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Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Mon Feb 06, 2006 at 09:29:05 PM EST
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The Conservative publication Insight on the News reoprts that Karl Rove has threatened to blacklist Judiciary Committee Senators if they oppose Bush on the NSA warrantless surveillance issue:

The White House has been twisting arms to ensure that no Republican member votes against President Bush in the Senate Judiciary Committee's investigation of the administration's unauthorized wiretapping. Congressional sources said Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove has threatened to blacklist any Republican who votes against the president. The sources said the blacklist would mean a halt in any White House political or financial support of senators running for re-election in November. "It's hardball all the way," a senior GOP congressional aide said.

More from the article's sources:

They said the defection of even a handful of Republican committee members could result in a determination that the president violated the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Such a determination could lead to impeachment proceedings.

Over the last few weeks, Mr. Rove has been calling in virtually every Republican on the Senate committee as well as the leadership in Congress. The sources said Mr. Rove's message has been that a vote against Mr. Bush would destroy GOP prospects in congressional elections. "He's [Rove] lining them up one by one," another congressional source said.

Rove reportedly also is offering incentives to those who remain loyal to his President:

The sources said the White House has offered to help loyalists with money and free publicity, such as appearances and photo-ops with the president.

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    Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist | 62 comments (62 topical)
    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#1)
    by Linkmeister on Mon Feb 06, 2006 at 10:01:22 PM EST
    One hopes Roll Call, WaPo and the NYT all get copies of the article. They might even investigate its veracity. That would be a welcome change.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 06, 2006 at 10:39:17 PM EST
    Hardball? Hardball!? Doesn't "a senior GOP congressional aide" mean that Rove is talking about extortion for men of conscience offset by bribery for those without? Just wondering. tlk

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#3)
    by profmarcus on Mon Feb 06, 2006 at 10:48:45 PM EST
    how totally typical of the dark lord, the one-who-must-not-be-named, satan's doppelganger, karl... Visit my blog: And, yes, I DO take it personally

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 06, 2006 at 10:56:57 PM EST
    We complain a lot about the some elected Democrats not standing up when they should, but compared to pretty much every Republican in the legislative branch, the Dems are like walking Viagra ads.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#5)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 12:09:26 AM EST
    This comes about the same time that DoJ tells a Senate Intelligence Committee that Bush can order killings inside the country of AQ suspects? "Now we're not trying to intimidate anyone here, of course, you well know that the president takes the position that 'You're either with us or you're against us'. Let me be very clear: play ball with us or we'll have to reconsider support for your reelection campaign, and if you still don't get in line, well... we have other options. Do we need to have someone 'more persuasive' drop by for a visit?"

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 03:57:11 AM EST
    Bush is unpopular enough that 1) it would probably help their campaigns to lose Bush's support and 2) they could come public with this and and their outrage and probably even score more points for themselves. I'm not in the habit of giving advice to any Republicans, but come on, stick up for yourselves. This is a president with a 39% approval rating. Americans will only put up with so much from a president who's already so low in the polls.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#7)
    by ltgesq on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 04:37:43 AM EST
    Why hasn't that jerk been charged yet? It would be the perfect time for him to go.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#8)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 04:54:20 AM EST
    January 24, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - US Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito won a Senate Judiciary Committee vote today by a margin of 10 to 8, divided strictly along party lines. The vote sends Alito's nomination to the Senate floor where, with a Republican majority, a final confirmation is seen as likely... And we know how that ended... So how do you feel guys? Proud? You approve this murdering little sh*t giving Alito a lifetime seat, for fu*k's sake, and what do you get in return? Blacklisted! By a slime dripping gollum who lives under a rotting log in a swamp somewhere. By the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Karl Friggin' Rove, got you by the family jewels with his vise grips and you're still forcing out that Sieg Heil from between your clenched tooth grimaces. Jeezus... Go ahead, tell us you never saw it coming... Christ, you must be just blown away at "dear leader's" wonderful expression of gratitude to you. Bet you can barely contain yourselves. Way to go guys... see you in November. And next year you can tell all your drinking buddies down at the corner that till 2006 you were once at the top of your game, you made the pinnacle, but your were so busy congratulating youselves that you never saw that cliff you stepped off. You were United States F***ing Senators, for gawds sake, and maybe they'll be sympathetic and cover the next round for you? Hey... everybody has to have a dream, right? Excuse me while I puke... and don't let the door hit you in the a** on the way out.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#9)
    by demohypocrates on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:05:33 AM EST
    Like it or not, these actions are what's known as p-o-l-i-t-i-c-s and are fairly commonplace in Washington. Trotting out tired, old McCarthy era terms to describe it does not change that fact.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#10)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:11:54 AM EST
    Like it or not, these actions are what's known as Bush League p-o-l-i-t-i-c-s and are fairly commonplace in Washington since 2001. Sieg Heil.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:41:53 AM EST
    But Bush is such a great communicator, he'll pull his numbers up, you just wait and see! Oh, sorry, I was channeling PPJ there for a minute.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#12)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:47:42 AM EST
    Hmmmm. I think the fact that the program is supported by a large majority of the American people will have a bit to say in this... edger - Congratulations! You have hit the bullseye on Goodwin's Law! And only after what, 9 comments!

