50 White House Officials used the RNC email accounts

[deminks]

I got your conspiracy theory right here:

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/12/50-white-house-officials-have-used-rnc-accounts/

he LA Times reports:

Today, 22 staffers have e-mail accounts issued by the Republican National Committee, Stanzel said, noting that it is a tiny percentage of the 1,000 political appointees in the executive office of the president.

Since 2001, about 50 staffers e-mailed using the system, he said. One former White House staffer told National Journal recently that Rove uses his Republican National Committee e-mail account for 95 % of his e-mail communications.

One former White House official, Assistant Press Secretary Adam Levine, told The Times that he was issued a private laptop computer but he found the dual system so cumbersome that he decided to use only his official White House computer.

However, Levine recalled seeing White House staff members moving fluidly between their official computers and the laptops provided by the Republican National Committee.

[Ganja Ninja]

1. So there's more than one computer with a record of those e-mails.

Get the subpoenas ready and this time demand the hard drives.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Internet Service Provider computers, computers at WH, RNC, and at home

Have they considered how many of these people have computers at home that were also used to check emails?

[ljm2002]

8. Yes, subpoena all of 'em...

...the best way to go after the emails, is to subpoena any and all computers that may have copies. That means the RNC servers, the individual laptops, and the Blackberry's. Also, all backup copies kept by the ISP, going back to 2000. Because a lot of the emails will show up in those backups.

And as others have pointed out, doing this will allow a reconstruction of just what emails were actually sent and to whom -- those darned email logs, and headers, and indexes that people make up. So when certain emails turn up missing, it will be easy enough to show that it had to be an intentional conspiracy to remove all traces.

Bring it on... But please, freeze those machines BEFORE the White House gets any further into its attempts at "recovering" (ha, ha) the missing emails.

[gristy]

22. Just called Waxman's Washington office

"Subpoena the servers!", said I.
"OK, I'll pass that on", said he.
"You do know what I'm talking about..."
"Yes, I do", said he.

:bounce:

In Washington, D.C.
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
[phone] (phone)
[phone] (fax)

[OnyxCollie]

23. Just called.

I told the person who answered that I felt Rep. Waxman, Rep. Conyers, and Sen. Leahy were true patroits and heroes, and I urged them to subpeona the servers immediately.

[waiting for hope]

2. "dual system"

Shadow Government all the way. Damn it, just IMPEACH them all and get it over with so the rest of us can go living a more stress free life.

[Supersedeas]

4. sounds like a concerted effort

[Skidmore]

5. Did any of them have a "W" in his name?

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Bush took an oath of email abstinence before he was sworn in

Before he even moved in he said he wasn't going to use emails citing he didn't want to open himself up for things getting subpoenaed. It was another *ho-hum* at the time it was reported.

[Gregorian]

6. They are running a RACKET.

It seems clear they have violated laws to defraud the American people of their voting rights, among other things.

[habitual]

7. 95%

think about that. what does that say. It says, why would Rove use anything else (5%) that has the ability to be scrutinized when he can do it all through the 'stealth' system.

He writes 100 emails:
95 Are using the RNC account
5 are using the official account

95 are out of reach and easily 'lost'
5 are on record.

[Chemical Bill]

10. Not to mention...

does Rove do any work for the taxpayers who kick in for his paycheck?

Bill

[wordpix]

19. Learn about the Hatch Act---anyone an expert?

Time to take down these criminals!

http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm#may

Hatch Act for Federal Employees

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government, District of Columbia government and some state and local employees who work in connection with federally funded programs. In 1993, Congress passed legislation that significantly amended the Hatch Act as it applies to federal and D.C. employees (5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326). (These amendments did not change the provisions that apply to state and local employees. 5 U.S.C. §§ 1501- 1508.) Under the amendments most federal and D.C. employees are now permitted to take an active part in political management and political campaigns. A small group of federal employees are subject to greater restrictions and continue to be prohibited from engaging in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns.

OSC has developed a number of booklets, posters and fact sheets that explain the application of the Hatch Act. Copies of the booklets and posters can be ordered from the Government Printing Office. The fact sheet may be downloaded or emailed directly from the OSC website. Additionally, OSC has created a PowerPoint presentation - "Political Activity and the Federal Employee" - which covers the rules and regulations of the Hatch Act.

* Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity
* Agencies/Employees Who Are Prohibited From Engaging in Partisan Political Activity
* Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Not Participate in Partisan Political Activity
* Hatch Act Regulations
* Penalties for Violating the Hatch Act
* Advisories for Federal Employees
* Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Employees Who May Engage in Partisan Political Activity

Federal employees should also be aware that certain political activities may also be criminal offenses under title 18 of the U.S. Code. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 210, 211, 594, 595, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 610.



Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity

These federal and D.C. employees may-

* be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
* register and vote as they choose
* assist in voter registration drives
* express opinions about candidates and issues
* contribute money to political organizations
* attend political fundraising functions
* attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
* join and be an active member of a political party or club
* sign nominating petitions
* campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
* campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
* make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
* distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
* hold office in political clubs or parties

These federal and D.C. employees may not-

* use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
* solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
* solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
* be candidates for public office in partisan elections
* engage in political activity while:
o on duty
o in a government office
o wearing an official uniform
o using a government vehicle
* wear partisan political buttons on duty



Agencies/Employees Prohibited From Engaging in Partisan Political Activity

Employees of the following agencies (or agency components), or in the following categories, are subject to more extensive restrictions on their political activities than employees in other Departments and agencies:

Administrative Law Judges (positions described at 5 U.S.C. § 5372)
Central Imagery Office
Central Intelligence Agency
Contract Appeals Boards (positions described at 5 U.S.C. § 5372a)
Criminal Division (Department of Justice)
Defense Intelligence Agency
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Elections Commission
Merit Systems Protection Board
National Security Agency
National Security Council
Office of Criminal Investigation (Internal Revenue Service)
Office of Investigative Programs (Customs Service)
Office of Law Enforcement (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms)
Office of Special Counsel
Secret Service
Senior Executive Service (career positions described at 5 U.S.C. § 3132(a)(4))

[krispos42]

11. "22 staffers have e-mail accounts issued by the Republican National Committee"

Yeah, only the 22 most important and senior officials. It's a tiny percentage, so don't worry about it. Because Karl Rove is just as important as the junior intern who opens the mail.

[Spazito]

14. Excellent point! n/t

[paparush]

12. I'd call that a big old country 'handful'

[Art_from_Ark]

21. Handful?

Heck, that's more than enough to fill a fake cowboy's fake 10-gallon hat and his fake Stetson boots, with plenty left over.

[pinto]

13. Kick.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

15. "a tiny percentage" weren't there under 10 plumbers?

:shrug:

[Disturbed]

16. Waxman should order all of those confiscated now.

The longer the delay the more hardrives will go missing.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

18. its too similar to why nixon was almost impeached. Its like the watergate tapes for the 21st century

please let them subpoena all the hard drives and servers already

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

17. .

[wordpix]

20. The Hatch Act---is anyone an expert?

Time to take down these criminals!

http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm#may

Hatch Act for Federal Employees

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government, District of Columbia government and some state and local employees who work in connection with federally funded programs. In 1993, Congress passed legislation that significantly amended the Hatch Act as it applies to federal and D.C. employees (5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326). (These amendments did not change the provisions that apply to state and local employees. 5 U.S.C. §§ 1501- 1508.) Under the amendments most federal and D.C. employees are now permitted to take an active part in political management and political campaigns. A small group of federal employees are subject to greater restrictions and continue to be prohibited from engaging in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns.

OSC has developed a number of booklets, posters and fact sheets that explain the application of the Hatch Act. Copies of the booklets and posters can be ordered from the Government Printing Office. The fact sheet may be downloaded or emailed directly from the OSC website. Additionally, OSC has created a PowerPoint presentation - "Political Activity and the Federal Employee" - which covers the rules and regulations of the Hatch Act.

* Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity
* Agencies/Employees Who Are Prohibited From Engaging in Partisan Political Activity
* Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Not Participate in Partisan Political Activity
* Hatch Act Regulations
* Penalties for Violating the Hatch Act
* Advisories for Federal Employees
* Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Employees Who May Engage in Partisan Political Activity

Federal employees should also be aware that certain political activities may also be criminal offenses under title 18 of the U.S. Code. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 210, 211, 594, 595, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 610.



Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity

These federal and D.C. employees may-

* be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
* register and vote as they choose
* assist in voter registration drives
* express opinions about candidates and issues
* contribute money to political organizations
* attend political fundraising functions
* attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
* join and be an active member of a political party or club
* sign nominating petitions
* campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
* campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
* make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
* distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
* hold office in political clubs or parties

These federal and D.C. employees may not-

* use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
* solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
* solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
* be candidates for public office in partisan elections
* engage in political activity while:
o on duty
o in a government office
o wearing an official uniform
o using a government vehicle
* wear partisan political buttons on duty



Agencies/Employees Prohibited From Engaging in Partisan Political Activity

Employees of the following agencies (or agency components), or in the following categories, are subject to more extensive restrictions on their political activities than employees in other Departments and agencies:

Administrative Law Judges (positions described at 5 U.S.C. § 5372)
Central Imagery Office
Central Intelligence Agency
Contract Appeals Boards (positions described at 5 U.S.C. § 5372a)
Criminal Division (Department of Justice)
Defense Intelligence Agency
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Elections Commission
Merit Systems Protection Board
National Security Agency
National Security Council
Office of Criminal Investigation (Internal Revenue Service)
Office of Investigative Programs (Customs Service)
Office of Law Enforcement (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms)
Office of Special Counsel
Secret Service
Senior Executive Service (career positions described at 5 U.S.C. § 3132(a)(4))

[PegDAC]

24. DC may have some differences

since the vast majority of residents are employed by the Government. I know that when I worked at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the restrictions were relaxed somewhat because the post was the largest employer.