Editorial: The Executive is not the daddy branch

Yesterday, Tony Snow gave a stern warning to Democrats: if you issue subpoenas, Bush will rescind his offer to let Rove and other White House aides speak to Congress off the record about the U.S. Attorney firings.  Forget for just one minute that Bush's offer was not even a good one to begin with.  The bottom line is that the White House's threat amounted to a parent telling a child that if he talks back he will be sent to his room.

Since when was the Bush Administration supposed to be the Congress' daddy?  We are supposed to have three equal branches of government that offset one another in both power and influence.

Most past presidents have understood and respected Congress' right to investigate corruption -- whether it be in the private or public sector.  It just so happens that in this case Alberto Gonzales did not tell the truth under oath two months ago when he claimed that all replaced U.S. Attorneys would go through the Senate confirmation process.  Congress has every reason to subpoena White House officials, since they might uncover for American taxpayers why the Justice Department abruptly fired U.S. Attorneys.  Presidents Nixon, Reagan and Clinton all waved Executive Privilege.  Bush should do the same.

Comments

[Tony]

Senator Leahy: "I know he's the decider for the White House. He's not the decider for the United States Senate."

Tony

[Sornie]

The White House needs to remember who elected them and who pays their wages. They work at the pleasure of the citizens.