WASHINGTON (CNN) - A key Democrat Monday called for the formation of a commission to launch a wide-ranging investigation of alleged wrongdoing by the Bush administration's Justice Department.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, called establishment of such a commission a "middle ground" between those who are demanding prosecutions, and those who simply want to put past disputes to rest.
"I don't want to embarrass anybody. I don't want to punish anybody. I just want the truth to come out so this never happens again," Leahy told a student audience at the Georgetown University Law Center.
A senior Republican dismissed Leahy's proposal as "politics as usual."
Leahy said he wanted a "truth and reconciliation commission" to conduct a "comprehensive" investigation into what he called illegal warrantless wiretapping and torture as well as politically-motivated hirings and firings.
He said he was open to whether such a commission would be congressionally appointed or would include Administration-appointed members similar to the 9/11 Commission. He did say any such commission should have power to subpoena witnesses and be able to grant immunity from prosecution except for perjury.
Leahy's comments are likely to re-ignite a simmering debate about how actively to focus on past political and legal policy disputes.
Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama have indicated they are cool to focusing too heavily on past arguments, with the President warning against "criminalizing policy disputes".
Holder has promised some unspecified internal reviews at the Justice Department.
Holder's office had no immediate comment on Leahy's remarks.
House Democrats led by Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers have urged an aggressive approach to holding Republican partisans accountable for Justice Department failures during eight years under three Attorneys General.
Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have strongly rejected any further investigations.
The top House Judiciary Committee GOP member Monday blasted Leahy's proposal.
"No good purpose is served by continuing to persecute those who served in the previous administration," said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas. "President Obama promised to usher in an era of "change" and bipartisan harmony. Unfortunately, the continued effort by some Democrats to unjustly malign former Bush Administration officials is politics as usual," Smith said.
Smith cited the four detailed reports stemming from Inspector General investigations, and said recommendations made have been implemented. He said Democrats also had already conducted a two year inquiry in public hearings.
"Rather than continuing to waste taxpayers time and money on fruitless finger-pointing, Congress should focus on the future and what we can do to help the American people during these difficult times," Smith added.
From CNN Politics
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About time!
OK. So the guy that green-lighted the Marc Rich pardons is going to be investigating Bush. That's it Democrats, DISTRACT! DISTRACT! DISTRACT! As the economy worsens under Obama and reality starts to set in, I sure we'll see more and more of this nonsense from the desperate dems.
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!
OK. So the guy who green-lighted the Marc Rich pardons is going to be investigating Bush. That's it Democrats, DISTRACT! DISTRACT! DISTRACT! As the economy worsens under Obama and reality starts to set in, I'm sure we'll see more and more of this nonsense from the desperate dems.
Oh please. I don't think Leahy has really thought this through. What happens when Obama leaves the Oval Office and is replaced by a Republican? Will Leahy really be so excited about digging through the dumpster of the last administration to find small crimes and violations? I guarantee he will not want a future administration putting his job under a microscope.
This is all a huge ploy to humiliate George W. It's over, BHO is in office now, look to the future already.
leahy is a publisity hound... fix the economy ,,, jerk
Sen. Leahy, you might run into a snag there, you have republicans in your Judicial Commitee. I do agree that there should be answers answered about what has taken place.
What tricky Dick, that when the President does it it isn't illegal. Where do you draw the line and when do you Prosecute. I think that Bush and his cronies needs to tell their side, which will be a line of BS.
You know what Cheney will say that Leahy can do about this....
I suspect the ex-VP's role will be carefully examined.
So, after all the things the GOP insisted we investigate Clinton for, let's see how they react to Bush needing to be investigated.
"Politically motivated" spin starts in 5.......4.......3.......2.......1.......
This should have happened three years ago.
Coward.
Leahy should be more worried about how he is going to help bring money in to his home state so that the state agencies are not decimated by job cuts which would result in the inability of state agencies to provide services to Vermonters.
There we go! Country's goin to hell in a handbasket, and the Dems want to go on snipe hunts.
All the more proof now that the country is being run by a carnival of idiots.
cue theme music to "Jaws" ...
Alright! Time for some blowback.
Leahy calls for commission to investigate Bush Justice Department
I and most of the country are behind you on this...
Please investigate the 9 11 commission report that was completed by bush and his dark lord dick. I don't believe a word that they put into that report.
Leahy calls for commission to investigate Bush Justice Department
I and most of the country are behind you on this!!!!!11
Leahy just wants the truth to come out – sure he does.
Don't stop there – get the real culprits. Bush/Cheney prosecutions. Nothing less will be satisfactory. THEY RUINED our entire Continent.
Yes, these people should be punished, and severely. And Cheney & his cohorts as well. They are a stain on our country !
unless you have taken part in criminal activities.
Let the witch-hunts begin! Those poor saps in the Justice Department who thought they would protect Bush might have to do so by taking the fall as if they didn't think that they would be free from guilt. Bush has been very good in making underlings the fall people for his and other higher-ups' commands. Consider the Abu Ghraib fiasco and who took that fall. It was the underlings being responsible for Bush's condoning torture! Fire the first foray of shots at the Bush administration to see just how badly George W. Bush operated this country! Like a badly run fraternity!
IMHO every congressman needs to be focusing on our ECONOMY, not what Bush did. There's time for any other "projects" later.
All congressmen would also do well to listen to Gov. Crist of Fla.-he at least shows all Reps. aren't scumbags.
Now the great mystery, will this post or not??
The Democrats best leave this alone. Or else somebody may want to investigate the Clinton Justice Dept.(i.e...pardoning Marc Rich which would put Obama's man Holder on trial). That would be bad for Obama.
Let's just try to work on the economy, stupid.
As a former republican and ashamed of it, I do believe Bush, Chenney and Rumsfeld ALL need to be brought before the Haig on Crimes against humanity for the slaughter they committed in Iraq, but NOT through the US justice dept. It needs to go world wide!!!
