Siegelman to Speak at Democratic Convention

[Hissyspit]

Source: WHNT

Only on 19: Siegelman Invited to Speak at Democratic Convention

NewsChannel 19's Greg Privett reports

August 13, 2008

Don Siegelman will speak at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Siegelman tells NewsChannel 19 he has accepted an invitation extended by the Colorado delegation. Targeted by Republican prosecutors, Alabama's former governor says he will talk, in particular, about the critical need to reveal former Bush White House adviser Karl Rove's role in politicizing the United States Department of Justice. The DOJ, under Bush, has gone after Democrats seven times more than Republicans.

In the Siegelman case, the prosecutors -- then Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor followed by U.S. Attorneys Alice Martin and Leura Canary -- along with Federal District Judge Mark Fuller have personal, political, or in some cases, business ties to the Bush administration. Siegelman tells us it's not just his case he'll be talking about in Denver. The Governor explains he'll be advancing the cause to seek the truth about who hijacked the Justice Department.

Even though President Bush leaves office in January, Siegleman insists Congress must take action now. "I think you can have an election," Siegelman told NewsChannel 19 in an exclusive interview.

"You can elect a president," he said. "And you can put in new people. But unless Congress speaks loudly on this issue and unless people are held accountable for their violations of the law, for their abuse of power, and their misuse of the Department of Justice -- using it as a political weapon, using it as a political tool which subverted peoples rights to a fair trial, which jeopardized our democracy -- if we don't speak loudly on this issue and hold people accountable, then those new U.S, Attorneys are not going to take this thing as seriously as they should. And it's likely to happen again. This country doesn't need that."

Read more: http://www.whnt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8838501

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[Justitia]

1. Yay! Thanks for the good news. -eom

[trashcanistanista]

2. Excellent choice. This will change the tone of the

convention.

[L. Coyote]

37. A global audience too! Awesome news. Rec # 55

[MindMatter]

42. This could be a very good strategy if done right

This must not come across as sour grapes.

The message needs to be one, not of conservative values versus progressive values, but of what America stands for. The issue at stake is the threat to the future of America from the erosion of the sense of fairness and the rule of law.

The issue is not the Segelman case. His situation is just one data point for a much larger problem that truly threatens what America stands for. Whether we are talking about the influence of oil companies, the Federal attorney firings, the Plame case, the billions sent to Halliburton and friends, the core issue is the same in every case. It is organized crime of an unprecedented, almost unfathomable scale. It is practiced by the highest elected officials. That is bad enough, but at least they have to stand for election from time to time. The greater problem is all the unelected people like Rove who do these things believing they are out of the reach of any law or any prosecutor. The scale of this criminality is 1000 times greater than Nixon's plumbers.

I hope he can effectively make this a call to arms for all people who love this country.

[L. Coyote]

49. Rs will scream "convicted felon" of course.

[dglow]

60. Yes, but

This is great news. But, I find it a bit curious that while Siegleman is being given a platform to discuss the abuses of the Bush Regime, the Dems are allowing the Denver police to build cages in a warehouse near the Convention Center to house protesters who wish only to exercise their rights to assemble and dissent. After all, it is the policies of the Repugs that they are targeting in the first place. These "cages" are said to be made of fencing material with barbed wire. According to the CBS affiliate in Denver, signs are to be displayed warning these these peace protesters of execution?

No doubt the Repugs have more sinister plans for Minneapolis.

I've contacted Howie Dean, Amnesty International, and the ACLU to report these planned police state tactics. I hope others will also.

[bjobotts]

63. First thing out of dems mouths will be"let's forget the past and move forward"

They will add,"it will only look like a partisan witch hunt to the voters" Face it, the dem leadership are cowards who only wish to "avoid conflict" not uphold the law or the constitution.

Next they will be putting would-be protesters in locked bathrooms. Protesters might just as well stay at home and put protest signs on their front porches for all the controlled exposure they will get. Just pathetic.

[babylonsister]

3. No kidding? WOW! nt

[mzmolly]

61. Ditto.

I hope he'll find some solace in the support and his opportunity to speak about what he's been through.

[trashcanistanista]

4. They need to get Valerie and/or Joe Wilson to speak as

icing on the cake.

[skyounkin]

7. Hell yeah! Get everyone in the convention.

This makes me happy.

