What Karl Rove Fears Most

I don't know exactly when in 2004 this allegedly happened, but as I chronicled in my Mar. 16, 2007, column, The Politics of Distraction, we do know that in January 2005, Rove stopped by the White House counsel's office to float the idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys.

Addington Watch

Daniel W. Reilly writes in Politico that Conyers "has once again threatened to subpoena the top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney in an ongoing standoff over the legal justifications for harsh interrogation techniques.

"But unlike previous fights, the aide - Cheney Chief of Staff David Addington - has expressed a willingness to comply.

"Conyers announced Thursday that his committee will convene next week to vote on whether to issue a subpoena. But the chairman issued his threat after the committee received a letter from Cheney's counsel, Kathryn Wheelbarger, suggesting Addington would consider the request.

"The committee has asked Addington to appear at a hearing next Tuesday about the legal justifications for a series of controversial memos that laid the foundation for the administration's war against terror, including the detainment and treatment of suspected terrorists. . . .

"Wheelbarger sent the committee a letter Thursday arguing that Addington should not be required to testify before Congress about his duties as an aide to the vice president. However, in the letter, she acknowledges that Addington 'is prepared to accept timely service of a committee subpoena' for testimony at the May 6 hearing.

"'Since he hasn't been issued a subpoena, it would be a little premature to comment on whether he would comply,' said Cheney spokeswoman Megan Mitchell. But, in clarifying the intent of that letter, Mitchell said that if a subpoena is issued, Addington would 'review it and respond accordingly.'"

Paul Kiel writes for TPMMuckraker: "Can it really be true? Will the high priest of executive privilege actually submit to a Congressional subpoena?"

Why Was Doan Fired?

Dan Friedman writes for Congress Daily: "General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan was fired Tuesday almost a year after her actions drew heavy criticism from Capitol Hill Democrats, but her ouster was triggered by more recent friction with the White House, officials briefed on the matter said.

"According to House Oversight and Government Reform ranking member Tom Davis, the headstrong administrator angered White House officials by refusing to abide by their wishes on several matters, including her recent rejection of suggested political appointees to fill senior-level vacancies at GSA.

"'That seems to be the straw that broke that camel's back,' said Davis, citing a conversation with White House officials regarding Doan's ouster.

"'At the end of the day it was that kind of thing,' added Davis, who has been a staunch backer of Doan and who criticized her removal.