Group to watch White House(Democrat watchdogs to attract whistleblowers)

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., today was expected to announce a new Democratic investigative team to act as a watchdog of the White House.

Congress has a traditional oversight role in tracking the actions of the executive branch.

But Republicans control both chambers and have not been aggressive in challenging the Bush administration, Reid and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., were to say at a press conference today.

~snip~

The first investigation of the new team likely will focus on government contracts in Iraq. Bush critics have noted that businesses with close ties to the White House -- including Halliburton Co., once run by Vice President Dick Cheney and now the largest contractor in Iraq -- have won lucrative contracts.

Halliburton is a good example of a company that has escaped significant congressional oversight, Dorgan said. For example, the contractor has claimed to feed far more soldiers every day than it actually does, Dorgan said.



more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-gov/2004/dec/13/517976069.html

edited to add yahoo link:

Senate Dems Plan Investigatory Hearings

2 minutes ago Politics - U. S. Congress


By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - New Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said Monday his party will launch investigative hearings next year in response to what he said was the reluctance of Republicans to look into problems in the Bush administration.



"There are too many unasked and unanswered questions and the American public deserves better," the Nevada senator said at a news conference. He will formally succeed Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., as party leader next month.


Sen. Byron Dorgan (news, bio, voting record), D-N.D., who heads the Democratic Policy Committee, said the first hearing will be at the end of January and he suggested it might focus on contract abuse in Iraq (news - web sites). He said the policy committee, which has held occasional investigative hearings in the past, planned to convene at least one such hearing a month.


Dorgan said that with Republicans controlling the White House and both the House and Senate, "the congressional watchdog remains fast asleep in this Congress."

more: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041213/ap_on_go_co/democrats_oversight_1

[intheflow]

1. They're building a case for impeachment.

I'm sure that's what they're doing. That's what I'd be doing if I were in their place.

[Richardo]

What? Why would a GOP-majority House impeach a GOP pres?

He could murder a hooker and not be impeached.

It's a great idea, but let's not go overboard with expectations.

Now CRIMINAL charges - that's something else again.

[intheflow]

11. War crimes against humanity.

What I wouldn't give to see Chimpy and Co. on trial in the Hague!

[Richardo]

13. Which is probably why they opted out of the ICC...

THEY knew what they were going to do...

[trogdor]

55. Well, there's 2006 to consider.

They're not only building a case against Bush, they're also building a case against the GOP-majority Congress. The message seems clear to me - it you want something done about what's broken in our country, vote for us. Gingrich did it with the Contract With America. We'll do it with shadow hearings.

[NVMojo]

52. if only it were true .....

[spotbird]

2. The White House doesn't need to hide its crimes

they are right out in the open.

Unless the MSM takes interest in honest government we don't have a prayer. Gonzalas isn't going to proscute their crimes.

[pinerow]

3. It's about time....!!!

nt

[Pirate Smile]

4. Good news. Here is more -

"The new Democratic oversight team would not be Senate-sanctioned and would lack the subpoena powers held by official congressional oversight panels to compel testimony. But it likely will attract whistleblowers, Dorgan said.

"There are plenty of people who have seen what is going on inside these agencies and know what has gone on with some of these contracts," Dorgan said.

The team could have about 12 senators, Dorgan said."

I wonder who the 12 Senators will be - I can think of a couple who it would be good to put on there - former prosecutors and investigators. Ring any bells?

[maddezmom]

6. JOHN KERRY

:)

[Pirate Smile]

7. Bingo

;-)

[hinachan]

26. Kerry? No, thanks!

I'd rather see a prosecutor that doesn't cave in 24 hours after he pledges to fight. I've hired lame-ass attorneys like him in the past...got fleeced by him AND the jerk who ripped me off in the first place. :(

[maddezmom]

38. who would you like to see???

:shrug: there will be over a dozen.

[juliagoolia]

49. Kerry is PERFECT for this

He is a prosecutor, and he gets them when they don't expect it. In ways they don't expect to be gotten.

When Senators wouldn't prosecute BCCI after all the investigations etc.. He took it right to NY STATE and they did it.

He knows how to get them when they don't know they are being got.

[KittyWampus]

10. A DU'er Suggested Something Like This A While Back

BreadandWine, I think.

Great concept.

It'll be like a shadow government.

[goforit]

29. A little reverse psych is good for the gander.....

Can't hurt.