[barbtries]

8. i'd love to see that

[midnight]

27. This is a great suggestion!

[madamesilverspurs]

28. Plame-Wilson should be invited

and seated in Pelosi's line of sight. In fact, Pelosi should explain publicly why the crime(s) against them have gone unanswered. She should, but she won't.

[LibDemAlways]

30. The theme one night should be "crimes that occurred in

the Bush WH." If the Dems were smart, they'd showcase the many criminal acts of the Bush admin. Unfortunately, they can't because the leadership refused to take action.

Pelosi is a gutless, spineless Bush enabler who should retire to her SF mansion and live out her days in shame.

[mdmc]

33. agreed

[glitch]

35. They can if they say that new leadership will take action.

Humiliating for the current leadership but they deserve it.

[mdmc]

32. agreed

[MessiahRp]

47. It would probably be a great idea...

Spend a whole day on how Republicans have broken law after law and how Democrats will represent a return to the rule of law.

People will want to hear that message and these people are perfect examples of how the GOP pissed all over the constitution the past 8 years.

Rp

[emlev]

5. Proud to give this its fifth rec! May the nation finally hear Siegelman!

[EFerrari]

6. This makes me so happy. Go, Don.

K&R

[KingOfLostSouls]

9. OH YEAH!!!!

this is gonna be a fricken awesome convention.



putting siegelman front and center while the criminal rove runs loose ignoring the will of the people is gonna REALLY illustrate how evil and corrupt the GOP is.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Siegelman's situation needs as much attention as possible. People need to know what Bush/Rove did to

him, and what they have done to others. Republicans need to have their pResident's crimes trotted out and examined as fully as possible.

This political suppression, persecution, intimidation should be illuminated openly and often to the point everyone in the country finally knows fully well how these P.O.S.'s handle power when they steal it. Republicans are too weak, too stupid, too greedy to be able to deal with the power that comes with the country's highest office. They are deteriorated people, not good enough to "serve."

[Hubert Flottz]

11. The networks will all have sound problems as soon as he...

opens his mouth...

[druidity33]

12. Siegelman as VP?

I don't think anyone has ever mentioned him... not enough experience i suppose. Does his prosecution preclude him running?



K&R.

[trof]

13. Plenty of experience.

Only person in Alabama to be elected to all four statewide offices:
Sec. of State, Att. Gen., Lt. Gov., Gov.
Years of experience is all facets of government.

And smart as a whip.
Georgetown Law, Oxford - international law.

Plus, a good speaker and photogenic too.
I like it.

[Demeter]

14. Was that a pre-emptive strike then? To keep him out of VP running?

I wouldn't put it past Rove, frankly. The man is evil.

[L. Coyote]

38. Probably. How many great people have been dirty tricked to deter their political participation?

From personal experience, it seems the dirty tricks stuff against political rivals goes back to at least 1968!!

[clear eye]

40. That makes a sort of scary sense.

Dems generally go for a Southern VP to overcome Southerners' fears of liberal Yankees. Although he is Jewish, so he might not be quite so reassuring to the Bible belt. Second thought, it might have been enough for them that he stood in the way of a Republican takeover of Alabama.

Pet peeve: I wish people would start saying "persecute" rather than "prosecute" when talking about what was done to him. It can't be called a prosecution unless there was a good faith belief that he committed a crime.

[virgdem]

44. A tiny note of correction..

Siegelman is Catholic, but his wife is Jewish. I'm not sure if his Wife's religion would be a detraction from his being selected as VP, but his legal problems would probably preclude him from being selected.

[clear eye]

66. Oops! Thanks

I made a false assumption after reading something his daughter said that mentioned her Jewishness. Maybe my mistake is more understandable if you know that I live in the greater NYC area, and around here most Siegelmans are Jewish.

[HillbillyBob]

62. "persecute" rather than "prosecute"

I used to live in Alabama ..I learned to just put persecute in place of prosecute mentally..saves brain sweat.

[eppur_se_muova]

58. GTMA -- I believe that idea has been mentioned around here a few time.

I have a pronounced tendency to believe it myself.

[NBachers]

23. Man, wouldn't that be something?

Sure Beats Bayh!

[Crabby Appleton]

43. He's a convicted felon out on appeal bond

the person convicted of bribing him is still in prison - deemed a flight risk. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama un-invites him from speaking.

[L. Coyote]

50. HELLO! "convicted felon" isn't exactly a PLUS, no matter the debate

over how he got convicted and by whom.

