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May 17, 2007

Comey is a Hero

If you have not yet heard or read the testimony that Former Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey gave Congress on Tuesday, you really need to check it out (I'm not linking to the video, but it should be easy to find). Comey tells of how he and Attorney General John Ashcroft, in March of 2004, had decided that warrentless wiretapping, otherwise referred to by Comey as "a particular classified program," was illegal. Ashcroft decided he would not provide a signature certifying its legality and allowing the program to continue. Shortly thereafter, Ashcroft was hospitalized and Comey became the acting Attorney General - and the person who had the difficult job of telling the President that the program would not be re-certified. Comey then tells of how, on March 10, Alberto Gonzales and Andrew Card, at the direction of President Bush, decided to circumvent Comey's authority and visit the hospital bed of the gravely ill John Ashcroft to try to convince him to allow the continued use of the program. The drama that unfolded is so astounding that it reads more like a movie script than an actual occurrence. Needless to say, Comey's testimony has reignited the investigation into the warrantless wiretapping program.

What strikes me about this is the fact that Comey is a Republican who, if you listen to him speak and pause and struggle with his testimony, is clearly very upset at having to push down the pillars holding the roof over this Administration. He has had to make the very difficult, gut-wrenching choice to do the right thing even though it will harm his Party and perhaps even efforts he supports. The pressure coming down on him for this must be incredibly intense. I, for one, have a profound admiration for his courage and integrity.

Posted by Becky at May 17, 2007 12:16 PM