But hope it won't be just for show.

[TankLV]

20. That's how Harry Truman got his start - War Profiteering investigations.

Maybe Harry won't be so bad - in fact quite good - after all!

[Hotler]

23. Let Reverend Al sharpton

be their press secretary.

[Diane L]

5. It would be great if this takes them on a road to

impeachment, but can you impeach someone who is President via fraud?

[XemaSab]

47. It's good to note

that Nixon wasn't impeached. He quit.

"People want to know if their president is a crook, and well, I am not a crook."

[Geek_Girl]

8. I think this is great news and a major step in the right direction

Reid has stood up to the mafia and corruption in Las Vegas I hope he is as aggressive and steadfast with the Bush administration.

[Bouncy Ball]

9. What, some small signs of

testicular behavior in Dem leadership?

I'll believe it when I fucking see some Dems screaming about the evils the repukes are up to relentlessly and from every rooftop. THEN I'll believe this.

[NVMojo]

53. it is in Reid to be a hardass ... he is not milk toast...

i remember reading an article about his reaction in Nevada, after seeing Farenheit 9-11 ...

[mountainvue]

12. I wasn't too sure of Reid

at first but this is definitely a good sign.

[Dr Fate]

14. YAWWWWWN. They will fail, again.

It wont work unless they go on TV every single night....
And repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat the accusations.

My prediction is that this will go NOWHERE due to the inherent fear and dishonesty that DEMS have, regarding telling the truth about Bush & Republicans.

This is probably a ploy to solicit DNC donations- just like all of there "no, no-we really ARE fighting back" rhetoric is designed to do.

Call me back when DEMS are TV screaming about this "Monica Style"

[maddezmom]

15. ok...I'm going to pm you everytime I see one of these guys on TV

whether or not they are screaming. :silly:

[Dr Fate]

21. Make sure its someone the average person has heard of.

Not a pundit or a DNC rep- but a big name elected DEM- like Kerry, Hillary or Ted Kennedy.

You know- like the Republicans-the guys who are NOT afraid of fighting for their base- would do.

You wont be very busy, I promise.

If this is anything like the other hundreds of Bush scandals that DEMS refused to tell the truth about,this will die on the vine- I promise you that.

I have seen absolutley nothing to suggest DEMS have learned a god-damned thing. I'd love to be wrong.

[wildwww2]

24. Call me back when we get a minority leader from a blue state.

Reid will fold like a well used lawn chair. Like other posters and yourself have noted. Unless Reid and others get on T.V. every night and point out these fascist fucks for what they are. It will just be same old same old. But you are correct. They still want us to send their fascist appeasing asses money.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[Dr Fate]

27. They wont do it, because "the base" (shudder) thought of it.

And the DNC does the opposite of anything those "radicals" in the base want- no matter how many times we have been right.

They wont go on TV every night to confront Republicans and their media b/c confrontation gives them phantom pains where there nuts were severed.

[snippy]

16. Good idea if done right.

It needs to be an on going thing which has specific goals, follows a plan developed in advance, and the democrats need to work hard to get media coverage of the newsworthy contents of the hearings. Democrats should work with national media but they also should give interviews to local media in their home states whenever some of the most egregious Bushshit is covered in the hearings. Democrats should point out repeatedly when dealing with the media that these hearings are the responsibility of Congress but with one party control of the government republicans are shirking their Constitutional duty.

Democrats also should plan and schedule the topics of the hearings based on upcoming Bushshit announcements or proposals. For example they should hold hearings on the fraud and lies concerning the costs of the Medicare prescription drug benefit just before Bush releases the details of his plan to privatize Social Security. This will remind everyone, including fiscally conservative republicans, that Bush lies about things like this.

Democrats also should include hearings on the most blatant and egregious lies told by republicans other than Bush but related to the administration. One example of this would be the lies about blocking judicial nominations. Another example would be the lies about democrats being the party of higher government spending.

[Megahurtz]

17. Right On!

these oil tycoons, their accomplices and their fraud need more exposure. :thumbsup:

[acmavm]

18. Geez, people bitch when the dems don't do anything, and bitch when

they try to do something.

Face it, they have been pretty worthless up to this point (with only a very few exceptions), but when we do get a dollop of good news, it's whine city around here. What does anyone expect? This is how Watergate started out. The slow leaks.