Why don't they go back to the Clinton Administration and find out why more were fired under him, oh nevermind, Clinton was a Democrat.
Its about time the Democrats looked into the lawlessness in the Bush administration, including.....
Disregarding our Constitution and the Geneva Convention in order to TORTURE!
BUSH/CHENEY= WAR CRIMINALS.
I support this effort 100%.
Senator Laehy; you are one of the few respectable Senators in Washington. You are a PATRIOT in every sense of the word. I have the utmost respect for you and your beautiful state. You are a great man ... now get it done! Put these crooks in prison and through away the key.
What a load of feces from the GOP. Scared much? The GOP wasted our time and money with an impeachment trial based on a BJ...which of course was all just cover for them sending Ken Starr on a witch hunt for something actually deserving of impeachment. Bush and Cheney committed REAL CRIMES...against our country our citizenry and humanity in general. They actually deserve to be investigated and prosecuted.
Leahy wants more partisan conflict. As hard as Obama is working to be bipartisan, Pelosi, Reed and now Leahy are back to the nasty politics as usual. Leahy pushing for this will only stir up the rhetoric, bitterness and mistrust between the parties. We'll be back to grid lock as we see our economy fall apart. There must be talented people the Democratic party could put up to replace Pelosi, Reed and Leahy in the next election. Leahy is pathetic.
Having a Democrat socialist investigate anything is like having a wolf in charge of the chicken coop
A good start would be to investigate the democRATs and all of that TAX evading they have been doing.
I'm sure that he would turn up at least a couple of dozen more corrupt democRATs.
Put your effort into enforcing the ethical behavior of th- Obama Administration! Quit blowing smoke to cause a distraction in an attempt to hide democrat demagoguery!
Talk is cheap Obama, it’s time for actions to speak louder than words!
The campaign to attain celebrity status should be long past, and the used-car salesman obfuscating rhetoric is not appropriate!
Put your effort into enforcing the ethical behavior of the Obama Administration! Quit blowing smoke to cause a distraction in an attempt to hide democrat demagoguery!
Talk is cheap Obama, it’s time for actions to speak louder than words!
The campaign to attain celebrity status should be long past, and the used-car salesman obfuscating rhetoric is not appropriate!
How about you investigate your own party's tax returns first.
It should be investigated. This is outrageous that its not! Bush abused all of his powers, undermined our constitution and ignored the internal conventions on illegal interrogation. Put it this way, just as dems are very upset with these abuses, how do you feel now that Obama has these same powers that bush basically enacted? I love Obama, but to the GOP, do you want Obama to have the power to do the same things Bush did? Listening to all our calls, firing for political proposes, ect ect, you know the deal. Does that make sense?
Lol, yeah ole "Leaky" laehy wants to investigate someone?
Republicans went too far in supporting wrongdoings of Bush administration, giving him a blank check for overspending, are responsible for the current crisis and yet trying hard to kill the stimulus package. They should learn a lesson. A thorough investigation of the past justice department is overdue
The law applies to everyone, not just the elite. Stop saying that you are not going to do anything about it. It should be fairly investigated and acted on accordingly if there was foul play. Than they finding should be presented to the people that Bush worked for, us!
please follow thru on this just to show america what and who we were dealing with for the last 8 years.
thank you from america!!
"Rather than continuing to waste taxpayers time and money on fruitless finger-pointing, Congress should focus on the future and what we can do to help the American people during these difficult times," Smith added.
In that case, the Republicans should practice what they preach, and get behind the already overly bipartisan bill they're wasting our time, jobs and money by obstructing.
As for weasling out of responsibility for the past 8 years – forget it. We want and need to clean that dirty laundry, or it will continue to stink for years to come. We need closure.
I agree with the Senator from Vermont, the Justice department has been packed with conservative republicans rendering any true justice meaningless.
It's time to correct the illegal hiring practices of the past administration and purge the department of Justice of right wing ideologues. The American democracy demands that Justice be administered in an impartial way and the Bush administration has defeated that premise.
Why don't you start investigating your own parties first before we rehash things. You should be worrying about the economy and let go of this. That is the problem with Democrats, cannot let go!!! Thought it was time for CHANGE!!!!!
IT'S ABOUT TIME THE BIG THREE ,GEORGE BUSH,DICK CHENEY AND DOLALD RUMSFELD ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. THESE THREE MEN HAVE DRIVEN THE UNITED STATES IN THE GROUND AT HOME AND ABROAD.
OK, Fine. Take the expense of this out of your pocket. Mine can't take any more.
hell, I LOVED to see bush baby and his buddies go to jail....where do we sign up?
What a shame the GOP is only interested in bipartisan harmony when they are not in power. I hope Leahy & Conyers keeps after this gang of thieves who stole lives & a great nation's conscience.
Man you Dems are sooooo one sided. How about he look into Bill's closet...lets see...strange deaths, missing(Stolven) documents, bad pardons...letting Ben Laden live when he had the chance to stop him. Yep lets take a real look into Washington. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE that has looked into it all agrees Bush didn't break any laws...but hey lets waste millions in tax payer dollars...I'm sure Obama will not care, he want's to waste Billions and Billons of dollars anyway.
Patrick: FOCUS on the present and getting the future right. If you want to spend time on the past, then you must not have any ideas for the future.
Leahy is correct. We need to see what happened during the Bush administration. There are so many questionable actions and policies that have come to light. How many more are there that we have yet to discover? Knowing what happened is one of many ways to learn about things to avoid.
Bush and Cheney needs to be brought up on criminal charges for what they did to the American people and all over. They are the biggest crooks and have raped this country of it resources. This should not go un-punish. To think that they could walk away from such mess and live happily ever after, while the people of this country suffer. No, bring them to justice.
