Reply #15: I can imagine how the argument goes. [View All]

[dorkulon]

The idea behind executive privilege is that the Pres and his advisors need to feel complete comfort in exchanging ideas, and that publicizing their conversations infringes on that. If that's the standard, then the fact that their remarks would be publicized after the administration leaves office doesn't really change the equation. If you'd bite your tongue if your remarks would go public now or next week, you're likely to bite your tongue if they're to be publicized in a few years.

The real problem with executive privilege is that it is total bullshit from start to finish. If public scrutiny causes presidential advisors to hold back advice that is illegal or immoral, that can only be a good thing.