I guess this time he doesn't have Scooty Libby to throw under the bus, so he is just going to run his mouth himself, and get thrown under the bus. It's not like he hasn't gone off the deep end before when "the media" has gotten to close to the truth. {Remember: Who gave the order to have Libby call Russert to get Matthews to shut up?}

Karl Rove has been the mastermind of the most corrupt administration in American history. There motto is, Why tell the truth when a lie would work just as well?" From the Valarie Plame outing, to the fiction movie our military made concerning Jessica Lynch, to the double tragedy suffered by the Tillman family, first in the loss of their son, then being lied to by our country. These all have Karl Rove's name written all over them. And now, we thought he was gone for good, but evidently not. And apparently he thinks he can do anything he damn well pleases, ruin lives, put civil servant's lives in jeopardy, etc., because he can run and hide behind the executive privilege claim under King George. This is disgusting, and it's no wonder under the regime, we are not the most mistrusted country in the world.

I am so proud of you Dan! Karl Rove is nothing but a bully and he is just looking to intimidate you. He is so used to playing this game at whatever cost, that I bet you will be hearing from him in one way or another again and again. Stand up to this bully who should be ashamed of himself but probably lost the ability to feel anything like that years and years ago - maybe before you were born.

Go Dan!

Betesie
Silver Spring, MD

Even if Karl Rove did agree to meet with you and talk, do you actually think he would tell the truth? This is the mastermind of the most corrupt administration to ever sit in the White House. This is the same individual who thinks our Constitution is a joke? I would trust Karl Rove about as far as I could see him - no - that's clearly too far!

If he were able to get Rove on, then Rove would have to go on record, one way or another. So even lies would be better than nothing as the interview would reduce his room for maneuver, which is why he won't go on record in the first place.

Doh!

Do you think maybe the reason there are no e-mails, etc. to prove they had these conversations is because millions of e-mails seem to have disappeared mysteriously -- specifically relating to the Attorney General scandals? This attempt to control the Justice Department is the scariest thing that this administration did in their 8 years in office. To completely politicize the judicial system is to truly become a banana republic!

Way to go, Dan, in your response to Karl the bully! The way to handle a bully, of course, is to stand up to them. I would like nothing better than to see you break this story wide open.

Nice work Dan.

You are obviously aware you're dealing with the nastiest, dastardly, snake-in-the-grass, dirty-trickster ever associated with a presidential party. This guy is the master at becoming smoke after his deeds are done. That is, up until now, no fingerprints and supposedly, "executive privilege" to cover anything else.

If anyone can smoke him out, it could be you.

All the while I was reading your response letter, I couldn't help but think you were playing right in his hands by doing this in writing versus one on one, off the cuff and thereby giving him ample opportunity to craft and prepare his responses.

Your questions aid him in your thinking and approach but he's holding a lot more cards, including but not limited to, clever, dirty tricks up his sleeves, in his hat, tucked in his belt, stuck under the chair and in his shorts.

My belief is that; to catch a crook, you have to think like one - as difficult as that is to imagine, with this turd-blossom.

Grab a legal pad or two - or an assistant and start recreating this guy's nasty play-book. Go way back to when he was in college and sacked the upperclassman leader of the Student Republicans. Include the "Hey, look at the bug I found behind this picture just before voting began for Texas Governor Ann Richards versus good 'ole George W. (That was later found to have only 3-hour batteries in them - Duh.) Include the whisper campaign about her sexual preference that wasn't quite enough to tip the scales.

Hopefully, his patterns will appear. Hire some ex-cons to help out if necessary.

This guy lives for the "gotcha - bet you never saw that coming" moment.

You've got to play his game on him to beat him. That, he would never expect.

He knows everyone else is honest and plays fair 'n square - he uses that to their disadvantage. No one would ever expect anyone to actually play that dirty, right?
He's mastered the technique of the outrageousness – the big, hairy, audacious goal factor, it's the "way over the top" that knocks his victims off guard.

He also uses people to use people while he slips out the back.

His undoing is going to be to nail someone close to him (with tons of incriminating evidence) who is less equipped than he - dastardly-wise - and set them up with such a hard fall and no escape routes. This, along with a nice, tell-all book contract that they may never have to work again, will give the Senate, all future criminal trials and War Crime Tribunals in The Hague all the ammo they need to put this guy where he belongs.

Dan, this could be your singular, Woodward-Bernstein moment to topple this corrupt administration and its top ranks.

Rove is basically a coward. Just look at him. He relies on his smarts to not just get out of trouble - he gets back at his enemies tenfold by outwitting them and slamming them in ways they never saw coming. When he goes down and find's out he's going to share a cell with "Bubba" - then you can smile.

Thirty years from now we'll still be reading books and commentary from the Lawyer who took on the Boy Genius and Won: The man who kicked the turd out of Turd-Blossom and never got any on his shoes.

Shucks, I'm probably not giving you half the credit you deserve. You're most likely, already ten steps ahead of me on this approach - Right?

