[Dean's World] Dean: Obvious Result

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Posted by Dean:
Obvious Result
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1149113569.shtml


   Roger Simon notes a poll showing that [1]86% of Americans support the
   FBI in searching a congressman's office, so long as they've got a
   warrant from a judge.

   Having said that, I have begun of late to think that I was too hard on
   the congressional leadership when this story broke. After all, they
   weren't saying a corrupt congressman shouldn't be investigated, but
   rather, that the way it was done was disrespectful of the institution.

   I didn't quite ken that until someone asked me whether it would be
   allowable for the FBI to kick in the White House door and conduct a
   "Saturday night raid" so long as they had a warrant. Now in practical
   terms that would be crazy--the Secret Service would probably get in
   the way--but it is a good point on principle.

   What tipped me over the edge was, believe it or not, [2]this Tony
   Blankley column. Among conservative pundits, he's one of my favorites,
   because he's witty and doesn't take himself too seriously. Indeed, you
   should read the whole column, it's very erudite and quite funny in
   parts. The hippo line made me laugh out loud, as did the description
   of Congress as a large flightless bird.

   But anyway, Blankley makes this point:

     ...it must be noted that this sorry episode need never have
     occurred if Attorney General Gonzales had possessed a shrewder,
     more worldly understanding of Washington ways. If he had called up
     the speaker and asked for the House sargeant at arms to formally
     execute the search warrant with the assistance of the F.B.I.,
     surely there would have been no sense of traduced congressional
     prerogatives.

   And you know, that's not something I'd thought of in my rush to
   condemn Hastert, Pelosi, and others.

   Hastert and others in Congress seem to have handled the matter poorly,
   but whatever Americans' low opinion of Congress might be, it's an
   institution worthy of respect. Unless the implication is that somehow
   the congressional leadership would cover for William Jefferson--which
   I doubt they would--it would have been more in keeping with simple
   propriety to involve the Speaker, the Majority and Minority leader,
   etc. instead of just barging in with a warrant.

   Not that the warrant wasn't valid, nor that the congressman isn't
   probably guilty. But there is a point to be made about respecting the
   institution.

   Anyway, [3]read Blankley's column.

References

   1. http://www.rogerlsimon.com/mt-archives/2006/06/mr_hastert_sit.php
   2. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/05/ruffled_republican_feathers.html
   3. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/05/ruffled_republican_feathers.html"