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Dick Morris: Pres. Obama's use of executive privilege in 'Fast and Furious' could wound presidency
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-- the fast and furious scandal getting scalding hot.
Another glare of the spotlight moving from the Justice Department straight to the White House President Obama invoking executive privilege just minutes before committees contempt vote against attorney general Eric Holder.
Dick Morris says that executive privilege claim could cost President Obama the election now why does he say that Dick Morris author of the new -- -- -- joins -- nice to see -- Good to be here are why do you think this assertion of executive privilege is -- to the president politically come November.
While fatal it's going a little far I think it's.
I think it hurts him and I think it's a big mistake on his part.
Until he acted personal nobody was covering the scandal except us Fox News the rest of the medium largely ignored mad they can't.
Secondly.
It's Obama assuming the scandal on himself.
He's saying in effect -- already some holder was concealing these documents it's me.
Because executive privilege.
Is the president telling -- -- officer.
I am asserting my privilege which is that I for big view to hand these documents over because doing it.
Would compromise essential communications between you and me.
So what Obama's basically doing when he asserts executive privilege is admitting that he played a role in the cover up but the fast and furious scandal.
And does not want those documents released or at least that he was in touch with the mob that.
That's something that moves the locus of the scandal from the Justice Department to the white -- usually wanna move.
The other way RA is George fatal that is my word and I have us focus -- -- speak with the terms of that but that.
-- let's move ahead to next week let's assume that in advance of a vote by the entire house representatives.
It is somehow resolve does that somehow change your view do American voters have rather short term memory and that -- -- sort of at least put this aside and come November avenue BC.
Executive privilege what.
Well at.
I think it's probable that they will come to a conclusion -- I used to say when I worked for Clinton and the council would assert privilege and would say which you bring -- claim privilege.
And I would say in my best German accent spare yourself hours of pain and suffering they all turn over the documents in the end.
-- held their.
But if he turns over the documents there's obviously something -- he doesn't want -- and say.
And this probably gives that scandal -- more legs and more more visibility.
But for the moment it's political impact is within the context.
Of next week's likely Supreme Court decision if the court throws out Obama care.
You can be repudiated in one and a few -- period by congress will hold him in contempt or committee well.
And the court will throw out his signature piece of legislation.
It's not good for president that's trying to convince the American people that his administration succeeding.
I suppose in due to work out some agreement to -- these documents it turned over and supposed to there's nothing in the document.
But that the White House was really asserting is a privilege -- executive privilege in fear that.
And fear that this somehow the privilege to become watered down -- -- head didn't know if people have presence didn't stand up for.
Then what.
Now you know impact but -- I I don't think the president's four months before Election Day assert executive privilege to preserve that constitutional prerogative.
They do it to preserve their skin.
So what do you even -- it could think possibly could be -- documents well obviously evidence that Obama was in touch with older.
In encouraged him not to turn over documents and encouraging him -- we're talking about -- to shift blame for the fast and furious scandal.
I think it's I think that could be could be very damaging and also.
There's the same time the national security leak scandal was taking place which leads directly to the president.
Are you get me for using a term fatal loosely let me that you for the term using.
Obviously the president knew something about I don't frankly I don't think it's obvious that -- people assert privilege -- For all sorts of reasons other than quote obviously somebody -- we did -- -- it's -- -- -- that one.
Only a lawyer would think that granite.
But listen I I -- just mentioned some -- -- look at the facts as an aside we do have we certainly do have a commitment of flak for accidents so.
You know that's why add that I -- and the -- -- Up today -- -- Hillary is in -- at the UN environment conference.
Giving away -- two billion dollars of our money to the Third World for climate change.
And they are negotiating and I've mention this because I cover my book screwed.
A global EPA.
That would have global -- rule making it mandatory.
Authority over the member nations and she is currently negotiating that agreement.
That it's it's it's a very serious step.
It would transfer jurisdiction over much of our environmental legislation.
On climate change and global warming and -- in trading carbon.
To the United Nations.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Negotiating that I just thought I'd let your viewers know about it pilot viewers are they have not heard that you say that we'll check into that I'd take thank --
