Lets Get Ready to Rumble...over a subpoena?!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush set up an anticipated court battle with the Democratic-led Congress on Thursday by refusing to comply with subpoenas in its widening probe of fired federal prosecutors.

My last article suggested that the possibility of a lengthy and high-profile battle between congress and the office of the Vice President. It seems even more possible now, with the White House refusing to comply with Subpoena's for information on the firing of nine U.S Attorneys.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has thus far enjoyed the support of the Bush administration, and it seems as though he will continue to do so, despite calls for him to resign. One can only conclude that if President Bush is willing to exercise executive privilege to defend Gonzales, that it is more than likely he will go to bat for Vice President Dick Cheyney as well.

The implications of this upcoming court battle may be staggering. Should the Bush Administration lose this fight, it may well sound the death knell for any resistance to other subpoena's in the future. Should they win, it may well entice them to continue in such a vein.

White House Counsel, Fred Fielding, in defense of the decision stated that, "Presidents would not be able to fulfill their responsibilities if their advisers -- on fear of being commanded to Capitol Hill to testify or having their documents produced to Congress -- were reluctant to communicate openly and honestly in the course of rendering advice and reaching decisions,".

In my opinion, advisers should not fear being commanded to Capitol Hill to testify. Nor should they fear having their documents produced to Congress. However, this lack of fear should not come from Presidential protection and secrecy; rather, it should come from the knowledge that their actions are ethically, morally, and legally upright.

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