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#13)
    by Darryl Pearce on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 06:12:22 AM EST
    I guess Ralphie was right: You're either a bully, a toady, or one of the hapless rabble of victims.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#14)
    by Sailor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 06:32:09 AM EST
    Now ya see here folks, this is just a prime example of trolling. ppj's deliberate misuse of 'goodwin' no matter how many times the actual fact of Godwin's law has been pointed out, linked to, including a link to Mike Godwin himself, he insists on deliberately getting the facts wrong. If he does so on such a well founded fact, just imagine the lengths he'll go to to distort important things. Prime example:Wall St Urinal Poll
    ...shows Bush's approval rating at 39 percent [...] On the politically charged subject of domestic wiretapping, 51 percent approve of the administration's use of these wiretaps -- without a court order -- to monitor the conversations between al-Qaida suspects and those living in the United States, compared with 46 percent who disapprove. However, 56 percent say they're concerned that such wiretaps could be misused and could violate a person's privacy.
    So no matter how vicious karl rove is, he fails to take into account that bush not showing up to campaign is probably a blessing for those candidates.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 06:37:09 AM EST
    JimakaPPJ Hmmmm. I think the fact that the program is supported by a large majority of the American people will have a bit to say in this... Why do you even bother repeating lies like this? A large majority of the American people do not support the idea that the President can tap their phone calls without a warrant...

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#16)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 06:56:08 AM EST
    Jesurgislac writes:
    Why do you even bother repeating lies like this? A large majority of the American people do not support the idea that the President can tap their phone calls without a warrant...
    And why do you keep making a false claim? The issue is warrantless surveillance of calls from/to terrorits in international locations from/to people in the US. sailor - I have linked to Goodwin's Law several times. Now, if you disagree with my source, fine. But your disagreement doesn't make it wrong. And the link edger used, "sieg heil," calls Bush a Nazi in unmistakable terms. And note how you attack me, which is a clever way of getting off topic, and blaming me. Good grief.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#17)
    by Lora on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 06:57:33 AM EST
    Okay, this is a perfect example of what I've been talking about, only now applying to the Republicans. This is not just political hardball, this is white phosphorus. Rove, a.k.a. the Repressive Right Smear Machine, is armed and ready to not only take out any Dem who dares to stand up for him/herself, he is ready to take out any Repub who doesn't follow the party line. And you can bet he won't just withdrsw support. He will smear utterly, politically and personally, that individual and his/her family if possible. He will take no prisoners. We have seen it happen. He has a lock on the Mouthpiece Media that will do his dirty work for him. Our (actually) elected officials of both parties are afraid, and with good reason. We have to expose Rove and support those who wish to act according to their conscience, and we have to provide cover for them so their political careers and personal lives will not be utterly damaged if they do so.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 08:06:28 AM EST
    If this is true than wouldn't it be fair to say Rove is now willing to work for a Democratic Majority in the Senate and House if he doesn't get his way? In other words. He's will gladly to cut off his own Penis to spite his face. Oh well, no big deal.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 08:11:59 AM EST
    Looks like we now know Rover was the one wielding the Hammer in the house. Don't we.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#23)
    by oldtree on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 08:47:45 AM EST
    extortion? sure, no doubt at all. giving them an option to be destroyed by his orders, or by their constituents finding out their man is bought and paid for. except for the elections being rigged, should be a lot of fun. Maybe there will be such a high percentage of voters that they can't even try to make up the results like last time,s. love watching you babies that don't understand truth, except as you create it. Always fun to see low life dig deeper. You can't stand reality, so you create it to fit. must be fun trying to understand how life keeps whacking you in the pie hole