Waste of money. Just like the fringe out there who think Bush will really be prosecuted because THEY think he is guilty, it's just not gonna happen. Can we please stop wasting money on witch hunts that aren't going to do or mean anything? Folks, get based in reality, Bush and Co. aren't going to jail, no matter how much you would like it, your opinions (no matter how well or ill informed) just don't matter. If you would like to rant and rave because it makes you feel better or makes you feel like you are actually making a difference (which you are not) then fine, but the government needs to stop wasting money on these hunts to make their sides (democrats or republicans) look good in the eyes of the uninformed public.
Face facts - karen-Phoenix - YOU were NEVER a republican. YOU have always been a LEFT WING LIBERAL.
Don't even think I can not let it go, or wish to rehash anything. I was a diehard Republican at one point in time. Today I am an individual who took an oath to protect and defend the Consitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC.
My nation and my Consitution have been under attack from within for the past 8 years. It is time to place the Consitution back in its rightful place as the law of the land, not some docuement that might offer guidance. Only those that have trampled upon the Consitution and what it represents should fear such an investigation. GO FOR IT.
And how much will this cost? And will this keep Leahy from working on important issues such as the economy?
Worriedmon, so I guess you are ok with someone using a scalpel on a detainiee's testitcles?
It only makes sense. Repubs investigated and impeached Clinton because he was havin some "fun". This is the LEAST they can do!!!
Go for it......but go all the way. Why rule out prosecutions? It's pretty obvious that crimes were committed.
While you are at it, investigate the Rich Pardon and the the Obama conections. Oh and can you investigate the Birth Certificate. Don't throw stones........
'Yo, Repubicans – remember "Whitewater-gate". You wouldn't let that one go, and what did you accomplish? Spending a lot of money on nothing. Just remember, the "gate" that is put after each alleged scadal came from Watergate – the biggest scandal in recent times! The Constiution is to protect us, not for use when it serves your purpose. If there is nothing to hide, then let the investigation go forward and punish those who did wrong, if any. Otherwise you sound like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar!
So quit your belly-achin'
The liberals better be careful of what they ask for. Not only are they not as good as the republicans at the politcs of it all (because they are stupid), but they also have more skeletons in their closets (because they are immoral).
Change you can believe in, sense it in my tone.
JUST DO IT. There is no doubt the Bush administration is guilty.
Here we go again – Democrats investigating Republicans, Republicans investigating Democrats. Enough is enough. All politicians are just corrupt, fix the economy and the problems vs wasting time going after crooks who get off anyway (that goes for both parties).
Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Adams would be rolling in their graves if they knew what the Bush Adminstation did. This has nothing to do with politics as usual, this isn't even on the same level as partisan politics! What the Bush Administration did was ILLEGAL, and if any president of any party abused their power in such a way, they should be brought to justice. We are a democracy not monarchy and we the American people want to see justice served to those who break the law!
I find it interesting that republicans are all about "let's just move on"–now. You all are so transparent, it's just not funny anymore. Bush and Cheney and Gang better hope the U.S. investigates the war crimes, otherwise, other countries might find a way to capture and try them themselves.
If the democrats had to investigate their own party, what would they find?: Bill Clinton pardoned Mark Rich for a bribe, Bill Clinton send terrorist to other countries to be tortured (rendition). Blagiovich wanted a bribe for Obama's senate seat. Tony Rezko bribed Obama through that home purchase. Obama used (and sold?) cocaine in high school. Eliot Spitzer likes prostitues. Gov McGrevy give posh jobs to his gay lovers. Gov. Corsine and Rendell instruct their drivers to speed. John Edwards cheats on the wife. Secretary Gietner, Rep Rangel, Giland, Dashle all don't want to pay their taxes. Rep Kennedy does DUI in DC and is still in congress. Rep Jefferson hides his bribe money in the freezer. Half of Obama's staff either worked as a lobbist or as a lawyer or consultant for lobbying organizations. The last thing that the Democrats need right now is more tit-for-tat investigations.
Its about time! ...but we all know the Dems don't have the stomach to actually go through it!
Yes!!!!! 1000% !!!
Thank you!
When do the WAR CRIMES investigations start?
Investigate, and let the chips fall where they may.
Great news.
Letting things be is one thing, but saying that it is a waste of time is really demeaning. The last eight years were incredibly disheartening.
I suggest that the Republicans simply sign a statement that they did stack the deck, the Democrats don't prosecute anyone – and then let's get on with the business at hand.
How come when it has to do with a Democratic President, Attorney General, et. al., the Republican Party becomes the Moral and Ethical Police, but when it comes to their own party, it is "past and should be forgotten?" Sorry, but I don't WANT to forget wiretaping of U.S. Citizens, torture of POWs, and partisan firing of attorneys, because as Santayana once said, "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" and I don't ever want another repetition of an Executive Branch gone wild! I don't want further erosion of our Constitution for the benefit of a few.
I will say this, though...I don't want this to become a witch hunt. I want specific areas for investigation to be set out and publically viewed. I especially don't want this to turn into a Democrat vs Republican vendetta! We all know both parties have their fair share of wrong-doers, we don't need to rehash all that again, but some of the activities of the two Bush terms definitely need airing out!
My goodness!!! When the justice department in doing illegal things then you know we have problems. Characters involved in wrongdoing at the justice department have already admitted to it. They hired based on religion, political affiliation and ideology. The only question left now is who told you to do it. Since Rove and Harriet Myers will not present themselves for interrogation by answering congressional questions, then we have to dig deeper to find the truth. The problem is that the Bush administration pushed everything it touched to the limits to test the courts, the laws and the systems that were set in place, such as spying without a warrant from the proper court. They say that they were only spying on international calls, but how do we know that and how can we believe them when they broke the law to do this spying. Who is to say that they didn't spy on everyone. Are we to believe the very people that lied and deceived us in the first place? That is a little too much to ask, considering the track record of this administration.
worriedmom, you are a fool. Not everything needs to be partison. Just because GW is a Republican and Leahy is a democrat, doesn't mean his call to investigate is partison. You just see everything that way.
