Senator Leahy, Running Out the Clock

August 20, 2007

Senator Upset With the Response to Subpoena

By DAVID STOUT

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 — The White House did not fully comply today with a subpoena seeking material on the Bush administration’s eavesdropping program, and a leading Democratic senator reacted with anger, if not surprise.

“The time is up,” Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said after the 2:30 p.m. deadline passed. “The time is up. We’ve waited long enough.”

Mr. Leahy said he would bring up the administration’s stance before the full Senate when it reconvenes after Labor Day. He hinted at the possibility of seeking a contempt of Congress citation but emphasized, “I prefer cooperation to contempt.”

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What are we doing here, Senator? Running out the clock? You knew that subpoena was going to be ignored, as have all your previous subpoenas.

The time is indeed up, for this, for Harriet Miers, Karl Rove, the foolishness surrounding your absolutely toothless questioning of Alberto Gonzales.

The Judiciary Committee has become a national joke and the only ones who don't seem to get it are the committee members.

Personally, you've expressed your preference for cooperation once too often--perhaps twice. You Senators have a very narrow window of opportunity to carry public opinion and running out the clock has never been the choice of a confident offense.