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#22)
    by Sailor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 09:56:00 AM EST
    jim, it doesn't matter how many times you link to a lie, it is still al lie. [deleted] Once again, you repeated a lie in your response to Jesurgislac saying you are wrong about "I think the fact that the program is supported by a large majority of the American people" You replied: "And why do you keep making a false claim?" But polls have been shown, (from conservative sources I might add) that only 51% agree with you in the most limited question. 51% is not a 'large majority', therefore you have just deliberately lied again. [deleted]

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 09:57:40 AM EST
    Thank God, it's about time they started playing hardball. The first headline grabbing loser that ought to go is good ole Senator Spector. I can't wait for the day they shelf this turn coat.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#18)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:04:37 AM EST
    And the link edger used, "sieg heil," calls Bush a Nazi in unmistakable terms. Glad to see that occassionally your reading and comprehension skills can handle processing 2 words: Sieg Heil, and actually get it right, and understand the writer's meaning. Very, very good! Maybe we're seeing some sign of improvement here however small? [remainder deleted, please drop the personal attacks]

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#24)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:06:12 AM EST
    sailor - I am curious as to your meaning of:
    51% agree with you in the most limited question.
    How about linking us to the actual poll and the actual questions? As for your untoward comments calling me a liar, I find that typical of you. You might also read edger's reply:
    Glad to see that occassionally your reading and comprehension skills can handle processing 2 words: Sieg Heil, and actually get it right, and understand the writer's meaning.
    Now who understood what he meant? You or edger? edger - Thanks for helping me correct sailor's misunderstanding. As for the rest of comments, doesn't all the bile in your stomach cause indigestion? I find your comments mildly amusing and ill written, which demonstrates why in the past you went directly to more objectional expressions. Couldn't you find a song to quote? No........?? (Think of raised eyebrows and a puzzled expression.) et al - Really, how can you complain about hardball politics? Heck, Rove probably learned his techniques by studying at one of acknowledged best. Lyndon Johnson, a fairly well known Democrat President?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#25)
    by soccerdad on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:32:57 AM EST
    as usual PPJ feels that the members of the Judicary Committee should put politics above the law. Hardball politics is one thing, breaking the law is something else. Of course Bush is the law according to rethugs

