Bush is a Victim of His Own Lies

03/22/2007

Paul Munnis


As we face this showdown over testimony from White House aides under oath to Congress Mr. Bush has held out what he considers to be an olive branch but few Americans can see it his way. His offer is to let his aides testify but without taking an oath of honesty.

Mr. Bush’s problems stem from both his own record and that of this Administration.

The Bush people have a five year record of lying to the American people and so the offer is seen as disingenuous.

Mr. Bush and his spokesmen claim that all truth, knowledge, and light, would come out as a result of his offer but there is reasonable skepticism on behalf of Congress and of the American people. The people involved, one a GOP strategist and the other a cabinet member are on the carpet along with the AG’s Chief of Staff and a White House lawyer.

Mr. Gonzales has a Congressional appointment that can be revoked while Mr. Rove and the others are not in that position. In the case of Mr. Gonzales there is no issue – if subpoenaed then he must appear before Congress. It is Rove and others that are at issue for they are hired hands and they work for Mr. Bush.

As we opined in an earlier editorial – it is time that we go to the mat and get this issue of governing fully resolved. It is a clean issue dealing with the equal branches of government and it is not confused by any claims concerning war-time presidential power. This is a clear-cut domestic issue where Mr. Bush is setting his equal branch of government up as being more equal than Congress. We will soon see if he is right.

The Red Press is trying to create a diversion by painting Democrats as confused, not all together on the same page over Iraq, etc. The image they try to create by inference is that the same is true over dealing with this issue of testimony under oath. Of course the two are separate issues and we should not be afraid to address the latter point at all. In the meantime let's obsere that both the GOP and Democrats are wanting to see the Bush Aides testify before Congress in order to clear up the Gonzales issues.

As for the funding of the Iraq War they do have a point for Democrats are not required to be silent about their views lest they be kicked out their Party for not being Democrats enough as has been the case in the GOP. Yet, we notice that both Parties are splitting from that tactic of lock-step Party control as each tries to represent their divided Districts. We give credit to Nancy Pelosi for allowng tha to return to governing. That freedm is bound to allow for different views and we welcome the diversity. But it has nothing to do with the Seperation of Powers issue.

We are glad to see Democrats back in control because the fresh air of discussion, dissension, and negotiation have replaced the method of “my way or the highway,” embodied by the past twelve years of GOP Party rule. This diversion attempts to mask the conflict over Mr. Gonzales and his troop of aides and their role in outing U.S. Attorneys for alleged political reasons. The Red Press is making an attempt to confuse the public. Yet we can see that both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are largely on the same page over this Separation of Powers issue and want to see it resolved in the Court. It is crucial that it be adjudicated.

For my part I see this as healthy and as being a Congress that is working again. The American ‘Ship of State’ is righting itself. To reach a consensus and to pass meaningful legislation then every political art-form known will have to be employed. In due time there will be a resolution on the Iraq War and the needed legislation will pass and meaningful action will be taken on Iraq. It took us five years to get to this point and so five months more is an acceptable time-frame to resolve the Iraq War issue. Democracy isn’t pretty but it works.

In the meantime Mr. Bush has the time that he needs to prove his surge strategy is effective. He needs to use that time effectively.

Thus we are seeing the debates shifting away from the Party polarization portrayed by the Red Press and more towards substantive discussion, negotiation, and the crossing of Party lines. As for those early Presidential candidates they have staked out their position on Iraq and they have been duly typed and are on record. They are now exposed to the negotiations of Congress. That leaves them vulnerable and not willing to allow for any resolution except for what they have endorsed and that adds volatility to the discussions. We expect that will be discounted and that Congressional people will do what they think is correct and thus the candidates will rise or fall accordingly.

So let’s just relax – government is working again. Thank God! Let’s be optimistic over the Court showing real wisdom on Separation matters. Let’s realize that an Iraqi War outcome is being hammered out. Let’s also realize that our Government is back that the checks and balances are being restored and that healthy change is in the air as the first day of spring passes with fresh air blowing into our Capitol. As for the election in 2008 - that will sort itself out.