White House political operative Scott Jennings "between a rock and a hard place'' at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
by Mark Silva
Smile and say no.
These appeared to be the marching orders today for J. Scott Jennings, deputy director of political affairs for the White House, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee with a ready smile and unabashed friendly demeanor yet an unrelenting refusal to violate White House orders against testifying about what had been said inside or outside the White House about the firing of several federal prosecutors.
Yet, with the help of his similarly friendly lawyer, Jennings freely “navigated’’ between questions which he could not answer about the matter and questions which he was willing to address about other work for the White House -- including his own political activities.
Catch 22.
That, suggested Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, appeared to be part of the young political operative’s “training manual.’’
“Did you ever read Catch 22 when you were younger?’’ Leahy asked Jennings.
“I have heard the phrase,’’ Jennings said, but he hadn’t read the book.
“You ought to go back and read it,’’ Leahy said. “It’s very interesting. It seems to be part of your training manual.’’
Jennings' boss, however, the White House's Karl Rove, was a no-show.
White House chief political adviser Karl Rove failed to appear before the committee today, but that did not stop protestors in the hearing room from making their own statement about Rove. Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
Jennings readily allowed that he found himself “between a rock and a hard place,’’ caught between his own desire to comply as fully as he can with the committee’s investigation but obliged to follow the president’s assertion of executive privilege.
“Accordingly, at the young age of 29, Mr. Jennings finds himself in the unenviable position of being caught in the cross fire between two branches of government,’’ his lawyer, Mark Paoletta, wrote to Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), ranking Republican member of the committee. (See the letter: Download file)
Jennings, right, consulting with lawer Mark Paoletta. Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
Often, this morning, Jennings found himself politely saying this: “Senator, pursuant to the president’s assertion of executive privilege, I must respectfully decline to answer your questions.’’
Yet often, he was willing to answer questions about other matters, such as a political meeting he held for employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The committee has refrained today from taking any action on Jennings’ stance before the committee, in response to a subpoena to testify, or on the refusal of White House chief political adviser Karl Rove to appear before the committee, which had subpoenaed him as well. The House Judiciary Committee has cited other officials for contempt of Congress in refusing to appear there.
Specter gently asked Jennings if he is worried about what people, including his parents, might think about all this – might some view a criminal contempt charge as a sign he’s done something wrong?
“That’s a fair assessment,’’ Jennings said. “Yes sir.’’
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.,) noting what a high position in politics Jennings has ascended to at a relatively young age, wondered aloud why Rove would toss a young aide like him out to the committee while refusing to make his own appearance.
“You should not be in the position you’re in today, between a rock and a hard place,’’ Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said, complaining that Democrats had forced this unnecessary confrontation.
“I think we all have to understand that the president has certain rights,’’ Hatch said.
“The American people deserve to have him tell the truth and the whole truth,’’ Leahy said.
But Jennings would only go so far in his answers to questions, sticking to matters which he and his attorney believed did not conflict with the White House edict against testimony in the attorney probe.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) asked him about political briefings he had conducted at USAID.
Jennings called the session he had conducted “a morale boosting tool… and informative for them,’’ and said he had no reason to believe, as Kennedy was suggesting, that this violated the Hatch Act stricture against conducting political business on government time. “It’s my understanding that this kind of briefing had occurred for several years through many administrations and did not violate the Hatch Act.’’
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) grew visibly irritated with Jennings’ unwillingness to discuss a White House memo which he was holding. The White House had served up the memo in many documents requested, but cannot talk about it? Schumer said: “We are getting to be in Never-Never Land here.’’
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Comments
I think this is a battle the American people are going to lose. Our tax money pays for all the elected representatives, civil service and appointed officials. They should all be accountable and subjected to the same standard of openness and scrutiny of their actions for, and on behalf of the governance of this country. I think that if anything needs to be reformed its the funding of positions which are strictly political in nature, such as Karl Rove's and his deputies.
