Lawyer: In Denying Role in Siegelman Case, Rove 'actually incriminated himself'

[tekisui]

Although Karl Rove has repeatedly refused to testify under oath before the House Judiciary Committee about the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, he has now sent a letter to a Republican member of the committee denying any involvement in the case.

In that letter, Rove writes, "I have never communicated, either directly or indirectly, with Justice Department or Alabama officials about the investigation, indictment, potential prosecution, prosecution, conviction, or sentencing of Governor Siegelman, or about any other matter related to his case, nor have I asked any other individual to communicate about these matters on my behalf. I have never attempted, either directly or indirectly, to influence these matters."

"Sounds like a firm denial," began MSNBC's Don Abrams in commenting on the letter. However, he immediately pointed out that "Rove did not address specifically the question of whether he contacted any non-government officials about the case -- and specifically, whether he ever spoke to his old friend Bill Canary ... an influential Republican in Alabama who just happens to be married to the US Attorney Leura Canary whose office brought the case against Siegelman."

Abrams then asked Siegelman himself about Rove's charge that he "has not offered a single piece of evidence that I played any role whatsoever in his case" and that "before giving credence to Siegelman's baseless allegations of impropriety, the committee should require Siegelman to substantiate his allegations."

Link: http://rawstory.com//news/2008/Lawyer_Republicans_gave_Rove_excuse_to_0724.html

[chelsea0011]

1. When is he going to be brought in cuffed?:

[PDJane]

2. I would like to be the foreign observer

for that event.

[L. Coyote]

3. FALSE: "...a letter to a Republican member of the committee denying any involvement in the case."

That is a patently FALSE assertion and is the very Republican Talking Point the letter was likely intended to enable. RAW STORY has been conned by Rove!!

Rove only denies a very narrow range of action!! This is not new and what he has done before, denying speaking to USA Canary, but not denying speaking to her husband.

[klyon]

4. If he is saying he has nothing to do with it, why won't he testify?

And how could any executive privilege apply if the White House or Rove were not involved. He makes it look like he is involved by trying to avoid answering questions. If he just appeared and lied, it seems he would be better off. This way all things point right at him and the Bush administration.