No principles from the Repupublicans.
THANK YOU Diana , Ewing, NJ..............wouldn't have said it better myself.....(however, if you put the Bush & his cronies in front of a firing squad, it would help taxpayer money) (from doing all the investigations) & etc..
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" and I don't ever want to see our Executive Branch go wild again and erode our Constitution, act in contempt of Congress, and hide their activities under a cloak of "national security". I DO NOT want a witch hunt, but I don't want this to sweep under the rug, either. We The People have a right to know...Congress and the President work for US! And the Justice Department should be one specific government organization free of partisan taint (as much as possible).
indeed the republicans are tyhe most slimy and decietful segment of the American population, each time the odd is against them they tend to sound good, imagine Rep. smith,R-texas warmly reciting president Obama 's call for bipartisan harmony in the face of an obvious crime perpitriated by Bush and his cohorts, and this latest decietful comment is coming from a man who's a prominent republican in the house in which no single republican supported the bipartisan crusader's[ president obama'] stimullus plan, nothing can be more synical. Americans the GOP'S ARE YOUR PROBLEM !!! BE WAREEEEE
Here's a few more people you might want to investigate:
1) Barack Obama
2) Michelle Obama
3) Bill Clinton
4) Hillary Clinton
5) Rahm Emanual
6) Rod Blagoevich
7) Eric Holder
8) Timothy Geithner
9) Tom Daschle
10) Hilda Solis
11) Bill Richardson
12) Nancy Killefer
13) Barney Frank
14) Chris Dodd
15) William Jefferson
16) Sandy Berger
There's just a few to get you started with. There's plenty more where they came from.
What about Charlie Rangle's tax evasion investigation?
What about William Jefferson's bribery investigation?
What about Chris Dodd's VIP Countrywide sub-prime loan investigation?
Oh, wait, my bad, those are all Democrats. Never mind . . .
@ Bipartisan
You, sir, are incredibly uninformed. The POTUS has an ABSOLUTE power to pardon or grant clemency. Holder had nothing to do with Clinton's decision, because you know what? Clinton didn't have to listen to ANYONE whatsoever in exercising that power. Holder cannot be prosecuted for it both because he did nothing wrong and because quite simply, he did nothing.
Witch hunt, Witch hunt, burn them burn them....what century are we in again?
The Bush Adminstration committed war crimes and sould be made accoutable for their actions, if not under universal juridiction when President Bush, the Vice President, and other members of the Bush Administration there will be (or there are) warrants out for their arrests issued.
...another typical Demwit maneuver that will waste money and go nowhere. Where's the investigation of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, the major architects of the mortgage meltdown?
There have been some serious violations of law and privacy over the last 8 years. I am a victim of some of this and currently have a lawsuit in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals against a national guard general who intercepted emails to or from me over an 8 month period while I was deployed to the Iraqi Theater fighting on behalf of this nation. the Army has done everything they can to cover this up. If you're not going to exercise your constitutional responsibilities regarding checks and balances, then get out of the Congress. If you allow the practice of the last 8 years to go uninvestigated and unpunished, you will repeat this all over again. What some folks learned over the last 8 years is how they think and expect they can operate. They are still in the system. I am stunned at the abuses I've seen and some of these abuses have filtered down through some state governments. Investigate, identify law violations, give due process, and punish, where necessary. We are a nation of laws and no person is above the law.
worriedmom February 9th, 2009 2:27 pm ET
Why don't you start investigating your own parties first before we rehash things. You should be worrying about the economy and let go of this. That is the problem with Democrats, cannot let go!!! Thought it was time for CHANGE!!!!!
____________
And here comes the spin....investigate anything and everything when it came to Clinton, but all the Bush babies want his 8 years of injustice swept under the rug. Oh so very typical.
I guess the GOP is just afraid the bad press from the investigation would further sink their party into oblivion.
I forgot to add that Members of Congress who knowingly supported the Bush Administration and their criminal effort, should be charged as accomplices.
It is time to prosecute Bush and Cheney for war crimes. We cannot afford to be preoccupied with the economy and forgetful of the past. The rule of law and the Constitution must be served.
Of course there needs to be further investigations! I would like to see several Bush, Cheney, etc be investigated for treason...crimes against the people of the United States!
Bush/Cheney made me understand how horrible things like the holocaust happened. This country's govt. played politics and let him get away with it. Not every situation should go with the majority vote.
Any kind of human opression and equal rights is wrong whether people like it or not. We are all equal and it seems to me that as long as it applys to other countries or gays or the like then the "states" have a vote in this. That is so far from the premise of this country. We cannot allow voting against any kind of oppression just because someone doesn't agree with it.
I hope our new govt. does not stand back and allow what Bush and CHeney did and I especially hope We as a People, never allow our rights to be taken as we did in the Bush years.
Instead of being interested so in what the past administration has done-–Let's investigate the now Whynot be more interested in Obama taking the 2010 census from the Commerce Department? Geinther not having enough integrity to resign–? Shauna Daly?
And this will solve what? We are currently in a huge economic downturn and you want to spend millions/billions on something that doesnt change anything. I wish I could live in your state just so I could not vote for you. Most will agree that this should be done, but common you really think now is the best time?
Yeah, good idea–and I used to be a Republican.
Sure go ahead and open up that door but don't be surprised by the amont of just as guilty Democrats gets swallowed up as well!
sniff sniff sniff...I smell GOPer fear...sniff sniff sniff
Better late than never. For what it is worth add my name to list in support of forming a commission. I agree with others comments that getting our economy back on track is priority number one, however, in the interest of the future of this country, if ANYONE is found to have broken or ignored the laws of our country justice must be served. Without justice there is no true democracy. Whether from a political, legal, or militaristic standpoint true freedom/ democratic ideology is not free.