Posted by: GW | August 2, 2007 12:36 PM
Poor little Scott. As Hatch said: “You should not be in the position you’re in today, between a rock and a hard place.’’
Because ROVE SHOULD BE THERE!
Jennings gets the heat, while Rove goes on vacation. Nice.
Posted by: athena | August 2, 2007 12:41 PM
These weenie little Republicans represent probably the most corrupt administration in US history.
I'd like one these GOP wonks to answer the question of why Pat Tillman's death is a secret under "executive privilege"?
Posted by: John E | August 2, 2007 12:50 PM
Other people go to hearings, the powerful go on vacation.
Other people go to Vietnam, other people get passes on no call, no show to the Alabama Air National Guard.
Other people go to Iraq, other rich people get tax cuts.
Other people man their posts in Iraq, other people take the month of August off.
As Vonnegut said, "So it goes."
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 2, 2007 1:00 PM
"SCOTT JENNINGS"
HE'S OUR MAN, FIGHTING FOR OUR NATION"
"BRING ME BACK HE WAS SCREAMING INSIDE" "I WANT TO TELL THE TRUTH I DO, I SWEAR I DO"
"JUST TAKE AWAY MY EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE LETTER AND I WILL DROP THE OLIVER NORTH ATTITUDE AND UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION THAT I SWORE ON A BIBLE. I WILL BE HONEST TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I WILL BE HONEST TO MY FAMILY, I WILL BE HONEST TO GOD."
BUT NOT TODAY. HAAAHHAAAAHHHAAAAHHHA SEE YAAAA AT REGENTS HEEE HHAAA HEEE HAAA HEE HAAA
"NO TRUTHS FOR YOU!"
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 2, 2007 1:22 PM
I'd like one these GOP wonks to answer the question of why Pat Tillman's death is a secret under "executive privilege"?
Posted by: John E | August 2, 2007 12:50 PM
I'd like one of them who rails daily about activist judges, to show us all where in the US Constitution are the words Executive Priveledge. Stict Constructionist my arse!
Posted by: jethro | August 2, 2007 1:27 PM
"Jethro", nobody will take you leftnuts seriously until you learn how to spell. "Stict"? "priveledge"?
People who can't spell at a 4th grade level shouldn't attempt to lecture on the constitution.
Posted by: Bruce | August 2, 2007 1:42 PM
Why does Bush even allow ANYONE to appear before Congress?
According to him (and President Cheney) everything is executive privilege these days.
Notice how none of this came up when the Republicans were "investigating" issues.
Posted by: dogjudge | August 2, 2007 1:45 PM
Sweat that piggy boy...
Alternate Caption;
'I hope I win the 'Rush Limbaugh' look a like contest!'
Posted by: C.Morris | August 2, 2007 1:56 PM
Jethro,
If we were having a spelling contest "Bill-O Bruce" would be the champion, but we're not.....and he's loses again.
Posted by: John E | August 2, 2007 2:05 PM
Scott is my brother and believe me, he would tell them in a heart beat but he cannot say anything. I feel bad for him that he had to go through with this hearing.
Posted by: Tad | August 2, 2007 2:11 PM
What are they hiding.Must be good enough to get them all impeached.
Brucie is a good speller.
Posted by: Raving Loon | August 2, 2007 2:47 PM
This whole process is a catch 22! Scott may as well lie down and become a see saw...up and down...tell us everything even though you can say nothing...
What the heck are you supposed to do in that situation? The Pres says dont talk, yet you are being sternly questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee...I wouldnt want to be in his shoes!
Just think how excited he was when he took the job as deputy director of political affairs for the White House. Think he's happy now?
Posted by: Mugsy | August 2, 2007 3:15 PM
Oh my point can't be taken because I made spelling errors. Forgive me Bruce Almighty. Avoid isues, throw out red herrings, and blame Clinton.
