A while ago this column noted that the new transfer of power in Congress was all about subpoenas, and 75 days into the new Congress this is now coming true. Instead of coming clean about the US attorney firing flap, the Bush White House has engaged in a obvious cover-up and now has claimed “executive privilege” instead of testifying to the American people, i.e., Congress. On the 34th anniversary of John Dean's famous quote about the Nixon White House having a stain, the Bush White House is showing its own stain. The rule of law in this country dictates that the truth will come out eventually and President Bush is the decider on whether his cronies do this voluntarily or not. Subpoenas and testimony under oath are the tools we use to achieve justice in this great nation, and this particular issue begs for such justice.
The White House has vowed to be forthcoming with all information, yet the emails they recently furnished have a three-week gap from November to December 2006. Does anyone remember Rosemary Wood? Tony Snow, the White House spokesmodel, has said that the President will fight subpoenas, but does not cite any valid precedent. In fact, 31 of President Clinton's aides testified under oath in response to Congressional subpoenas issued by the Republican Congress, and for issues a lot less germane than a president fiddling with the Justice Department.
In case you missed the Watergate drama, stayed tuned and heat up the popcorn, because this has all the makings of a re-run. Maybe after this one, you'll understand why we should have learned these lessons 35 years ago.
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