Bush refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents ? Can this lead to impeachment ?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070628/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_subpoenas

If there is nothing to hide,...then why try to hide it ?

Answer 1

Nope, it's just another test of executive privilege vs. congressional authority. Happens in almost every administration. It's why our illustrious forefathers created the tri-partite form of government so one independent branch could referee the other two.

Answer 2

This is why (from the very article you link us to):

"The reason for these distinctions rests upon a bedrock presidential prerogative: for the President to perform his constitutional duties, it is imperative that he receive candid and unfettered advice and that free and open discussions and deliberations occur among his advisors and between those advisors and others within and outside the Executive Branch," Fielding said.

"The doctrine of executive privilege exists, at least in part, to protect such communications from compelled disclosure to Congress, especially where, as here, the president's interests in maintaining confidentiality far outweigh Congress's interests in obtaining deliberative White House communications," Fielding said.

"Further, it remains unclear precisely how and why your committees are unable to fulfill your legislative and oversight interests without the unfettered requests you have made in your subpoenas," Fielding said. "Put differently, there is no demonstration that the documents and information you seek by subpoena are critically important to any legislative initiatives that you may be pursuing or intending to pursue."

It was the second time in his administration that Bush has exerted executive privilege, said White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto. The first instance was in December, 2001, to rebuff Congress' demands for Clinton administration documents.

Answer 3

Pelosi already said there will be no Impeachment. She is under strict orders from the Liberal big wigs to do nothing that will damage the Dems Presidential chances. They are pinning their hopes on taking the White House in '08 so they can make all the decisions. And if anything the Dems learned from history that pushing Impeachment will only put the negatives on them.

Answer 4

Yes. He is going down the same road that Nixon did and Nixon had plenty to hide. This is really not surprising, as one of Cheney's goals has always been to restore the power of the executive branch that he felt as taken away after Nixon and the Watergate Scandal.

Answer 5

I am not familiar with executive-branch law; but Bush's refusal to cooperate 'should' constitute impeachment AND banishment from the United States...in MY honest opinion!

Answer 6

I'm no Bush supporter, but you guys hoping for impeachment need to just get over it. No one is going to waste the effort it takes to impeach on a lame duck president.

Answer 7

The gameplan from the white house on this one is to stall it as long as possible. They know by the time the democrats get the charges filed, the Bush administration will be out of the white house.

Answer 8

Bush should do like your ol' pantless pal, Bill Clinton and order Sandy Berger to stuff the documents down his pantleg and shred the others.

Answer 9

I think impeachment is off the table according to our spineless Democratic leaders.

Answer 10

I want to see Kennedy's office email posted on the internet. And Shumer's. And Obama's. And ALL the Senators' email accounts.

They have nothing to hide, do they?