Posted by: jethro | August 2, 2007 3:39 PM
Could I get a copy of today's talking points sent to me?
brucew773@yahoo.com
Posted by: Bruce | August 2, 2007 3:42 PM
Deranged Johnny E., just as there was no apostrophe in "agree's," there should be no apostrophe in your statement here with he's loses:
Jethro,
If we were having a spelling contest "Bill-O Bruce" would be the champion, but we're not.....and he's loses again.
Posted by: John E | August 2, 2007 2:05 PM
Posted by: John D | August 2, 2007 5:08 PM
Leahy was kicked off a committee because he couldn't keep his mouth shut. The fatalities were few fortunately.
Posted by: whatnow | August 2, 2007 5:38 PM
Leahy (D-VT) was kicked off a committee panel because he couldn't keep his stupid mouth shut. Thankfully there were only a few fatalities.
Posted by: whatnow | August 2, 2007 5:42 PM
Posters from the left get it--Executive Privilege--Fred Fielding the White House Counsel rightfully asserts privilege for Presidents so that close aides don't testify about privileged conversations with the President to undermine his right to hear all opinions before making presidential decisions--this way he gets candid answers if Leahy and Conyers forces this long tradition as Senator Orrin Hatch says it will take years in the courts--why don't Dems just take the information with the constraints that the White House aides aren't going to testify under oath if the Jackasses keep this stupid idea no one will run for President. Tony Snow has pointed out 500 hearings have been held by Dems with nothing to do--they don't pass laws they just play gotcha games with partisan intent. Leahy,Reid, Pelosi, Durbin and Conyers are hell bent on putting GOP people in jail not in governing. The American people are finding out the mistake made in electing these self servers in 06. Believe you me they won't be re-elected in 08 because they are unreasonable in fact finding. Snow says so many files have been turned over they would stretch end to end over the White House. Know why? Because I'm not sure these people can read they are too busy pointing fingers and doing dog and pony shows--give me a break. They know they don't want to know it's called partisan gamesmanship. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | August 2, 2007 6:11 PM
Dear JERRY Dear John:
Its never partisan gamesmanship because that equates to "THEFT BY DECEPTION" BUT THE SPEECH WAS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN"
IT KIND OF REMINDS OF THE SPEECH GEORGE BUSH READ ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 11TH. I WONDER WHAT PARTISAN GAMESMANSHIP CAME FROM THAT? A DUMBER AMERICA OR JUST A GOOD READING OF THE BOOK "SEE AMERICA RUN SPOT, SEE AMERICA RUN."
I THINK ITS BECAUSE A WOMAN MAY BE YOUR NEXT PRESIDENT BEFORE THE ELECTIONS EVEN BEGIN IN O8. AH! ITS OKAY YOU NO SUFFER, DON'T WORRY, YOU NO SUFFER WE LOVE YOU LONG TIME TOO. IS THAT WHAT YOU MEANT ABOVE.
LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 2, 2007 7:07 PM
TAD:
I TAKE IT YOU HAVE THE NEXT PELICAN BRIEF IN YOUR COMPUTER. IF YOUR BROTHER WAS SUCH A GOOD PERSON THEN HE WOULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING. NOW YOU MAY END UP SENDING HIM COOKIES IN PRISON. TIME WILL TELL, CAN YOU?
HAS THIS PRESIDENT PUT HIS CLOAK AND DAGGER PAPER 'AKA' EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE AGAINST THE FAMILIES.
HE APPEARED TO BE A STUFFED PIG SWEATING THE MUD OFF OF HIS FACE. SOMEONE WHO JUST WANTS TO RELEASE SOME STUFF.
I SAY RELEASE IT. BE THE MAN HIS MAMA HAD NOT THE ESCAPE GOAT HIS NEW FOUND DADDY WANTS HIM TO BE. A LOT OF MEN HAVE. SO CAN HE.
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 2, 2007 7:15 PM