Leahy, You are an idiot. We are trying to get the stimulus money to get Americans back to work and imporve economic situation. Now you want to investigate the past. Actually you yourself have to investigated. Did you pay your taxes?
que sera sera, whatever will bE, will bE the future is ours to see, que sera, que sera, HANG THEM BOTH!!
Had it: Get a life. You, I and the rest of America are responsible for the status of this country. We keep electing the same group of irresponsible idiots election after election, knowing they are not doing the job we sent them to do. The was this country is goes back to Bill Clinton. He started the ball rolling on Fannie and Freddie. Guess what, it has come home to roost.
As for investigating. How many investigations have we had that ended up worth the time spent. When you have one crooked politician investigating another, you aint gonna get anything but junk.
Another example of useless government "pork".
Wasting time on spilled milk – Leahy is as useless as teats on a boar hog –
If I'd been Cheney, I'd a probably told Pat the Prick the same thing!
Gonzalez, Cheney and Domenici should be investigated. Crimes WERE committed by the Justice Dept.
But first, how about a commission to invistigate Barney Frank and Chris Dodd?????? Let's find out the role they played in the credit mess.
Good lord, This guy has one job only...investigate anything and everything Bush.
What is Leahy's record with his investigations? 0-20? time to move on bud, you can only dig so much.
Justice in the Bush Justice Department? You gotta be kidding.
LOL...
What a joke... two years the Dems controlled congress... if there was something they would have done it. Saber ratteling at it's finest... LOL
How about Dem tax returns... seems to be a bigger issue there.
To be followed by Obama impeachment proceedings...
I would look into everything in the 'Bush' administration. He and his administration got us into this mess and then leaves. Not to soon.., I might say. Mike in Montana
The Bush-Cheney Administration make Richard Nixon look like the ACLU.
Sen Leahy, first investigate how many republican attorneys were dismissed when Obama came to DC.
any comment on that?
Not a moment too soon.....
You should be careful. It's a Boomerang!
Americans have to read the page before we can turn it. I fully support this.
I was all for moving on but after seeing how the Republicans are still behaving I would like nothing more than to see Bush and Cheney brought to justice. Their actions were inexcusable and cost lives.
Its about time!
And not a moment too soon.....
There should definitely be a very thorough investigation. Our country and our Constitution deserve protection. Allowing the crimes of the last Administration to go unanswered will only continue to encourage people to think they are above the law – WHICH THEY ARE NOT!
Hey Pat if this is coming out of your pocket , by all means go ahead and investigate away, if your are spending 1 dime of the taxpayers money, I think that is a waste of good money being spent on someone not worth it. Please put the money to good use and forget about Bush. We work hard for our money, and it could be spent to help people lees fortunate.
Doing an investigation of the abuses of Bush era (excess & secrecy) is not politic as usual. What 2 years of investigation by Congress when Bush and the GOP used any trick to block it? Bipartisan means the opinion of both parties but GOP push just Tax Breaks & no other plans (we saw what tax breaks and deregulations do) As far as who doesn't pay taxes and keeps gifs and money without reporting that, it will be very interesting to do an investigation to BOTH PARTIES and to check the impartiality of the best political team CNN. Keep all of them honest.
If there are crimes to be punished you have to move forward with those prosecutions, regardless of the cost. Justice is not to be side stepped. However, this seems more like political posturing then any kind of real action.
Careful, Leahy. We might end up spending tax dollars in this legal process of fighting the GOP gladiators in the defence of Bush/Cheney team. Think about pursuing pressing needs of other Americans fighting scary unemployment numbers.
Another opportunity to promulgate the fabricated lies of the Left. We are headed for a dictatorship......
How do we ensure that this abuse of power never happens again if the Bush administration is not brought to justice? This is not a choice of Democrat against Republican This is not revenge against the OTHER party. This is restoring our constitution and everything it stands for. As Americans,regardless of party,we should all be outraged at the crimes committed in our name. We as Americans should not be listening to the hate spewed on the far right and on the far left, but instead remember what is right about our country and pull together to make it better. Don't let the haters divide us. Let us unite and demand that the Bush administraation answer for their crimes and prove to us and the rest of the world that truly no one is above the law in America.
The only reason Republicans are still talking out there is because Pelosi prevented us in this country from doing the right thing:
Impeaching bush and all republicans after the lies, the wars, the no bid contracts.
PAT LEAHY WHO?
I agree with Leahy, our nation deserves an investigation of the cause of this mess!!!
Liberals must be salivating over the prospects of this. I thought Liberals were now all about looking forward, not behind and about a new kind of politics? I guess not. It sickens me that this is how they want to treat the man who kept them safe for 7 years. Liberals would rather give legal rights to terrorists than to Bush. You sicken me
All you crazy folks that say to forget about, surely you must be kidding.
You should want to get Bush, Cheny and the whole mess of republician that ruined this country. people wake up. Go Leahy and Thanks
I think alot of elected GOPers are worried that if some of the back room, underhanded dealings come to light, their opponents in the next race will use their voting record against them.
Leahy...We are trying to forget that name ....Bush..... see what he did the last 8 years Please don't mention his name again....just mention the former vp dick ...ok
People, please understand this:
THE US ATTORNEYS SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT!
That means Bush had the right to fire and hire any US Attorney he wanted for whatever reason. When Clinton took office, he fired them all.
Lehey is a dinosaur. Move on, stop looking backward.
It was all hands on deck when it came time to investigate former President Clinton's sexual activities while in office yet when there is a possibility of a president illegeally abusing the power given to him in our Constitution no one wants to touch it! I find this to be amazing! Justice must be served, if not for us but for future generations of Americans who should never have to question our morals!