Can anyone even imagine this scenario?

Rove is instrumental in, not only bringing up old charges again – against a popular Governor – just before a close election – despite a questionable witness and accusations against others – and WINNING the case – AND getting an immediate PERP-WALK on TV for the world to see!!!! Outrageous!! Could Never Happen!!! That's Over the Top. This is the United States – we have several levels of oversight so this could never happen.

All this and we don't get to see behind the scenes when Turd-Blossom lights up his cigar and says in his best Hannibal imitation, "I love when a plan comes together"

Get him for us. You Rock, Dan.

Me thinks Rove doth protest to much. Rove is an insidious devious liar. He should be in prison, right along side Cheney, Bush and Gonzales.

As a former citizen of Alabama, we (and others) need the more of the national media to expose corruption like the kind brokered by Alabama Dept of Justice. Alabama has a history of horrible legislation and an even worst political system. But it would be a MISTAKE to make Don Siegelman's case about Karl Rove. I know Rove is a big fish and he's most certainly involved in this case, but remain true to your journalistic standard and go after the Alabama Dept of Justice. Focus on the attorney generals involved in the case Dan. You'll probably find sufficient modus operandi within their testimony. Stay with it Dan, but stay focused.

Here's a little gas for the proverbial fire. From today's Chicago Tribune -

U.S. attorney allegedly targeted by Karl Rove, Bob Kjellander

By Bob Secter | Tribune reporter 5:02 PM CDT, April 23, 2008

"In a bombshell disclosure before testimony began Wednesday morning in the Antoin "Tony" Rezko trial, a federal prosecutor said a former Rezko confidant was prepared to say that another friend of Rezko was trying to pull strings with White House political director Karl Rove to fire U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald and kill his investigation into Rezko.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Carrie Hamilton said Ali Ata would testify to conversations he had with Rezko in 2004 about the power play. The Rezko investigation then was in its early stages.

Ata, a former official in the administration of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, on Tuesday pleaded guilty in connection with Rezko-related corruption, saying that Blagojevich was present in the room when Ata and Rezko discussed swapping a $25,000 campaign contribution for a job in the administration.

Before the jury was brought into the courtroom Wednesday, Hamilton told U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve that Republican National Committeeman Robert Kjellander was working with Rove "to have Fitzgerald removed."

Related links
Lawyer: ... But Rove didn't do it Gavel-to-Gavel: Continual trial updates Both Rove and Kjellander issued denials Wednesday.

Rove, a former deputy chief of staff to President Bush who is now a private consultant in Washington, said through his attorney that he didn't recall any such conversations and denied he ever sought Fitzgerald's firing.

"Karl has known Kjellander for many years but does not recall him or anyone else arguing for Fitzgerald's removal," Robert Luskin, Rove's attorney, said Wednesday.

"And [Rove] is very certain that he didn't take any steps to do that, or have any conversations with anyone in the White House—or in the Justice Department—about doing anything like that." Kjellander issued a statement, saying, "I never have discussed with Karl Rove or any other person on the White House staff the proposition that U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald should or could be removed from his office."

Kjellander was a sometimes business associate of Stuart Levine, who has pleaded guilty to conspiring with Rezko to rig state boards for contracts.

Rove for years was Bush's chief political strategist as well as an old friend of Kjellander.

Hamilton said the conversation she hoped Ata would testify to was about having Fitzgerald replaced by someone else, she said, "so individuals who have been cooperating in this investigation will be dealt with differently."

St. Eve did not make a ruling on whether Ata will be allowed to testify.

Though St. Eve said she would not allow it into evidence, prosecutors said they were also prepared to have Steve Loren, a former attorney for a state teachers pension board, testify about a conversation he had in November 2004 with Springfield power broker William Cellini.

Though Cellini has not been charged in the case, prosecutors have labeled him a co-schemer with Rezko in plots to rig the actions of two state boards in exchange for kickbacks.

Loren was prepared to say that he asked Cellini what he knew about an investigation by federal agents into activities of the two boards, prosecutors said. They added that Loren would say that Cellini told him: "Bob Kjellander's job is to take care of the U.S. attorney."

Loren's account appears to buttress Ata's claims."

bsecter@tribune.com

MSNBC has been after Karl Rove for so long but still no convictions, as Shuster would say, his indictment is on the way.

I read Karl Roves letter to Abrams, made lot of sense, Abrams did not go out of his way to disprove the accusations made against Karl Rove. Mr Rove has become the Liberal media's whipping boy. Is it because he whipped the DNC in two elections???

MSNBC has got to start doing their own homework, instead of relying on the Far Left Blogs.

Dan, thank you for focusing attention on this topic. However, I believe you have focused your attention too narrowly. I hope you plan to show the connection between Jack Abramoff and the sinking of Don Siegelman. Also, I hope you highlight the stealing of the 2002 Alabama election in which Siegelman lost his re-election bid since it is consistent with the voter caging, voter intimidation, and vote stealing that happened nationally in 2000 and 2004.

