Politics

Jay Carney: Fast and Furious Contempt Vote Just ‘Political Theater’

Press Secretary Jay Carney Says Obama Administration Hopes Republicans Change Their Minds About Contempt Vote Against Eric Holder

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney

With an impending contempt vote looming in the House, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Wednesday that Republicans have made a “strategic choice” to go forward with contempt proceedings and the Obama administration hopes they “change their mind.”

But he made one thing clear about the Fast and Furious investigation and contempt charges, “It’s not about Fast and Furious.”

Carney said Justice Department staffers met with members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee yesterday in an attempt to strike a deal that would prevent a contempt vote on Thursday, however, the negotiations were fruitless.

In the meeting, Carney said House Republicans were offered “unprecedented access” to Fast and Furious documents and provided “samples” of the information but the lawmakers were reportedly not impressed.

“It is unfortunate,” Carney added. ”There was an ample opportunity to resolve this as there has been in the past, unfortunately Republicans have chosen politics.”

When asked by an Associated Press reporter how the Obama administration would respond to the vote, Carney said, “It will be viewed for what it is, if it takes place, and that is political theater.”

Responding to the National Rifle Association supporting a Holder contempt vote and arguing Fast and Furious was part of Obama’s anti-gun initiative, Carney said the group is asserting that Fast and Furious was some “grand plan” by the Obama administration.

“The premise behind the assertion falls apart upon even the barest of inquiry,” he said.

The press secretary also defended President Obama’s use of executive privilege over Fast and Furious documents.

“The assertion of privilege here has to do with the absolutely necessary action that any president, any head of the Executive branch must take to preserve the capacity of the executive branch to engage in internal deliberations,” Carney explained.

He again reiterated that the White House is hoping that the vote does not happen, saying the White House remains hopeful that “common sense” will prevail.

When pressed about documents that Holder’s administration has refused to provide, Carney refused to answer only saying, “I would refer you to the Justice Department.”

Earlier Wednesday, Speaker John Boehner said the House will move forward with a contempt of Congress vote against Attorney General Eric Holder over the gun-tracking operation known as Fast and Furious.

The Ohio Republican told reporters that last-minute talks with the White House about releasing documents had failed to avert the vote. President Obama has asserted executive privilege to keep the documents secret, but Republicans say there’s no basis for that.

(Related: Either You Were Involved in ‘Fast and Furious’ or You Are Asserting a Presidential Power That You Know to Be Unjustified: Rep. Issa’s Scathing Letter to President Obama)

The issue has political implications this election year. The National Rifle Association is keeping score, prompting some Democrats to join Republicans in voting for contempt. Such a citation would not cause the release of more documents on the operation, in which guns were allowed to “walk” from Arizona to Mexico in hopes they could be tracked.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (44)

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  • stewbacca3710
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:00pm

    When the President of the United States engages in obstruction of Justice isn’t that a high crime or misdemeanor? Just wondering. Because, if this goes to a special prosecutor and he is found to have obstructed the Congress in an investigation related to punishment for a crime he could be held as an accessory after the fact in at least one death of an American. A well deserved impeachment proceeding could then be held in order to remove this boil of a president from the highest executive office in our country.
    However, if he is found to have approved the illegal movement of arms over the borders of the United States for sale to our enemies, I believe that might constitute an act of treason. Aren’t the drug cartels the sworn enemy of the United States or do we just use words like “The War on Drugs” flippantly and without regard to the lives cost in this “war”?

    Report Post »  
    • bambam1800
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 3:07am

      I like the treason angle……………….Its punishable by death.

      Report Post »  
  • coppervette
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:45pm

    We have ways to make them talk, Can you say WATER BOADING.

    Report Post »  
  • ALL4FREEDOM
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:11pm

    The political theater is in the White House, and it’s a farce.

    Report Post »  
  • needmoinfo
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:09pm

    Political Theater? Carney is the one with a script. He spins it and acts like he believes it. His eyes give him away.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:02pm

    Well, Democrats ought to be familiar with ” political theater.“ Remember all of their OWS dudes feigning pain at their ” arrests ?” Remember the ACORN actors with bullhorns and professionally prepared posters in bankers’ front yards ? Remember the Theater of the Absurd Players who made frequent appearances at Republican candidate campaign rallies ? Oh, those Hollywood-crazed Democrats…..

    Report Post »  
  • MAMMY_NUNN
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:43pm

    It is all a dog and pony show as Obama has deemed the other branches of Congress irrelevant.

    Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:32pm

    Here comes the carney barker again…………go ahead jay, make a bigger fool of yourself.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109;8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • nosharia
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:06pm

    This is not political theater. It is karma for trying to screw over Arizona….and it involves all the kings horses and all the king’s men.

    Report Post »  
  • bcope01
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:04pm

    Fool, its all about the deaths of hundreds of Mexican and two of our (US) agents. This IS Obama’s Watergate, but 10 fold worse. PEOPLE DIED when Eric Holder lied.

    Report Post » bcope01  
  • football lady
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:25pm

    We know, Jay, it‘s all George’s fault and all about voter suppression. Good grief! How do these people sleep at night? They are all nuts.

    Anybody But Obama 2012.

    Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:43pm

      that’s the Barnum and Bailey theme playing behind Jay everytime he speaks.

