Waxman Cuts Deal for "Off Record Interviews" w/Bartlett/McClellan and Gerson!

[KoKo]

(I don't understand why Waxman would cut a deal like this with Bartlett, McClellan and speechwriter Gerson. Sounds like what Specter and the Repugs have been wanting...Closed Door, No Transcript, No Oath... The article doesn't say if those are the conditions they agreed to but "informal meetings" sounds like the same as "closed door." I hope Waxman will give us more information on this.)


Former White House aides to be interviewed in Tillman investigation
08/02/2007 @ 1:43 pm
Filed by Nick Juliano



A House committee investigating Patrick Tillman's death by friendly fire agreed Thursday to off-the-record interviews with White House aides.

Oversight Committee Chairman Henry Waxman agreed to "informal" interviews with three former presidential aides: communications director Dan Bartlett, spokesman Scott McClellan and speechwriter Michael Gerson.

"We believe this is a constructive offer and we are willing to proceed on this basis," Waxman and ranking Republican Tom Davis wrote to White House counsel Fred Fielding.

The committee reserved the right to subpoena the former aides if it was not satisfied after the private session that they were not involved in mishandling the disclosure of the circumstances surrounding Tillman's death.


In requesting the former officials' testimony and documents from the White House, the Oversight Committee is trying to determine who knew what, and when White House officials learned that Tillman was killed by US troops, not enemy fire. Committee members also are expected to address the White House's strategy in responding to press inquiries about Tillman's death in the weeks after he was killed.

http://rawstory.com/printstory.php?story=7084

ON EDIT BREAKING!

THINK PROGRESS HAS MORE INFO:


Three former Bush aides to testify in Tillman inquiry.

House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), announced today that the White House will allow three former top aides tesify in an inquiry into the friendly-fire death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan. Former White House Counselor Dan Bartlett, former Press Secretary Scott McClellan, and former speechwriter Michael Gerson will testify “without a transcript and with White House attorneys present.” If investigators determine that the aides have relevant information, they will be asked to return for transcribed interviews.

“The White House has reserved the right to oppose that by claiming executive privilege.”

Read the letter from Waxman and Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) to White House Counsel Fred Fielding here.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/three-former-bush-aides-to-testify-in-tillman-inquiry/

[BlooInBloo]

1. sonofabitch. They better be aiming at bigger fish.

[aquart]

2. Why even bother?

This is just a license to lie.

[Ian David]

3. Nooo! I want to see Scotty on tha Tee-Vee! I MISS HIM!!!

I miss my daily Snotty Scotty Roasting Party!

Awwwww....

I'll just have to content myself with watching Basil Fawlty beat the crap out of Manuel

[DU9598]

4. Bigger fish is right

This tells me that Waxman senses or already has proof that this issue is a powder keg and it goes to the very top.

[KoKo]

24. ...

[fasttense]

5. So now witnesses can lie without any problems.

Congress is a joke. They are afraid to use the power the Constitution gives them. Now, no one will pay any attention to subpoenas for witnesses from congress. Hey, if they give off the record, not under oath, interviews for these guys, why not for everyone? Congress has freely given up their authority to the bushes.

[tritsofme]

6. It is still a crime to lie to Congress

Even if you are not under oath.

[KoKo]

9. That's what worries me... What happens with Miers and Rove now?

They aren't going to be punished but allowed to come and meet behind closed doors to satisfy the Repugs wishes and not the Dems? It makes us look weak even if Waxman thinks he will get info...we can already see that the Repugs won't allow info out and the witnesses just lie and dare Congress to do something about it.

[rox63]

7. Maybe Waxman decided this was better than not getting them to talk at all

Unfortunately, that may be the case. Also, it kind of blows *'s claim of executive priviledge out of the water. It weakens the case for executive priviledge if they give any sort of testimony. Also, even without an oath, it's still a crime to lie to Congress.

[Jackpine Radical]

8. I'm sure Waxie has something up his sleeve.

This will turn out not to be what it looked like on the surface. Henry hasn't let us down yet.

[KoKo]

11. I hope you are correct about this Jackpine. ....fingers crossed.

[Jackpine Radical]

19. Faith, KoKo. Faith. (nt)

[hootinholler]

21. Except for that Sibel hearing...

And then there's the Halliburton hearings.

Off the top of my head.

-Hoot

[dkofos]

10. Bug the room Henry.

[PRETZEL]

12. Even though I'd like to see all under oath

I may not necessarily have too many problems with this. These 3 wouldn't (or at least shouldn't) have had much input into the decision to the cover up.

They're the messengers, not the message makers.

[ThomWV]

13. No, these guys are pissants. The open hearings are for the Principals

They have been taking all sorts of depositions and off camera interviews with the pissants, these are just a few more.

[EFerrari]

14. I trust Henry Waxman. n/t

[KoKo]

15. I just edited for NEW INFO: Interview WITHOUT TRANSCRIPT, with lawyers

(Without a transcript how will anyone be able to review the testimony for lies or mistatements? Maybe Bush will refuse the compromise, though. Then he's nailed.)

------------
Three former Bush aides to testify in Tillman inquiry.

House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), announced today that the White House will allow three former top aides tesify in an inquiry into the friendly-fire death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan. Former White House Counselor Dan Bartlett, former Press Secretary Scott McClellan, and former speechwriter Michael Gerson will testify “without a transcript and with White House attorneys present.” If investigators determine that the aides have relevant information, they will be asked to return for transcribed interviews. “The White House has reserved the right to oppose that by claiming executive privilege.”

Read the letter from Waxman and Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) to White House Counsel Fred Fielding here.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/three-former-bush-aides-to-testify-in-tillman-inquiry/

[PRETZEL]

16. that being the case

I can only assume that Waxman will most certainly only ask questions he already knows the answers to. I'll bet that if these 3 come off as the rest of the bunch then I can almost guarantee that Waxman will go full bore leaving no prisoners and Tom Davis can only sit there and bitch and complain to the choir.

[EFerrari]

18. I saw that. No transcript, not oath, they get lawyers and the people

get nothing. But still, I trust Mr. Waxman. If anyone can pull something out of this deal, he can.

(And you know, I don't trust most of them, lol!)

[Jackpine Radical]

20. Maybe the point isn't in getting the testimony, but in allowing the

opportunity. Let them come in & stonewall in private. Than you've given them their chance. Then you are standing on mre solid ground when you go after the big fish.

[endarkenment]

17. Attention: POM POM SQUAD!

Cleanup on aisle seven!

[KoKo]

22. huh?

[KoKo]

23. Latest News is that Bush has given the "High Five" to this Compromise.

So...it's a Negotiation.