Abrams calling what he does reporting is like a stripper calling what she does ballet. He is one of the biggest propaganda-spewing ideologues on MSNBC. Olby is the only one bigger. His "response" to Rove is full of demands to prove negatives and come on his show. What a weasel. The only one who would benefit is...Abrams. He has to try to legitimize his allegations. He has no proof. He just wants a shot at Rove. What a tool.

Mr. Abrams,
I applaud your letter to Rove, it is probably the first time Rove has ever been asked direct, hard questions. If only, there were any possibility of an answer from this political toad, that would be even better.

carl rove should be held accountable for cia leak and god nows what else while we are talking truth its about time for ALL MEDIA to drop this reverand wright mess what about sniper fire hillary lied through her teeth mcain proud to be assoutated with rev who said neworleans was brought on because of gays and catholics are whores lets get off this crap with gas aproaching four dollars housing in the tank our jobs being outsoursed WE GOT REAL AND BIG PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTRY BESIDES SOME QUACK MINISTER TAKING ALL THE AIR OUT OF REAL ISSUES

CARL ROVE GEORGE W BUSH DICK CHANEY C RICE AND ALL OTHER BUSHIES SHOULD BE IN GUANTAMINO BAY WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE CONTACTS these are the worst criminals i have ever seen and some of you call bush president NOT OF MY COUNTRY

God bless you, Dan! Hang in there!

I am from Alabama and have a great interest in seeing someone follow this story down to a resolution. Rove has single-handedly destroyed one of the most important government agencies crucial to our freedom -- the Justice Department that protects our citizens and investigates those who try to destroy the Constitution. Unfortunately, the people that the JD should have been investigating and prosecuting are the ones in control for the last seven years.

Keep up the good work. Whether you like Siegelman or not, or voted for him or not, it's not the man, it's the rule of law that is at stake. Again, thanks!

GOOD FOR Y0U DAN ABRAMS!!! IT WAS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE TOLD karl rove the truth about his horrendous mind, tongue and administration.

Hope Hill

Watch your back, Dan. That Rove is one evil psycho; as are the sicko's who jump to his defense. It's great to have a gutsy reporter who is on the side of justice. You're an inspiration!

Nicely done, Dan. None of those currently refusing to testify are allowed to offer spin while not under oath. Yes, Rove (and a Host of criminally incompetent Republicans, thy name is Legion) et al, will be pardoned, but it's important to never allow these people a moments' rest. They are to be hounded and questioned until the American people have answers - even if there's not going to be accountability. Our Republic requires them to submit to the Rule of Law and the exceptionalism they assume is not American, it is craven.

I have believed Karl Rove to be an enemy of the democratic process since I first became aware of him 20 years ago. This is a man with absolutely no morals, no ethics, no integrity. A man who would have sex with his mother live on primetime television if it meant that he and that moron Bush would win. Will we ever gain satisfaction over the stolen elections in Florida and Ohio? Probably not but the problem for Karl Rove is that in his own arrogance over his successes he undoubtedly has made errors that might still trip him up and put him where he belongs: in a prison cell with a lifer named Bubba. The Siegalman case is a for instance where this might occur in some measure. There seems liklihood that others will percolate up and somewhere along the line one of his henchmen are going to get nervous and give up the truth. It is obvious the Karl Rove is so worried as to get involved with getting the miserable excuse, I know I'm from Arizona, Insane McCain elected as President. He wants a Republican who will not allow the Justice Department to do its constitutional duty, will not pursue all the different corruptions perpetrated by the President, Vice President, Karl Rove and company.

Wow. A member of the media standing up to Rove, REALLY calling him on his BS. I think I just felt a chilly breeze from the direction of Hell.

Keep up the good work, Dan. Just promise you'll be there with a camera crew when Congress finally discovers its collective gonads and sends the bailiffs out to hold him on contempt of Congress charges for refusing to answer the Judiciary Committee subpoena. I'll be popping popcorn and popping the cork on a nice bottle of Grande Dame watching the coverage!

If bush and Rove were ever convicted of all the crimes they have committed, they would be in jail for the rest of their lives. Our failed corrupt "justice" system will never hold the elite accountable.

After reading the story I realized "again" that there is no justice in Washington, as they bend the laws they expect the citizens to live by.

At this point we need to get people to run for office that are by the people and for the people instead of bought and sold on wall street or China or to big oil. Our only chance is to go back to smaller business, support inventions instead of buy outs, support people hiring Americans. Seriously, that Transmission company just cut its employees wages. How will they pay for the higher and higher cost of living? How will any of us? And do we hear washington or wall street or exxon taking pay cuts or profit cuts.. heck no.
Time to push aside Rove and people like him. Time to put in honest law abiding Americans put our country first, and I don't think we will find them running for office in Washington with all the money and power it takes to run. We need a big change AWAY FROM CORRPUTION!