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:36:50 AM EST
    The issue is warrantless surveillance of calls from/to terrorits in international locations from/to people in the US. No. The issue is warrantless surveillance of phone calls made by US citizens. Why do you keep lying about this, Jim?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:38:52 AM EST
    Professor Godwin (of Godwin's Law) has a blog, which I hadn't realized. And there's a post on President Bush and Warrantless Wiretaps! How appropriate.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:42:16 AM EST
    Considering how well support from Bush worked out for Kilgore in the Virginia governor's race, shouldn't the threat be that if they don't play along then Mr. Unpopular will show up to campaign for them?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#29)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 11:31:33 AM EST
    Jesurgislac Why do you keep using the word "lying?" It is an attack word and really says that you don't want to debate. The issue is this. The NSA, according to all information I have seen, says that what they are doing is surveillance on communications between known/suspected terrorists and persons within the US. Some of these persons may be "citizens." The calls may orginated by the known/suspected terrorist outside the US to inside the US, or from inside the US to international locations. Now, if you can agree on the above, we will have a baseline in the argument. It is my understanding that you believe the NSA has been involved in "domestic spying." The inference is that they are listening to conversations between two US citizens orginated and terminated within the US. You have absolute rights to that opinion. I do not believe that is correct. I have absolute rights to my opinion. If you can prove "domestic spying," please feel free to do so. But don't use the as described NSA program as an example of "domestic spying." Re Goodwin's blog - The position that the NSA is listening to a large number of calls looking for "patterns of words" has been made several times and places, inlcuding here by (I think) punisher. That doesn't change anything the NSA has said. i.e. They're scanning calls in/out from suspected/real terrorists to various places including US citizens.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#30)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 11:34:41 AM EST
    KCinDC, Your theory sounds good... at first. But, I dunno... they do everything backwards and upside down and inside out already, don't they? Do you think reverse psychology would have any effect on them, or would it backfire? ;-)

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 03:01:55 PM EST
    Jim: Why do you keep using the word "lying?" Because you keep right on lying, Jim. The inference is that they are listening to conversations between two US citizens orginated and terminated within the US. You have absolute rights to that opinion. Heh. Let us suppose - after all, we have no actual facts - that in fact the NSA is only listening to conversations where either the originator or the terminator is outside the US. (You cannot prove this is the case, as there is no oversight of what the NSA is actually doing.) Is it your view, then, that when US citizens so much as place a phone call outside the US, they cease to be US citizens with the right not to be wiretapped without warrant? I do not believe that is correct. I have absolute rights to my opinion. Heh. So, Jim, you're claiming that you have an absolute right to believe that when US citizens place a phonecall outside the US, they cease to be US citizens? And because you believe that to be correct, you don't want to be accused of lying about it?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#32)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 03:26:35 PM EST
    TL: [remainder deleted, please drop the personal attacks] Thanks, Jeralyn. Got myself a little wound up there this morning. My apologies...

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#33)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 03:35:57 PM EST
    most of this discussion has lost sight of the thread's basic point which is that Rove is showing his teeth, and the GOP senators are falling in line so quick, they give sitzpinklers a bad name.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#34)
    by Johnny on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 04:16:53 PM EST
    Re Goodwin's blog
    Gotta nit-pick ya Jimmy. It is "Godwin's" blog. Sorry to point that out to ya, I am sure you have your reasons for onstantly mis-spelling the man's name...

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#35)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 04:35:10 PM EST
    punisher: most of this discussion has lost sight of the thread's basic point which is that Rove is showing his teeth, and the GOP senators are falling in line so quick, they give sitzpinklers a bad name. Well, did anyone expect anything else? If Bush is impeached, and especially if a special prosecutor is then appointed, then who knows what could follow? If Bush goes down, so does Cheney: indeed, how far down in the line of succession must one go to find an official who would certainly not be implicated if Bush was impeached? I honestly believe (at times) that these guys are certain they have fixed things up so that they will be in power forever. They will never have to deal with a Democratic president - or even a Republican president from outside their power-group - who has been given the powers they have taken for Bush. Of course Rove is exerting all the pressure he can on Republicans who might just think "If the President is doing this, perhaps he deserves to be impeached." The thing is, though, as someone else already noted on another thread, there are so many factors and so many people involved. Rove could still be indicted by Fitzgerald. Of course he will expect to be pardoned by Bush if he is convicted: but what of Libby? What if Cheney is provably implicated? How many years in jail will all of these powerful men agree to serve in order not to turn in their buddies? It could only take one person to crack - and they all know it. The Bush White House can't be a very pleasant place to work right now.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#36)
    by Edger on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:00:52 PM EST
    Rove is exerting all the pressure he can on Republicans who might just think "If the President is doing this, perhaps he deserves to be impeached." Full anticipatory damage control mode now? The Bush White House can't be a very pleasant place to work right now. Pressure cooker with too hot a fire under it now? How long can they keep it from exploding?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:05:46 PM EST
    How long can they keep it from exploding? Long enough to secure W into a third term.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#38)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:34:39 PM EST
    Republican Senator A " I doth protest. ThIs syping on Americans is, well, un american. Rove: Obviously you have something to hide. Rspublican Senator A: I have nothing to hide. Rove: Actually we know you have something to hide. Republican Senator A: We are not spying on Americans, we are spting on terrorists. The President has full authority to do anything he damn well pleases, because he is, um, the president. We are at war....

