Posted by Andrew Zajac at 1:00 p.m. CDT
The much-awaited House Judiciary Commitee testimony of former Justice Department aide Monica Goodling opened with a bang this morning when she accused Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty with falsely alleging that she provided him with incomplete and inaccurate information as he tried to fend off congressional inquiries about the firings of 9 U.S. attorneys in 2006.
"I did not withhold information from the Deputy prior to his testimony," Goodling said in her opening statement.
Monica Goodling testifies. Tribune staff photo by Pete Souza.
Goodling also admitted taking politics into account when making hiring decisions for civil service positions like assistant U.S. attorneys -- the line prosecutors in the federal court system. That could be the law-breaking that led Goodling to seek immunity in exchange for her testimony, though Goodling stopped short of admitting breaking the law and insists that she did not intend to do so.
But by morning's end, House Democrats were no closer to nailing down the White House role in the firings, or for finding out who recommended the names that were put on the dismissal list.
Goodling downplayed the power of her role and said she was mainly involved in making sure that the decisions of former Chief of Staff D. Kyle Sampson and other higher-ups were carried out.
Republicans, meanwhile, are portraying Goodling as a victim of the criminalization of politics.
A celebrity on the Hill: Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-Tenn.) snaps a picture with his cell phone of Goodling's testimony. Tribue staff photo by Pete Souza.
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Comments
What's going on with the Swamp today? All the stories since the Swamp Gas are about republicans.
What's Bruce going to count?
Posted by: kg123 | May 23, 2007 1:19 PM
It is interesting to note how the gop is praising this woman after she has plainly stated that she broke the law.
Posted by: joe | May 23, 2007 3:23 PM
Poor girl! SHE'S the victim here! Not the prosecutors who were fired because they wouldn't file bogus election fraud charges! Not the candidates for jobs who didn't pass her loyalty test! Not the voters whose franchise was removed by "caging."
Are ALL republicans such criminals? Or only the ones in this administration?
Posted by: athena | May 23, 2007 3:49 PM
Athena - No, all republicans aren't criminals. I know many great and good people who are republicans. However, the Bush administration is not really all that republican. Think about it, what are republican's supposed to believe in? Smaller government? The government out of your bedroom? The US is not the world's policeman? Fiscal conservatism?
This crop of rascals are NOT republicans. They are liars, crooks and profiteers. The regular guy out on the street who just happens to be a republican is not responsible. They got snookered by Bush and his crew. Think back to 2000 and the promises Bush made about how he would govern. Uniter not a divider... Compassionate conservative...
The sad thing is that 28% of the people still support this buffoon. They were tricked, obviously, but they can't bring themselves to admit it. The build up of cognitive dissonance must be maddening to them.
Don't hate them, pity them. They are, after all, pathetic.
Posted by: nisleib | May 23, 2007 4:04 PM
Republicans, meanwhile, are portraying Goodling as a victim of the criminalization of politics.
Is that because she broke the law?
Posted by: bill r. | May 23, 2007 4:12 PM
Republicans, meanwhile, are portraying Goodling as a victim of the criminalization of politics.
So wait a minute, she as much admitted she used politics as a basis for hiring civil servants & if that is true she has broken the law & committed a crime but we are supposed to see her as the real victim here?
Posted by: jj | May 23, 2007 5:14 PM
Alternate Headline Constest;
'Oops! I have to lose the worry wrinkles!!'
Posted by: C.Morris | May 23, 2007 5:37 PM
"At Bible Tech they said I only had to answer to god".
Posted by: dt | May 23, 2007 5:54 PM
She admitted that she broke federal laws. She openly admits that she made hiring decisions based on political ideology. Rove and Gonzo. One a criminal, the other an inept stooge. These are the people the Bush administration has graced America with as public servants. Need I say it again...THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | May 23, 2007 6:44 PM
"Don't hate them, pity them. They are, after all, pathetic.
Posted by: nisleib | May 23, 2007 4:04:50 PM"
Well, nisleib, the man in the street Republican may not be criminal, but all the Republic politicians out in my neck of the woods are as crooked as a grasshopper's rear leg.
Posted by: C.Morris | May 23, 2007 8:24 PM
All Republicans And All Democrats Are Crooks And
Totally Corrupt So Ban The GOP And Donkey Party
From Politics Forever!
Posted by: Sandy | May 24, 2007 3:59 AM