[Dinger]

15. Great News! Thanks! (nt)

[madrchsod]

16. the media will never cover his speech....

but that being said

REMEMBER------IMPEACHMENT IS OFF THE TABLE

[Laura PourMeADrink]

54. right. He'll probably speak at 2 in the afternoon

[Wabbajack_]

17. He's not a "conservative" dino?

[Stuckinthebush]

18. No. He's a southern Democrat

But Don is not a DINO.

[Stuckinthebush]

19. The archetype of the hero

Don's story is very similar to the mythical "hero". He had to descend into the abyss to fight and I do believe he has come out much stronger. His is a story of amazing success as a politician in a state that is very conservative. He fought against the Republicans and, in their mind, had to be destroyed. They sent him into the abyss (prison) and he began to fight harder. Don is not squeaky clean, but he sure has cleansed himself through his experience. I do believe that if Don wanted to move onto the national stage he could.

[xchrom]

20. recommend!

very cool.

[marauding liberal]

21. Excellent!

[Ishoutandscream2]

22. This is good. No more "Mr. Nice Guy" like the 2004 convention

Republican crimes and dirty pool need to be exposed before a national audience. This is very, very good. We need to attack, attack, attack! No more "Mr. Nice Guy."

[avaistheone1]

41. The best news in weeks.

This was a brilliant decision. Siegelman will speak before a national audience. Bravo.

[TooBigaTent]

24. Please allow a word of caution - the media coverage will not give fair exposure to the truth of his

story.

What you will hear and read is that "the Democrat party gives major speaking role to convicted felon" or some similar garbage.

While those who know what happened (a minority of the public) and Democratic partisans will celebrate this "aggressiveness" by the party, the viewing public will be sold the "Dems as criminals" meme.

[LibDemAlways]

34. You've got that right. The focus will be on the

alleged "crimes" of Siegelman, and there will be a lot of "What are the Dems thinking, allowing a criminal to speak" shit. His message will be completely ignored. Bad idea.

[midnight]

57. Not at all. I think it is time to give this man the stage.

[Stevepol]

25. Perhaps he will mention the voting machines that got him un-elected

Of course, we don't want to suggest this too loudly because that would be a conspiracy theory and heaven knows we wouldn't want to be thought of as conspiracy theorists.

[L. Coyote]

39. The theft of the 2002 election in Alabama is simmering on the back burner!

Turn up the heat, I say!

... and ask John McCain what he knew and when he knew it!

McCain's Reed Fundraiser Revives Scrutiny Of His Abramoff Investigation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[eppur_se_muova]

59. I'd love to hear him give a first-person account of that election night ...

and warn people that it could happen in the general election in November. Too many people still have that "it couldn't happen here" reaction to any suggestion of election fraud.

[EFerrari]

65. Me, too and amen. He's in a unique position to make party people

pay attention.

[asjr]

26. I hope the media pay attention this time.

I lived in AL when he was governor and liked him very much. It is plain to anyone that he was betrayed by people who should never have been elected or appointed.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

29. Exposure!

If he's featured on the teevee, millions of people will hear this story for the first time. This is both outrageous that it hasn't already gotten more coverage and awesome that sunlight is finally filtering in.

[mdmc]

31. nice

r

[Rhiannon12866]

36. K&R. n/t

[knixphan]

45. K&R

[kmac3]

46. Great political move . . . .

"putting siegelman front and center while the criminal rove runs loose ignoring the will of the people is gonna REALLY illustrate how evil and corrupt the GOP is."

Great plan . . . few know about the injustices this man experienced because any news negative to Bush and his staff is totally censored by MSM. Put it all out there for everyone to see the real GOP and what it truly symbolizes.

[catgirl]

48. This is great news!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

51. Wonderful. Tell the world Governor.

K&R!!

Hiya Hissy and thank you

[Canuckistanian]

52. Good! His appearance should be electrifying.

Rove THOUGHT he had killed and buried Siegelman.

This is one issue that will bite Rove on the ass.

One among many.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

53. You go Don. Wonderful news.

[Uncle Joe]

55. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Hissyspit.

[bianchi1956]

56. Dennis Kucinich

I would very much like to see Dennis Kucinich read his articles of impeachment at the convention.

[VenusRising]

64. Kick and a rec for Gov. Siegelman!