriminating” into the public mind.
And isn’t it ironic that one of the reasons we have the Fifth Amendment is to remove the incentive for torture? That is, if you can’t be forced to testify against yourself in open court, there’s much less motivation to coerce a confession behind closed doors.
“Fool of a senator! You cannot cite me for contempt! None of your feeble mortal prisons can contain my undead visage! My dread master will feed on your liberal entrails!”
I was disappointed to learn that Ms. Taylor is a graduate of Drake University, my Alma Mater.
I sam hoping that she will live up to Drake’s motto of: Veritas.
OT:
The following site has received the DC Madam’s first lists.
http://www.legitgov.org/
anangryoldbroad @ 84
I think the only way for her to both show up and not answer any questions is if she personally takes the fifth.. in which case, the committee will have to decide whether or not to immunize her.. it becomes Goodling all over again, I think
OT but apparently Michael Moore was just on CNN and he reamed a new one for Wolf Blitzer and the lazy, complacent media. Went on for 10 minutes shaming him and the MSM for their poor reporting on Iraq, health care et al. It’s about time that the MSM have it thrown in their faces on what shills and sycophants they are. The 4th Estate indeed! This is the 4th Estate!
Is this going to be like the last production number out of Blazing Saddles ?
I thought this was too important not to pass along from TP:
TAYLOR WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN FIRINGS: Taylor, who stepped down from her position at the White House in May, is reported to have been intimately involved in the firing process, especially the replacement of former Arkansas U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins with former Rove-protege Tim Griffin. According to Kyle Sampson, the former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Taylor put “pressure” on the Department of Justice to bypass the Senate and install Griffin as the U.S. Attorney in Arkansas. Additionally, Taylor had a direct role in misleading the Senate about White House’s actions when she signed off on a January 2007 letter to Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) claiming that “that ‘not once’ had the Bush ‘administration sought to avoid the Senate confirmation process’ by exploiting the Patriot Act.” After Cummins suggested publicly that the White House orchestrated his ouster, rather than the Justice Department, Taylor led the charge behind the scenes to attack and discredit him. In a February 2007 e-mail to Sampson, Taylor wrote that though she doesn’t “like attacking” her friends, they should “tell the deal” on Cummins. In another e-mail, Taylor called Cummins “lazy,” implying that he had been fired for performance-related issues — the charge that first led the ousted U.S. attorneys to speak publicly about their dismissals.
Hey, gang, guess what?
The first batch of the DC Madam’s phone records have been released!
Shall we organize a research team in the manner of TPM?
I think she intends to answer, otherwise Fielding would not have felt the need to threaten her with a direct order from Bush.
BTW the Huffpo is getting snarky.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
There is an article on male sexual harassment half way down the page on the right. Look at the photo accompanying the article. I think Jane would appreciate this.
When is one of these zombies that served in the administration going to break?? How is it possible that they cover him and nobody ever rolls? I have tried looking for that pleadge they must siugn and I know it really exists because a “friend” of mine had to sign it (and go for 2 interviews) in order to work at the convention in NY.
puppethead @32
Getting her sworn in has its benefits, even if she intends to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights. She can’t just do it willy-nilly, there has to be a reason.
Oh, I think if we’ve learned anything, lo these past six years, it’s that they can, in fact, do things just willy-nilly.
james @ 67
Holy crap!
umm.. how did you find that out in the first place?
And, it was volunteer work at the convention.
I think she intends to answer, otherwise Fielding would not have felt the need to threaten her with a direct order from Bush.Phoenix Woman @ 95
How do you search such phone records? Do you use reverse directory or something?
IrishJim @ 89
Do we know what law school she completed and when?
Gosh, you all are really looking for something…
is it wild or vacant?
The comments here are leaving a bitter taste…
She’s blonde and young, therefore…what?
I’m disappointed, not surprised, but disappointed.
I thought people here were a little more sophisticated, a little more far-sighted, but, I’ve been wrong before.
IrishJim @ 89
Is that short for In vino veritas?
Don’t ask me why comment 102 got so screwed up…sorry. The first part refers to Taylor, not the DC Madam…JFYI :0
Redshift @ 87
Except Monica Goodling is a lawyer *koff*koff*, Sara Taylor has no such background. Goodling’s dumb blonde act was all schtick, she’s really a crocodile. Since Taylor is a political operative I expect her to be like a marketing person—not very bright, easily breakable.
Blub @ 91
To forestall that they should send her a list of questions they intend to ask her. Like what they are doing for Gonzo. It would at least prevent any “I can’t remember” crap.