      Report Post »  
    • SocialistSlayer
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:51pm

      This guy looks as not as the guy he represents.

      Report Post » SocialistSlayer  
  • zoro51
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:09pm

    political theatre.. NO CLOSER TO IMPEACHING OBAMA HELL YEAH

    Report Post » zoro51  
  • Uechi
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:11pm

    Hey Jay wnen your finished picking your pimples ask the Terry family if their son’s death is just poliical theatre you moron.

    Report Post »  
    • dwilco77
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:47pm

      Carney looks like he is getting ready to puke in the picture above.

      Report Post »  
  • jjufon
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:55pm

    I think everyone forgets this truly has nothing to do with F&F. this is about a legal subpoena being ignored.
    That’s it! Nothing else. If he can ignore it then who can’t the next time?
    If you remove F&F from the equation, then there is no choice but to hold him in contempt; regardless of party.

    Report Post »  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:40pm

      It’s still about F&F.. This part is about the cover up, lying and impeding the investigation regarding F&F!

      Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • silly
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:45pm

    I guess Jay thinks we’re all either asleep or not competent of thinking for ourselves. Sure Jay these its politics aha, what about all the Mexicans that have been murdered. Who is responsible for that you guys. what, and Obama wants the Mexicans vote? Hello hispanics wake up this administration doesn’t care about you do NOT give this worthless President your vote. He doesn’t care about your people hello. They are responisble for all the violence in Mexico because they provided all those powerful machine guns that are killing your people.
    So, now they pretend they had nothing to do with it. I say throw them in jail or remove them from their post that is the least decent thing congress can do for America.
    Liars, Liars and they know they can get away with it, our worthless President he doesn’t deserve to occupy that position, he has done nothing absolutely nothing good for our Country. Or am I wrong? just asking.
    God Help Us!

    Report Post »  
  • Amazingoly
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:33pm

    Start packing, Jay. Your ship just hit an iceberg.

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:29pm

    How can this guy, Carney, go out there day after day to dish out such B.S.? Isn’t he embarrassed? Guess not, he’s a Democrat!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • CrawfishFestival2
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:19pm

      He is the perfect example of people decomposing psychologically- as UNFIT for office.

      *
      There should be LAWS against deceiving the American People – for LYING on what Operation Fast and Furious is really about = the COVER-UP of the death of US Border Agent Brian Terry – w weapons from Operation Fast and Furious.

      This indecent garbage is coming from Obama – since Jay Carney is the White House Spokesman!

      Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:11pm

    Who woulda thought that our federal government would be supplying Mexican drug cartels with assault weapons…..ME. and by the way, why the silence from Mexico ??? This makes watergate look like a little league game……thank God for the new media, or we would not know a thing…..”.

    Report Post »  
  • davetrav
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:03pm

    Jay, come out from under Obama’s desk and into the real world.You clowns in Washington think you
    are above the law. OBAMA should be thrown out of office–Pres. Nixon had class—Today’s people
    are Anti–American losers.–OBAMA MUST GO—-VOTE HIM OUT—-SAVE AMERICA.—PERIOD

    Report Post »  
  • For my Liberty!
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:57pm

    Starting to look a little haggard there Jay…Maybe you need a vacation??? Americans have a NICE cell for you, your boss, and all his cohorts…..We would LOVE to put y’all up for a long, LONG TIME!

    Report Post » For my Liberty!  
  • SEOhio
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:51pm

    Does anyone have a copy or know where to look for the video of Obama and Sara Brady talking about gun control in the Oval office? I know I have the story/video, but can’t seem to find it on my discs.
    It would be nice if someone in the brady bunch would talk!

    Report Post » SEOhio  
    • theblazerunner
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:06pm

      search you tube.

      i have several but will not let me upload or link

      Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • SEOhio
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:28pm

      tried you tube. Guess I’ll keep looking. I know I have it, been saving everything. Printing what I can.

      Report Post » SEOhio  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:44pm

    Hey Jay, Obama’s whole presidency has been political theater.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • MinuteSnake
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:17pm

    Hello, My comment is in two Parts: First, Obama Had to be involved in Fast And Furious. I know you have the resources to look back in 2009 when Both Hillary Clinton and Obama were planting the seeds about Guns going to Mexico in an attempt to do an end run around the 2nd amendment by stating false statistics that 72% of Guns bought in Border States were going to Mexico. that was proven False. Reasearch Hillary and Obama Doing that. My second comment is: Please Tell your Webmaster to fix the Blazes Home Page!!! There is too much on your opening page. the Blaze can take 10 min to load before I see it. It’s on your side, not mine. All my other web sites load in seconds. I used to have the Blaze set as my Homepage but it slows my computer down to a standstill. Break it up a bit with links instead of embedded videos of things that don’t concern some of us. Obama out of Office is my prime concern. Thank you.

    Report Post » MinuteSnake  
  • HKS
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:08pm

    These guys are scared to death of what is about to happen. Things will come out that you won’t beleave and all the attempted cover up will make perfect sense. This will put Watergate to shame.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:04pm

    The more and more they say no, the more and more they are covering up.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • caleejr
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:00pm

    political theater? Dude – PEOPLE DIED!!!!!!!!! Who Ordered the program? They are criminally liable for the deaths of not only mexican citizens, but also for one border agent who you can’t seem to remember.

    Report Post » caleejr  
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