[maddezmom]

19. agree, it's a start.....and it'll be uphill work

but atleast a few of them are willing to stick their necks out. :)

[Dr Fate]

22. Yeah- we are just "giving them enough rope to hang themsleves with"

Where have I heard that one b/f?

How bought we just hang the fuckers ourselves for a change.

[knight_of_the_star]

50. Because we have to be sure we get them solidly

If we just go after them outright we probably will miss. If we lay a solid foundation now it could give us ground to turn Congress back our way and put ourselves in a position to REALLY put the hurt on these guys.

[Bouncy Ball]

32. Look

I'll be happy IF I actually SEE something come of this. Right now it's just talk about doing it.

When I actually see Dems on TV and in other media outlets really screaming their heads off (figuratively of course) about all the abuses of this administration, then I'll believe it.

Until then, I've been here before.

[fshrink]

25. How' bout what's under our nose?

The major firm involved in the electoral process simultaneouly being one of the idiot's massive contributors? That doesn't qualify? Ah, I see, "get over it", right? Well then I think I'll get over Haliburton too. And the democratic party as well.

[democratic wing]

28. Sic 'em,Senator Reid!

"Reid has said he is looking for innovative ways to deliver a Democratic message to voters and to challenge Bush and congressional Republican leaders."

Truth to power,baby!

Go for it,Dems,and don't back off. Not even when the bastards call you "obstructionists."

And to all genuine patriots in the federal government:please stand up to the criminals and help us rescue our country and Constitution.

[belle]

51. I am liking this guy so far...

[goforit]

30. What whistleblower would conceed to a powerless entity?

[democratic wing]

33. Ones with guts and patriotism

[goforit]

42. Wrong. Without protection and justice, they and they're families will

suffer an unfathomable fate.

Again, show me that one Democrat has power to protect and prosecute.

[democratic wing]

43. it's a good thing...

that the original patriots and FF's were not cowards.

Think about it.:think:

[democratic wing]

31. Senators Reid & Dorgan

Some encouragement and support might be in order:

Senator Reid

http://reid.senate.gov/email_form.cfm

Senator Dorgan

http://dorgan.senate.gov/contactme/contact.cfm

[NVMojo]

54. thanks, I wrote them both!

[DeepModem Mom]

34. kick

[genieroze]

35. Good. eom

[DeepModem Mom]

36. kick

[Overseas]

37. Kick !! n/t

[progressoid]

39. Saw their press conference on C-Span last night. I say its about time

we had some backbone in the party again. Sure it will be an uphill struggle. but I think the press is aready getting tired of pretending that this administration is competent. I think they are itching for some good old fashioned muck to rake.

[twenty2strings]

40. Tweeeeeeeeeeet..........!

Give us something. I want to see the morning coffee and bullshit journalists unable to vaseline smile the whole thing over. I want to hear the word "bullshit!" from Katie Couric.:nuke:

[The Animator]

41. Agressivley sticking it to Republicans

This sounds like a job for Howard Dean. Sharpton and Kennedy and as well. Is Bob Graham still in the Senate? Could use his experience as head of the Senate Intelligence Commity.

I do hope this dog is mean and has big teeth. This administration needs a big bite in the ass.

Getting airtime on the mainstream media outlets will be difficult, but I'm sure they can document all their findings on C-Span. In addition, I'm certain the Washinton Post would be all too happy to publish their findings. Short of that, it will probably be up to us to make sure that the rest of the world finds out about it.

At least we might be able to direct non-beleivers to the C-Span website,(See, look, it's right there. That moron you voted for actually said that. They even caught him on tape!)



Oh, to have an objective, and ethical media again...

[StElsewhere]

44. Seems Like Good News

But can't help but think it's a little like closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. A watchdog group was needed during the time of the build up to the Iraq war or maybe even right after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Fine time to start thinking about watching what the administration is doing after they've grabbed themselves another four years.

[rodeodance]

45. current average rating is 4.29 with 190 vote(s).

You have given the news article Senate Dems Plan Investigatory Hearings a rating of 5.
Its current average rating is 4.29 with 190 vote(s).

[maddezmom]

46. Avg Rating: 4.29, 200 votes

[juliagoolia]

48. Opeartion RED alert is going to hear about this one.

I think its a good one for community posting.

Write me a handbill with a snappy headline and 50 words or less article!
Can end up on bulletin boards nationwide from
American's for Common Sense.