O'Donnell asked congresswoman to go "on the record" with "promise" that Dems won't "make the president's final two years in office a living hell"
On the October 18 edition of MSNBC News Live, MSNBC chief Washington correspondent Norah O'Donnell asked Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) to go "on the record" with a "promise" that Democrats "will not issue tens or hundreds of subpoenas to the White House when it comes to Katrina, Iraq, and a number of issues" that would "make the president's final two years in office a living hell." O'Donnell also baselessly suggested that such oversight would "mean that nothing gets done in Washington." Her comments were first noted by the weblog Firedoglake.
Earlier in the segment, which also included a discussion with Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), O'Donnell suggested that reviewing Democratic voting records on wiretapping and detainee abuse "helps [the White House] make a compelling argument" that "Democrats are weak when it comes [to] defense." O'Donnell made the remark while citing an article in The Washington Times in which White House senior adviser Karl Rove said that "it is useful to remind Democrats of what they said and what they do," and that "[s]omething is fundamentally flawed" in the Democrats' voting records.
This is not the first time O'Donnell has repeated Republican Party talking points unchallenged. As Media Matters for America noted, on the August 31 edition of Hardball, O'Donnell asked Democratic strategist Bob Shrum if "part of the problem that the Democrats have is they don't have a message to respond to the president" on the Iraq war. The following day, O'Donnell asked MSNBC political analyst Ron Reagan if withdrawing from Iraq would "essentially hand a victory to the terrorists," an exchange that was also noted by Media Matters.
From the October 18 edition of MSNBC News Live at 11am:
O'DONNELL: We now have Karl Rove indicating that he is confident of a Republican victory in November, and let me show you what he told The Washington Times and what the theme is. They say that "it is useful to remind Democrats of what they said and what they do." We have this in a full screen, quote, "You have 90 percent of House Democrats voting against the terrorist surveillance program. Nearly three-quarters of Senate Democrats and 80 percent of House Democrats voting against the terrorist interrogation. Something is fundamentally flawed," says Karl Rove. Let me ask you about that, congresswoman: This White House makes the point that Democrats are weak when it comes on defense. When he cites those statistics, it helps them make a compelling argument, does it not?
[...]
O'DONNELL: Let me put you on record here, because we see Bill Clinton talking about the politics of common good and the need for that to take place. You say the Democrats have a positive agenda. Can you promise, then, that when Democrats, if they re-take the House of Representatives and the Senate, will not issue tens or hundreds of subpoenas to the White House when it comes to Katrina, Iraq, and a number of issues and essentially make the president's final two years in office a living hell, if you will, and mean that nothing gets done in Washington.
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In his final two years?
I dont think so, but the Partisan hatemongers probably believe it will.
If it stops him from starting another senseless war, it could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Did the invasion of Iraq help America? If so, how?
I hope they DO make the last two years of his term a living hell. IMPEACH BUSH!
If Bush attacks Iran, every top Democrat will be lining up to give their support...and collect their AIPAC checks.
Investigations and subpeonas, if there is reason for them, are not attacks.
It absolutly COULD. IF he is impeached, put in chains and delivered to the Hague to stand trial for the Supreme War Crime, starting a war of aggression ( if the Nuremberg laws were applied he would be hung) it sure might give the next president that wants to start a war with lies and misrepresentations cause to think again. THAT would be good for America. Bush idolotors like YOU dont think so apparanlty. Also it could stop warrantless wiretaps and end a senseless war in Iraq. Also good for America as far as I am concerned. I understand I dont speak for Bush idolotors
That it's "hanged". Unless you're talking about something else...
>>That it's "hanged". Unless you're talking about something else..
Look it up in the dictionary. "Hung" is an acceptable past tense of "to hang." So stop being a snob.
People are hanged.
They're both correct past tense forms of "hang" but they have a subtle but important difference in meaning.
subpeonas and investigations are "attacks" if they are fishing expeditions that are motivated by nothing other than partisanship...like the old Ken Starr inquiry.
Should the current President be investigated for Iraq, Katrina, wiretapping, torture etc et al? Yes, the American people deserve to know exactly what the administration knew and when they knew it and what they did about it. However, if the Dems are gonna try and impeach him for some intern bobbing his knob than the Dems deserve to rot in the opposition benches.
not Democrats. Democrats are also somewhat less confused on such difficult concepts as "consent."
Besides, as you're obviously aware, there's a huge quantity of real offenses for which this administration needs to be investigated, leaving little time to waste on such important questions as whether Shrub made a suspicious choice of which tie to wear on a day that Scooter would be testifying before a grand jury.
to Bill Clinton. guess you partisan drones need to learn to think ahead farther then your next gang-rape of kids
>>"Will attacking the President help America? In his final two years? I dont think so, but the Partisan hatemongers probably believe it will."<<
It's assumed you are referring to the last couple years of the Clinton presidency, when partisan hatemongers like yourself attempted to drive Clinton out of office, thereby "hurting America".