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#39)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:42:27 PM EST
    squeaky: Rspublican Senator A: I have nothing to hide... Rove: Actually we know you have something to hide. equally effective-
    GOP Senator A: I have nothing to hide... Rove: Who cares? We'd rather make stuff up, anyway, and it works just as well.
    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#40)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 05:52:08 PM EST
    It is the Plantation. Play or pay.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#42)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 07:25:33 PM EST
    ppj-Is that good until '08? Wanna raise it to $1000.?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#43)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 07:25:53 PM EST
    If Bush is impeached I will give Talk Left $500 if one of you will give $500 if he is not. No deal! I can get 400/1 on that one. Bet on Bush impeachment proceedings
    President Bush is under fire because of his authorization and support of wiretapping American citizens without the required court approval. A handful of Congress members and Senate Democrats are considering impeachment options... While actual impeachment is a long shot, hearings that could lead to an impeachment inquiry are certainly possible. Sportsbook.com has set the odds on Congress initiating impeachment proceedings against President Bush at +400.


    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#41)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 07:31:01 PM EST
    Johnny - Okay, it's Goodwin's Law and Godwin's blog.... Tell me. Is your ego in such bad shape that you need this? Tell me. Since you understood what I meant, what is your concern? I mean, really Johnny. Can't you find a single point to make? et al - If Bush is impeached I will give Talk Left $500 if one of you will give $500 if he is not. [sentence deleted]

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#44)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 07:41:43 PM EST
    Squeaky - Well, he has to be in office, doesn't he. You've got the offer. Yes or no? punusher - Shhh, I've got a live on the hook.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#45)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 07:45:25 PM EST
    ...Shhh, I've got a live on the hook. I'll shill for you for 30%

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#46)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 07:58:07 PM EST
    NYT:
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- A House Republican whose subcommittee oversees the National Security Agency broke ranks with the White House on Tuesday and called for a full Congressional inquiry into the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program.
    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#47)
    by jimcee on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 08:26:59 PM EST
    JimakaPPJ, Please just use 'Godwin's Law' as it will stop so much silliness over semantics. Please, please, please... Et al lefties, Uhm as far as any betting sites I'd be a bit sceptical of them. They need to gain enough emotional bets to move thier point spread closer to reality because they don't make thier money on winning bets. Also I think you might be misreading what a +400 bet might be. I'm just saying but that is why Las Vegas is so shiney. Me I think that that the odds of Bush being impeached are zero to none unless the Dems win 2/3's of the Senate in 2006. That means that the Dems or Left leaning Independents need to win 13 seats to make impeachment a reality. They also have to win way more seats in the House of Representitentives than is practically possible because of jerrymandering most of districts. So dream of a Bush impeachment but don't depend on it. As you're dreaming, your bet noir (Karl Rove) is winning the 2006 election. If your dream is a Bush impeachment then that is effectivly a vote for Dick Cheney to become President. Is that your fantasy outcome or are you that derelict in your understanding of the Constitution? You should plan for the 2008 election because your impeachment fantasies are just that, fantasies. Time to plan for the future.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#48)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 08:35:27 PM EST
    j: ...you might be misreading what a +400 bet might be. A distinct possibility. Feel free to clear it up. Anyway, I figured Jim would set me straight if I had it wrong. Jim?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#49)
    by Johnny on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 08:55:52 PM EST
    Jimmy, huh? Your point being? Come come my good man... At least don't sit there and call me black, ya shiny old kettle.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#50)
    by jimcee on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:19:50 PM EST
    Punisher, Not being much of a gambler myself the one thing I have noticed is that when the touts give high odds on the outset they are looking for optimistic fools to pony up thier bets and when enough of them come up with thier bets they lower the odds incrementally to attract those that are a bit more cautious in thier wagering. By adjusting the odds as they go the touts minimize thier own financial risk by using the optimistic fools money as a backer for pay-outs. If you think that +400 are good odds two years out you are just contributing to the capital building funds in LV, Atlantic City or in my area, the Oneida Nation. All those places don't build thier pleasure palaces by paying out more than they take in. As I said I'm not a gambler, heck I don't even buy lottery tickets but all one has to do is look at the gambling meccas and realise that the odds they are giving you are a suckers bet. Just saying but....

