Bush warns Dems to take offer in firings
By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – A defiant President Bush warned Democrats Tuesday to accept his offer to have top aides speak about the firings of federal prosecutors only privately and not under oath, or risk a constitutional showdown from which he would not back down.
Democrats’ response was swift and firm: They said they would start authorizing subpoenas as soon as Wednesday for the White House aides.
“Testimony should be on the record and under oath. That’s the formula for true accountability,” said Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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