You wingnuts weren't asking yourselves those kinds of questions back then.
TIME it right.
We all know by now that every member of this current administration is incompetent, corrupt, and prone to telling lies TO Congress AND the American people about important matters.
We know that they have violated the Constitution and their oaths of office, indulging in illegal practices for YEARS. There are hundreds of "quid pro quos" of delivered governmental advantages in exchange for millions in "campaign" contributions.
In short, with even the most fundamental oversight, this Administration can be impeached many times over.
But TIME it right, Democrat Majority Congress: Impeach and REMOVE Cheney FIRST.
Again, your eloquent post hits the nail on the head. Cheney would definitely need to be the first to be prosecuted, impeached and convicted. THEN go after Bush. The last thing we need is to go after Bush, thereby making Cheney president upon conviction of Bush.
Republicans certainly aren't going to do it -- they're busy ripping pieces off of it to sell to the highest bidder.
I can't wait to see the flurry of subpoenas and investigations. All Grand Old Pedophiles should be trembling in fear. Is it good for America? Of course. The quicker we put these chickenhawks behind bars the better. What, did you think we were going to let the GOP molest kids and start wars forever?
That the Democrats won't behave like Republicans did in the 90's, when they essentially crippled the Clinton administration with pointless investigations and fishing expeditions. Of course, the big difference is that Bush and Cheney have lied us into a war which has cost over 250 Billion dollars and 2700 American lives, not to mention hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives. It kind of makes Clinton's "crime" seem a little petty now, doesn't it?
...now that there are real crimes to investigate ... we are supposed to be 'noble' ... and why? Because the Republicans crucified Clinton for something inane?? I mean, again, the double standard makes me nauseous. Tough luck Bush. If (fingers crossed) the Dems win back a majority... we will hear an ENDLESS stream of whining and complaining about how unfair it all is... Boo-hoo. Mostly from FOX...trickle to MSNBC, CNN, etc...
As far as I'm concerned this admin was crippled from day-1...by the incompetence and greed of its members.
Does anyone remember people asking Republicans for assurances not to investigate Clinton or make life difficult in 1994? Anyone?
I will be greatly disappointed if Democrats do NOT immediately start investigations into at least 4 major events that happened during the Bush Administration.
1. Supposed Bush Administration/GOP political pressure and the effect of that pressure on Intelligence analysis (the investigation currently being stone-walled by Pat Roberts R-KS).
2. Abu Ghraib. What role did Geofrey Miller play in it and was there a cover-up by the military about it? What was the role of the Bush Administration in the activity? What did Donald Rumsfeld know and when did he know it?
3. Prisoner Torture/Abuse in US controlled prisons or through extreme rendition. Has the Bush Administration used torture/abuse on prisoners (outside of Abu Ghraib) in our custody or at our directive in defiance of our treaty obligations, Constitution and/or applicable laws?
4. Investigation into NSA warrantless wiretapping. Why won't the administration abide by FISA?
I am sure I am missing some other major investigative subjects, but let's get the facts straight on all of this information for a change. The Republicans have successfully blocked any substantive inquiries into all of these issues. It is time to determine the facts and if necessary, hold these people accountable for their actions.
If you want guarantees, you need to buy a refridgerator. I only trust the Dems marginally more than the GOP. I get your point and its a good one. I think though that its a safe bet that Dems out of a sense of self preservation wont overplay their hand. There is plenty of REAL abuse to investigate in this administation they dont really have to stretch the way the GOP did with Clinton
... it seems the so-called lines have been blurred in regard to what is or what is not a 'real' abuse. Is it any surprise that most people only really got hot under the collar when Foley was found to have solicited sexual favors from minors? It's twisted, the priorities by the general pop.
How is it that Neo CONS want so desperately to believe in this imbicile Bush. Oooh, poor Dubya - hope he doesn't become a "victim"... you want a victim - look in the mirror! If he doesn't get jailed, or a least impeached in this next term - we're in trouble. Hell, I wasn't a fan of Clinton, didn't vote for him either - but this is absolutely INSANE! Nora, I hope we don't spoil your little tea party.
I know the Keith O. can't bite the hand that feed him, but this is definitely "Worst Person" territory.
P
I'm not sure this is bad enough to be WPITW level, but the fact that it's MSNBC might not stop him. I think Imus has appeared on the list a few times, or maybe his co-hosts/guests.