Sir ... if I were you I hire bodyguard. The Bushes and the Dickies out there will eat you alive for FINALLY having the balls to say something out loud!
I don't know much about Mr. Leahy, but I like and support his request,
I guess The Republicans have forgotten about the time and money spent on "Whitewater", a simple land deal. However, stepping on our Constitution appears to be something we should just let slide. . Republicans just don't get that they were elected to uphold our Constitution, and represent all the people in their districts and State.
No one should be above the law, regardless of the circumstances or the inconveniences. Common criminals are being caught in the act every day by law enforcement and sent to trial, regardless of the economy.
People in power should be investigated like anybody else. If they are innocent, there is no reason for them to fear justice. It is not fair to let these people go without any investigation just because they are in positions of power. Their power does not make them less criminal. Perhaps it's their actions are a denial we must face. It sends the wrong message to our children, the rest of the world & it has nothing to do with the status of our economy.
we know they were crimes commited and covered up, the majority in the last administration are not trust worthy.
As much as I'd love to see Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Libby slammed into Gitmo, I don't want this to come out of my pocket. I have to wonder if Leahy is trying to stretch out his 15 minutes of fame, or does he make a profit from these investigations?
Ok folks – enough is enough. Yes, Bush/Cheney et al should be responsible for their actions.
However, right now this is not a priority. Getting our economy going is. Getting people back to work is.
It's time to put things in their proper prospective and get something productive done.
i think the entire GOP should be investigated
If given to the American People, Bush/Cheney/Rice/Rumsfeld/Rove/Libby etc. and etc., would be torn into teeny tiny pieces, literally. Every American to have own a piece (ew!).
So if you want to have a country where the rule of law is the cornerstone of our democracy, you'd dang site better investigate these thugs and bring them to justice.
THEY TORTURED PEOPLE IN OUR NAME !!!
not to mention all the other crimes they committed.
I do not want a US commisson looking into anything but these banks, Wall Street, and the SEC, for now.
The Republicans keep saying the Dems caused the meltdown with Fannie and Freddie. ( I know Bush was Godlike, I live in TN, the land of no reading). Obviously there is a disconnect. Please just watch the hearings, you do not have to read. Perhaps it had something to do with NO RULES, or supervision by the SEC, or Greed?
If we are going to place some folks in jail, let's start with Bankers/Wall Street/SEC. It seems some made big $$ from all this. I will bet they are Republicans!
I support Senator Leahy. He is correct, the American people deserve the truth. We were sold a bill of goods for the last 8 years!
It didn't start with Bush/Cheney – it started over 30 years ago – the 'conversative agenda' – Break the country, drain the treasury and ride off into the sunset.
Bush/Cheney just made it so obvious we HAD to pay attention – but it's been going on for decades. Lying, cheating, cronyism, stealing, murder.
Take from the poor and give to the rich – that's the Politician Motto
There is _no_ "middle ground" for blatant violations of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Why should Gonzalez and the telecoms skate after bugging the entire domestic bandwidth based solely on bogus memos written by their minions saying it was OK?
Move on Leahy! There are much bigger issues to tackle rather than your personal vandetta against Pres. Bush. Besides, the president (whether it's Obama or Bush) has the right to hire and fire anyone he desires.
Kevin in Ohio,
We were under dictatorship rule under the Bush Administration! It is time for America to regain its Democratic values!
What's all the fuss? As long as Bush and his crew did no wrong, why not welcome the investigation?
I was once accused of stealing money from a co-worker's purse. When the cop on the job said they had the technology to lift fingerprints from the leather of her purse and wallet, without hestation I held out my hands to offer my fingerprints. I did so because I was innocent.
So... if there's nothing to hide, hold out your hands: Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove and the rest of the crony club. Oh and don't EVEN complain about the cost after how much Ken Starr spent to prove Clinton lied about being faithful to his wife.
And President Obama should be tried for war crimes in attacking the sovereign nation of Pakistan and murdering innocent children!!!!
The president has the authority to fire or hire justice dept lawyers at his leisure, this is true. Had he fired the attorneys in question on political grounds no one would be complaining, but they didnt. They fired these people on the grounds of poor performance, after they had recieved favorable performance evaluations. Bush Jr. didnt want it to look political so he lied about the reason behind the firings. Remember, President Clinton wasnt impeached over sex with an intern, he was impeached because he lied about it.
War must end NOW! We don't need to go on a new front and kill more people, including the slaughter of both American troops and innocent Afghanis. Bring all of our troops home NOW!
Impeach Obama and bring him up on war crimes. Bring Bush up on war crimes, too. They are just as bad as each other, but if you're a Democrat, you're blinded to see the Obama evil, and if you're a Republican, you're blinded to seeing the Bush evil.
I'm neither and see the evil in both.
Our Constitution is what's made this country great, and the violation of it, whether intentiional or otherwise, should always be investigated, no matter where it leads. The oath our leaders take is to the Constitution, not to a political party, an individual, a President, or the US Government. The oath is made to uphold the Constitution. Republicans should be just as outraged as Democrats, but I suspect that most Republicans believe their oath to be to America, and what America means to them. Unfortunately, this thinking is flawed. America means many different things to different people, but the one thing that binds us together as a strong nation is our Constitution.
Ah yes, the rabid Impeach Bush crowd. Be careful wishing for witch-hunts. Have you googled for "impeach obama" lately?
In 4 years you will be whining like the "leave Brittany alone" girl.
Dylan from MN February 9th, 2009 2:43 pm ET
Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Adams would be rolling in their graves if they knew what the Bush Adminstation did. This has nothing to do with politics as usual, this isn't even on the same level as partisan politics! What the Bush Administration did was ILLEGAL,
___________________________________________________
And I suppose you have evidence.
Marc February 9th, 2009 3:38 pm ET
I think alot of elected GOPers are worried that if some of the back room, underhanded dealings come to light, their opponents in the next race will use their voting record against them.
