How Will Iraq War End?

The American public has indicated in polls that it is fed up with George Bush, but even more fed up with Congress. How to interpret that statistic? Patrick Leahy thinks he knows what the public wants: a showdown between Congress and the President.

Patrick Leahy ready to fight White House
By HOPE YEN Associated Press Writer
07/01/2007

WASHINGTON—The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said Sunday he was ready to go to court if the White House resisted congressional subpoenas for information on the firing of federal prosecutors.

"If they don't cooperate, yes I'd go that far," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. He was asked in a broadcast interview whether he would seek a congressional vote on contempt citations if President Bush did not comply. That move would push the matter to court.

"They've chosen confrontation rather than compromise or cooperation," Leahy said. "The bottom line on this U.S. attorneys' investigation is that we have people manipulating law enforcement. Law enforcement can't be partisan."

At issue is whether the White House exerted undue political influence in the Justice Department's firing of prosecutors. Leahy's hardening stance is pushing the Democratic-led investigation ever closer to a constitutional showdown over executive power and Congress' right to oversight...