Are in the middle of an Executive Branch power grab, as well as a brazen attempt to establish a one-party political system. If you think that's fine and dandy, you probably don't think impeaching Bush would be "good for America".
Norah - just read directly from the Fax's you get from the RNC - you seem smarter then.
Bush has been setting fires for the last six years. You think he shouldn't be feeling a little heat by now?
I thought I was the only one who kept noticing her "Right" slant on things. I'm sure she picked up from "Sell out" Chris Matthews. I'm beginning to wonder if he and McCain aren't secretly married. Once again, here's Matthews and McCain on a college tour show and wow, they are in Iowa, a caucus state. Sure nothing planned about that. If you want the truth stick with, Stewart, Colbert and Olbermann.
of it without the democrats help.
Bush is probably more deserving of impeachment than any President who's been impeached so far -- but bear in mind that impeaching Bush would make Cheney our President. But .. can we impeach them simultaneously?
Cheney would probably resign. He could never roll out the folksy image that appeals to the Bushophiles.
If they won't allow it now, the Dem leadership won't do it later. They could have made it the keystone of their platform, but it's still "kill arabs for the Israel lobby and don't complain" in DC as usual, so don't expect any miracles to come out of the DNC.
How can she get away with asking a question like that?
Her questions should be:
"Do you think Bush has committed crimes that warrent impeachment?"
"If so, do you plan on going forward with impeachment proceedings?"
The question she asked painted the candidate in a disruptive and mean-spirited light before she had a chance to answer it. Its time to take back the media.
that this partisan shill is continually on this site. she might as well be paid by the white house. she quotes karl rove telling the washington times that "you have 90 percent of the house democrats voting against the terrorist surveillance program." uh, no, they want surveillance of terrorists, always have, as oppposed to the republicans in the 90's. they just want a warrant, which can be obtained up to three days afterward. and the democrats are supposed to promise not to issue subpeonas? in the middle of a war where there has been massive corruption and malfeasance while the administration looks the other way? the democrats held war profiteering hearings during world war 2. sorry, ms. o'donnell, this isn't monopoly. no free get out of jail cards. try and make yourself look just a little less partisan.
Rove likes Noron as much as Bill liked Monica.
and this woman has to believe them as Gospel. Who is this woman? Does she really appear on TV? Can she do anything but read? Does she know the devil Rove? My God, give Bush a pass...he got one in Alabama while others died. He doesn't get a second chance. People are dying and we just say "That's ok George, you made a mistake"---BULL. This president has been allowed to make fatal error after fatal error but has not paid the price. I want my vote for my congressman and my new Senator to be used as a way to punish this MOB. They can now afford the lawyers. Let 'em burn in hell or live hell on earth for what they have knowingly done. Here is my guarantee....I will write my representatives everyday asking them to bring these criminals to justice. As far as Cheney taking over...he did from Day One..unless you believe that a VILLAGE IDIOT is calling the shots.
That is what I think.
of a few little old subpoenas?
REally now, these talking news heads know exactly who is payingthem, don't they?
And, as soon as the Dems are in charge, boy are they gonna be all over them.
Look at how Harry Reid is being crucified for a completely legitimate land deal while Hastert is given a free pass for pushing legislation thru that made him a million on some worthless land he bought.
Subpoenas can find out EXACTLY who has been wiretapped. Whether Bush himself ok'ed torture and what types. That alone can send a people to prison.
Forget about two years. We are going to squash that village idiot and his evil sidekick long before that. Bush will be out within a year! No mercy. No quarter. We won't even flinch as these scumbags are tarred and feathered. And you're next O'Donnell.
Promise that Bush hasnt broken the law? Lied to the American people? Can she promise that there has been no abuse that the Constitution DEMANDS be addressed by Congress? No she cant.
Great answer!
You know if the media did its job and informed the public instead of airing endless he said/she said reporting maybe it wouldnt be necessary to investigate the many falsehoods and crimes of the this presidency. Iraq had no WMDs, but NK did in Oct 02 (Bush knew this at the height of push on the American people and UN to use arms against Iraq). Bush just gained despotic powers with bill signing yesterday (any American citizen can now be shipped to Guatanamo), we have tortured hundreds if not thousands, Katrina pulled the curtains back on the endless stagecraft of this administration, billions is missing from Iraq and CPA was staffed with incompetent college replublicans.
The Republicans want someone from the Democratic party "on the record" promising "no investigations". This way, if the Dems (God willing) take control of the House, and another member the party calls for an investigation, GOP can call a press conference and accuse the Democratic party of "lying" because they were on record as promising no investigation. See how that works? Republican can then grab the moral high ground again, because Democrats "didn't keep their word".
It's all sick and twisted but .....thats your Republican party ladies and gentlemen.
