Immunity for Ex-Gonzales Aide Weighed

[cal04]

Source: Washington Post

The confrontation between Congress and the Bush administration over the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys escalated again yesterday as Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee said they are weighing an offer of immunity to a potential key witness in the investigation.

At the same time, the Republican National Committee yesterday turned down congressional demands that it hand over e-mails related to the firings, angering Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.).

Frustrated by Monica M. Goodling's refusal to testify, committee Democrats said they may grant limited-use immunity to the former counsel to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

Such a grant of immunity, which would require the approval of two-thirds of the nearly 40-member panel, would free Goodling to speak about the plan to fire the U.S. attorneys and the dismissals' aftermath, without fear that prosecutors could use her testimony in a criminal proceeding. Goodling has invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/17/AR2007041701984.html?hpid=topnews

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"Recognizing the unique and significant nature of the potential privilege issue raised by the committee's requests, the RNC has agreed to the White House's reasonable request," Robert K. Kelner, an RNC lawyer, wrote to Conyers. Conyers responded that the action was "a clear attempt on the administration's part to delay this process."

[Demeter]

1. I'm Inclined To Think Monica Should Be hung Out to Dry

It rather looks like those emails they DID turn over incriminate her most. Only if she can hang Rove, Cheney AND W should she get any limited immunity.

[Fridays Child]

2. I'm guessing that the committee thinks she can deliver Rove, or better.

But I wonder if her former overlords have already made her "an offer she can't refuse."

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. I wouldn't hope for much,

according to some people who have had the misfortune of dealing with her in Washington she is a true believer and would probably be flattered at the prospect of being a martyr.

But here is the invisible woman in all her bible thumping glory

[Eurobabe]

9. Nice Ralph Lauren shirt,

:eyes:

[Fresh_Start]

3. no, make her appear and say "I refuse to answer on the grounds

that I may incriminate myself" 50-100 times first.

Then offer her immunity so that you know where exactly she thinks the crimes were committed.

[Gman]

4. Mr. Conyers, call it was it is

obstruction of justice and contempt of Congress.

[Miss Chybil]

5. Very smart move, if they do it.

Why? She is nobody, but she apparently has a lot of information - information she is afraid to reveal - on SOMEBODIES. They can eke little bits of info out of her over long periods of time with various torturous questions - during which time each small bit that is revealed the Somebodies can spin and muddy. Or, they can give her a deal and have her lay it all out on the table for all to see, all at once in bright and living color. I think the latter would be the most productive.

[BlueManDude]

7. Don't do it

[BeFree]

8. Send her to Gitmo

They have their ways.

Actually, as a supposed Christian, she should have nothing to hide. But I suspect she is not a real Christian, just a storefront Christian.