___________________________________________________
Dems should be worried also, you never know what will come out in an investigation. Dems are not immune to this stuff either. They are all POLITICIANS no matter the party, they ALL LIE, CHEAT, and STEAL.
Great,let the lynchings begin.
Seems to me that we've got enough serious problems to deal with as a nation to not be spending our time/energy on the past.
What good will come of all this?? Let's say that they (Bush/ Cheney) are found to have clearly violated the Constitution–does anyone really believe that they would be successfully prosecuted???
I say let them be gone and let's move on!!!
Give me a break, all of you republican whiners. If it had been a Democratic administration that committed all the crimes that the Bush administration has, you'd all be foaming at the mouth. The republicans wouldn't even let rest when Clinton lied about sex, and then even went so far as to impeach him, at the great expense of the tax payers. In my book, warrentless wiretapping, torture, and lying to start a war are much more serious than lying about an affair.
Cry me a river, hypocrits.
Can you say " PAPER SHREADER"
Move on Leahy!! Give it a rest and thank your lucky stars this country was not attacked again! You'd better watch your loose cannon, Biden, as he is out there saying some pretty stupid things, i.e., 30% failure? Some VP the chosen one "chose"! Besides, don't you have some economic worries?
It's about time!
This has to be done else a very bad precedent will be set. It will mean that future presidents will do whatever they want to do, and get away with it. WE must force them to uphold the Constitution...else why even bother having one?
It is about time these things are investigated, They broke the law refusing to honor sopeonas, and need to be looked at more closely. The only people wanting it to go away are the ones wnat ing to hide the Repulican crime machine. First Watergate, then Iran Contra, Then Bush.
How can you people sleep at night spening 10s of millions investigating a voluntary, consentual BLOW JOB, and demanding that REAL criem gets hiddne and ignored??
You democrats are such simpletons it's astonishing. What exactly would Bush be tried for? Saddam Hussein repeatedly violated the terms of the Gulf War cease fire.....any which could have legally justified a resumption of the war. WMDs? Every country with an intelligence agency reported that he had WMDs. Even your beloved Bill Clinton reported that he had WMDs. In fact he did have them and he used them on his own people. Inspectors were not allowed to do their job which was yet another violation of the cease fire terms. Gitmo? Great idea that continues to serve a useful purpose and shouldn't be closed. Abu Graib? Most overblown story in the history of journalism.
So the guy that green-lighted the Marc Rich pardons is now going to investigate Bush. Ha! What a joke!
Since they have no ideas or solutions, all the Democrats can do is distract by harping on the past. As the economy worsens under their control, the Democrats will become more and more desperate and you will see more and more political stunts like this one.
Democrats: Before you go investigating others, why don't you START PAYING YOUR TAXES!
Bush broke the law over and over again. He made a joke out of this great country. Maybe he thought he got away with it now that he is no longer president. But on one should be above the law. No one. I support efforts to investigate Bush's administration.
First off know what type of government we have. We do not have a democracy, but a constitutional republic. I bring this up because so many people talk about the constitution but then talk about our democracy. Similar yes, but not the same. Now on to the topic at hand.
If you're Obama supporter and are in favor of this then you're setting your man up for failure. Obama has some good ideas that I support, but his biggest problem is the far left of the democratic party, bogging him down, not the republicans. The Dems managed to lose (yes LOSE becuase all Gore had to do was carry his home state and this wouldn't be an issue. I mean really, what type of candidate can't even win their home state? Come on, even Mondale won MN.) the 2000 presidential campagin, and are so busy with their own agenda's (that would be you Ms. Pelosi) that they're not supporting the president.
Obama has done an excellent job looking to the past to guide his presidency and is following Ford's example, which, like it or not, is the best course of action if he want's to achieve any of his larger goals over the next 4 years. If you want Bush brought to trial go find the next David Frost and let him or her do it.
Finally! Somebody is at least stepping up to the plate to investigate the last administration.
Refreshing. Leahy is calling for an investigation of the Bush Justice Department dealings. Clearly there were problems at Justice. and those who govern should demand problems be investigated. If a Congressman says "awwww let's develop a big blind spot and move on" we should be outraged. I commend Leahy.
I don't think this government, especially Palosi, has the guts to investigate anyone. Look at how Bushes Brain got away with refusing to show up for ANY legal investigations. So how are they going to get these guys to show up for the questioning?? I think most of these senators are gutless unless it comes to spending our money and then they are great balls on fire... It's no wonder the Repugnicons out fox them all the time.. Buncha pusses...
All of Bushs wrongdoings and out and out illegal manuevering to get his way should absolutely be investigated, but they won't. Pelosi and all the other power brokers will just sweep everything he did under the rug as not to rock the boat!
This should'nt be shoved under the rug! Bush and his cronies are not above the law! This needs to be addressed so it can never happen again. People in power have got to abide by the laws of this country just as much as the rest of us if not more!!! Who are they to get away with it?
Let us show the rest of the world that we respect the law and our Constitution. Let justice be served!
Do we believe in the rule of law or don't we?
The problem is, all our leaders are afraid to cast the first stone, because none of them are innocent.
Cowards.
Hummmm. Maybe I do agree with the [R]s on this one point: where's the "change" in continuing to throw crooked [R]s in jail? I mean, that's already been happening for the past 8 or more years quite regularly. Now I finally realize why the [R]s themselves are so deperate for "change".
Dispatch for the pony express riders and telegraph lines that lead into the [R] strongholds: the "change" that Obama talks about, is the change to holding the crooked [R]s even MORE accountable!
Its about time!
The United States of America is a reflection of what is best in humanity. We are what everybody else wants to be. There are people all over the world dying to live in this country and share in what we call the American Dream and with pride put the word "American" at the end of their ethnicity. The politicization of the DOJ takes us down a peg. The fact that we sactioned torture, takes us down. Our reputation and our image has been tarnished and must be redeemed.