But let's save Bush for last. Let's get rid of Rumsfeld for being a fool, and Cheney for being a warmonger. After all, if Bush were to get impeached, do you really think this country would survive a Cheney presidency?
This woman is such an abomination. She is the perfect illustration of the low level to which "journalism' has sunk. All spin, gotcha questions (to Democrats) and talking points and no substance, ever.
Hopefully we will soon look back at this time, and wonder how such propagandists could ever have held a seat on a 'news' show.
Hey Nora! Why not just spout your Talking Points on Faux News? Bill O! is waiting for you. And you and Sean Hannity would make a lovely couple! I'm so tired of you.
That GW Bush's life has NOT been a "living hell" since conception? With "JEB" the "favorite son", the one most likely, Bush turns to Frat Parties and disappears into a bottle for his first 40+ years.
The say the brave man dies but once, but the COWARD dies a thousand deaths. While brave men were dying in VietNam, in a war his Daddy helped perpetuate, Junior avoided harm's way, and even defaulted on his "training" by abandoning flight status, assuring he was worthless to the military.
I submit that Bush's life has EVER been a "living hell", due to his own shortcomings combined with expetations impossible for his modest "abilities", and due to being in the shadow of a rich and powerful father who never allowed Junior to be "a MAN", accomplishing anything at all on his own.
Now he is solely responsible for the deaths of THOUSANDS of Americans -- did NOTHING to try to prevent 9/11, LIED us into Iraq killing 3000 brave American soliders SO FAR, bungled Katrina response, where hundreds more died. And this doesn't even include the half-million innocent Iraqis and Afghans killed as a result of his actions. The only way responsibility for so many deaths could NOT be a "living hell" would be if the man had no conscience AT ALL
So, Norah, Dems cannot make Bush's life a "living hell" -- he has been there all his life. It was pre-ordained, and he has cooperated on his own recognizance. To be FINALLY held responsible, for ANYTHING, would be in the nature of a RELIEF.
Bush and Cheney deserve impeachment...probably jail terms as well. But, even if the Dems take back Congress and begin hearings immediately, the damage is already done. The Supreme Court is loaded down with troglodytes, Habeus Corpus is on its deathbed, the national debt is probably beyond reach and our armed forces are bogged down in the Middle East, where they will probably be for the next 10 years or longer. The money spent in Iraq is gone...pfffffft....down a rathole. We could have funded national healthcare for years with what is and will be spent in Iraq. Thanks, Georgie.
Also, keep an eye on the Iraqi oil situation. The major oil companies are poised to grab it all, and I believe that's what this little adventure was all about in the first place.
Yeah, Bush has made lots of money for lots of people...he'll have a nice cushy landing when he leaves office. Of course, before anything can be done to him, he'll pardon himself and all members of his administration...then they'll laugh all the way to their Cayman bank accounts. And next time the Republicans take control, they'll name an airport after him. Hide and watch.
By all means, let's spare the President any discomfort after he's killed our children in an unjust war, watched thousands suffer in Katrina, passed a law whereby he can now go "unchecked" by congress (not that he was checked before he signed the Miliary Commission Act) and involved in protecting corruption/scandal in his Administration -- oh yeah, let's make this dictator's life easy!
Get real Norah!!--asking the Dems to be good when this administration has lied & rewritten the constitution to their liking, is like asking a parent not to punish a kid for crossing the street without looking both ways, reaching in the cookie jar when they were told repeatedly not to and for not cleaning up their room when asked to.....somehow, it's fine for the neocons(the Dems are equally guilty) to dictate policy without question but when the boomerrang comes whipping back & the majority is regained by the Dems, we're suppose to stupidly & blindly overlook what has been done to warp & fragment our democracy....in the words of Homie the Clown....I DON'T THINK SO.
She sounds like Anakin Skywalker. Democracy is too inefficient for her.
If Democrats win the majority in November, they'll have a mandate to hold Bush accountable for his actions. To do otherwise would be to ignore the will of the people.
A couple of posters have mentioned the Bush & Cheney Executive Power Grab. I just thought I'd note for all interested parties who may not have realized it (Democrat, Republican, or otherwise), some Democratic Presidential hopefuls in 2008 might secretly hope the grab worked, or is working.
If more power resides in the hands of the Chief Executive, it won't matter if he/she is Democrat or Republican. Guaranteed that Republicans will have even more to gripe about than they bargained for if the Dems win in '08. In any case, the sensible thing to do is hobble that power before it gets too great.
Happy thoughts, no?
I've watched deride Dems and give Rethugs a pass at every turn. She should move to Faux News.
I've watched her deride Dems and give Rethugs a pass at every turn. She should move to Faux News.