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#51)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 07, 2006 at 10:23:22 PM EST
    ok, nevermind.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#52)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 01:56:02 AM EST
    jimcee: If your dream is a Bush impeachment then that is effectivly a vote for Dick Cheney to become President. Not if Dick Cheney's already been indicted in the Plame Affair.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#53)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 04:58:58 AM EST
    ppj-
    Squeaky - Well, he has to be in office, doesn't he. You've got the offer. Yes or no? punusher - Shhh, I've got a live on the hook.
    I was thinking a more reasonable set of odds than the one out there. How bout 200 to 1?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#54)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 05:53:38 AM EST
    Another break in the ranks at the Plantation. Wonder what Rove has in mind for this one?
    A House Republican whose subcommittee oversees the National Security Agency broke ranks with the White House on Tuesday and called for a full Congressional inquiry into the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program. The lawmaker, Representative Heather A. Wilson of New Mexico, chairwoman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, said in an interview that she had "serious concerns" about the surveillance program. By withholding information about its operations from many lawmakers, she said, the administration has deepened her apprehension about whom the agency is monitoring and why.
    NYT

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#55)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 06:03:24 AM EST
    Good catch Squeaky. The NYT story is only available online though if you're subscribed to NYT Online. Here is the same story from Australia's "The Age".

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#56)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 07:39:11 AM EST
    edger-I am not subscribed to NYT online or print. Canselled my long time subscription when Judy Miller started her warmongering propaganda several years ago. I got the link and story from HuffPo

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#57)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 11:17:53 AM EST
    Squeaky, Ok. Strange though, when I click the link I hit the NYT subscribe wall. Maybe they just don't like me? ;-)

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#58)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 11:21:46 AM EST
    edger-even from HuffPo?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#59)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 11:24:07 AM EST
    Squeaky, Only from my home computer this morning. From work here it's no problem. But I've hit that NYT wall before intermittently from here and home. Maybe a minor bug in their system?

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#60)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 12:06:54 PM EST
    edger-this looks interesting link via one onf my faves robot wisdom

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#61)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 12:12:01 PM EST
    Thanks, Squeaky. I'm an info junkie, which is probably obvious. I'll wade into those a bit after work.

    Re: Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist (none / 0) (#62)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 01:41:57 PM EST
    punisher - jimcee - 400 to 1 means that for every 1 unit bet the house will return 400. It says nothing about what the "unit" is. i.e. A $1.00 bet would return $400. Or $1,000 would return $400,000. But the house normally speifies the minimm and maximum bet allowed. Another example would be 400 to 2, which are 200 to 1 odds, but the smallest bet is $2.00. Odds of 6 to 5 would be $6.00 returnd for every $5.00 bet or fraction thereof. Cards and dice odds are stated as X to Y. i.e. 9 to 1, which means that a specfic occurance will occur 1 time out of 10 occurances or chances. What is not said is that the real odds are more like 90,000 to 10,000, so the actual evet could have 90,000 misses and then 10,000 hits. That's why pot size and game granularity is important. Squeaky - Just for you. I'll give $400 if Bush is impeached if you will give $100.

    Report: Rove Threatens Senators With Blacklist | 62 comments (62 topical)