There are those out there with foolish pride blinding them to the simple issue of right and wrong when it comes to our country and there are those of us who rightly gaurd this nation with criticism and when she is wrong we fight to make her right and realize that we are always in a constant state of improvement, always trying to form a more perfect union.
The Bush administration is guilty of torture, warrentless domestic wire taps and the politicazation of the DOJ. Justice must be restored in this nation.
LET JUSTICE BE DONE OR THE HEAVENS FALL
We are BROKE and hurting in this country, so do we really need to spend MILLIONS on this subject. Lets move forward and get past this last eight years. If they do this all it will be is game playing.
"Rather than continuing to waste taxpayers time and money on fruitless finger-pointing, Congress should focus on the future and what we can do to help the American people during these difficult times," Smith added.
Do [R]s bother to listen to the hypocritic drivel that pours out of their own mouths? I guess when you have lost your way so fully as to have become part of such a clinically deluded clique, there is no pride left in tyring to match your rhetoric with reality. their current leaders, and those of the past 8 years, certainly show no sign of having a grasp of reality.
Whatever it takes and how ever long it takes, the truth must come out and I don't care if it's a Democratic or Republican wrong-doing. The PEOPLE of this country deserve to know what our elected officals are up to. If officials know they can be procecuted after serving, they will think two or three times before goose-stepping along with the power brokers and deal makers that think they are above the law.
Good Luck with this. If the investigation is run like they did it in Alaska, everyone will get off with not even a slap on the wrist.
Both Cheney and Bush deserve to spend the rest of their lives in Federal Lockup for violating so many laws (that I can't begin to count them all), but with their arrogant attitude (Cheney) they figure they've done nothing wrong.
wonder if the republicans that hire prostitutes.. pay tax on that or claim that on their Taxes? Or is it that the American public is paying for it.
Hey Leahy... don't just talk, WALK the walk. Bring these criminals to justice. Everyone else in this country is held accountable if they break the law. Don't waste our time blowing "hot air" if you're NOT going to do anything about it. GO HOME if you have no backbone backing up your feeble threats. Just go home.
Vengeance is a dish most enjoyed when cold.
B'BYE Gonzo, B'BYE!
I hope your future cell mate is "extra well-endowed" and finds you pretty!
@ Justified Cynic
Why don't you grow up a little. Your comment about Democrats need to pay their taxes. Don't put them all in the same basket. Thats like saying "Republicans need to stop cruising airport bathrooms, and getting houses remodeled for kickbacks!" MORON!
"I just want the truth to come out so this never happens again".
Right; how thoughtful.
Lets stop with the revenge killings and move forward and stop wasting our tax dollars at a time when we need all of them for the future. Stop showboating Leahy! The American public is sick and tired of this constant politics and revenge , back and forth, back and forth. It is not your turn and it needs to stop now.
Someone turn up the music so we don't have to listen to anymore negative politics anymore.
Fine, just as long as we can form one to investigate the corruption of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Oh yeah, how much is this going to cost?
Just like the republicans pursued Whitewater, go get 'em. Get 'em all. Get Bush, get Cheney, get Rove.
Get them for reducing the justice department to a political tool, get them for outing Valerie Plame, get them for lying to the American people and killing our soldiers in Iraq. Get them for advocating torture, get them for illegally enriching Halliburton, get them for arrogantly peeing all over the constitution. Indict them for their stupendous incompetence that has made the world a more dangerous place for the citizens of the USA.
Lets just put all the America should fail republicans in camps.
@ Justified Cynic
Why don't you grow up a little. Your comment about Democrats need to pay their taxes. Don't put them all in the same basket. Thats like saying "Republicans need to stop cruising airport bathrooms, and getting houses remodeled for kickbacks!" MORON!
Time to prosecute Gonzo and the rest of his gang for hiring Republicans-only in the DOJ. The one place that's SUPPOSED to be free of politics... and DUBYA had to violate and corrupt that too.
Dubya is without a doubt the WORST President in our nation's history.
Let's hope Republicans can find another one just like him for the next election!!! Morons...
"No good purpose is served by continuing to persecute those who served in the previous administration," said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas.
Ummm, continuing? Congress's attempts to get cooperation from the executive branch in the past 2 years have been a total joke; the time to persecute... or rather prosecute... those who broke the law in the Bush White House is NOW, now that these anti-American plutocrats no longer have their hands on the reins of state. Restoring the rule of law is as necessary as addressing our economic crisis, and congressional white-wash commissions are not the answer. Prosecutions from within the DoJ or by Special Prosecutor ARE the answer.
sounds like the republicans are shaking in the boots. they don't want anyone to know what crooks bush and cheney are.
Funny how all of a sudden, when it is a GOP President under investigation all we hear is "leave the past in the past"...yet all these same GOP wanted to go after Clinton for Paula Jones, and that didnt even happen when he WAS president...the stuff they are investigating Bush for happened when he WAS president. Big, huge, difference.
"Leaving the past in the past" is a partisan tactic, designed to get their people off scot free.
Yet, how many times have we seen Impeach Obama nonsense and people calling for him to resign, when he hasnt done ONE thing anywhere NEAR as bad as they want to investigate Bush for.
If you *truly* want to leave the past in the past, then leave the partisan politicking in the past, and allow criminals to be investigated.
Period!
Don't get too fired up. They already cut a deal with the new attorney general. The republicans didn't put up a fight even though he's for more gun control in exchange for not looking into past potentially criminal activity. Both parties are in bed together.
Humm.... should we check this out with Joe the tax evading fake plumber?
Let the comission begin. It is time to the past administration policies and shed light on them.
Put a muzzle on your hate attack dogs ! Remember ; what goes around comes around! Politics are going to bring this country down !!
Let the comission begin. It is time to review the past administration policies and shed light on them.