Here's the video everyone's watching:
This will raise Perry's stature, right?
Further down on the page, you can see Drudge has a "frowns" theme going:
Perry in synch with Merkel and Putin.
ADDED: Notice that in the still shot, Rosemary is making a gun-shooting gesture and the "GOTCHA!" headline implies that she's hit her target. Rosemary's last name is Lehmberg, but you won't find it on Drudge's page. She hit the big time as a first-name only person: Rosemary. "Rosemary's Revenge" sounds like the name of a sequel to the movie "Rosemary's Baby."
AND: "She talks kinda lazy/And people say she she's crazy/And her life's a mystery/Oh, but love grows where my Rosemary goes/And nobody knows like me..."
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86 comments:
"This will raise Perry's stature, right?"
No. It will be a diversion and will stick just enough to hurt him. It will help his fund raising though.
"No. It will be a diversion and will stick just enough to hurt him."
Rather spurious speculation. Time will tell which way this goes.
Please defend this DA. Please.
The Democratic Party looks — looks — like it has gone very far in the direction of appropriating legal processes, especially the criminal process, for political ends. This resonates with the IRS scandal, and so forth. It's not a good image. They're for big government, so they can't afford to look like they will abuse the power of big government.
I know they're going to think that it's Perry who abused the power of government and that's what he should be prosecuted for, but Perry used the political power of his elected office, the veto. If you don't like how he used it, you should fight him politically. To fight him with the criminal process, where your party has it's hands on the prosecutorial power, looks really wrong. Politically.
"Please defend this DA. Please."
Yeah, Axelrod is being politically smart.
Can the prosecutors office now be charged under the same statute, for using its powers politically??? Then I guess it will be turtles all the way down.
well, it won't lower it thats for sure, this is more likely to reflect poorly on the dem voters in Travis county. The democrats there have a very sordid history of abusing their authority to go after political opponents.
Ann Althouse said...
The Democratic Party looks — looks — like it has gone very far in the direction of appropriating legal processes, especially the criminal process, for political ends. This resonates with the IRS scandal, and so forth. It's not a good image. They're for big government, so they can't afford to look like they will abuse the power of big government.
To expand on this point, a large part of government's power is the idea of voluntary compliance with the law. By acting in a way that can be perceived as nakedly political and perverting the law for use as a political weapon threatens that underpinning of government. That was one thing that made the Civil rights movement (and before them the abolitionist movement) so effective was the perception that the laws being used against them were unjust and as such illegitimate.
I don't know. So far CNN has been covering it via reporters from Austin, treating it as completely legit.
They even said something about imagine trying to get a job with a felony indictment on your resume.
I see people on twitter trying to equate this to the GOP lawsuit against Obama. I guess they don't understand the difference between civil and criminal.
From Rosemary's apology in 2013 following her "incident."
"I have been fortunate to have the backing of both Republicans and Democrats. There is no room for partisanship in the District Attorney’s office."
I wonder how many of her Republican buddies back her in this non-partisan action?
If she's not drunk, she really has a problem.
The same kind of abuse of prosecutorial power got Tom Dalay out of Congress. It's not hard to imagine that this is going to scotch Perry's run for the GOP Presidential nomination. I suppose that's the purpose, not some merely local Texas thing. He's in his last year as Governor. The initial TV reports I've seen treat this as a serious charge, not a mere political dirty trick.
The only thing missing from the video was the usual: "Don't you know who I am" refrain.
If the Democrats want to hang their hat on this drunk, I would suggest the R's play this video over and over again, adding that Gov. Rick Perry wanted this woman fired .... and the DA did not.
I agree with your comment completely, Ann Althouse. This indictment lines up perfectly with the IRS scandal. Also, Perry vetoed, he didn't rewrite a statute or direct his administrators to get around the law. He didn't refuse to enforce a law.
This attack on him is more like the politically toxic impeachment that hardly any Republican is talking about, except it's worse!. Any comparison and Perry comes out ahead. Some will say, "But the House is suing the President, what's the difference?" The difference is that they didn't impeach him and they sure as hell didn't charge him with a crime...
I think this is a big win for Perry. If it isn't then this nation may very well be irredeemable. Sounds kind of dramatic, I know, but if a strong majority of the USA can't see through this, then what's next?
If it turns out like Scott Walker and Perry can defend himself articulately it will raise him up politically.
I just hope this hurts the Texas Democrats behind this. These people are disgusting.
I'm no fan of Perry as a presidential candidate but this looks like an attack for political reasons only. As you said, governments who abuse power in this way ought to be a concern, just don't count on the media to help play it fairly.
Ann Althouse said...
The Democratic Party looks — looks — like it has gone very far in the direction of appropriating legal processes, especially the criminal process, for political ends.
LOL
Yes.
It certainly "looks" that way.
If only there were a few data points which might indicate whether or not these "looks" were truly indicative of what the dems were/are/continue doing.
But lets not be hasty in our judgement or criticism of the left.
That would be "ugly".
Jailers routinely treat their prisoners in a humiliating manner. Rosemary Lehmberg must have seen thousands of defendants brought into court chained, handcuffed, dressed in jailhouse stripes or convict orange. I'll wager she never once failed to contest a defense motion about a defendant's humiliation at the hands of the County's minions.
Every prosecutor ought to experience being jailed overnight. Call it sensitivity training.
Powerline's Scott Johnson has penned a nice digest of the tribulations of Kay Bailey Hutchison at the hands of this same Travis County DA's office. It looks like that office is guilty of serial abuse of prosecutorial power.
I wonder which is more outrageous -- a DA's office run exclusively by Democrats for decades that has a clear history of politically-motivated prosecutions, or the citizens of Travis County who reliably vote in favor of such corruption?
Nice spin there Althouse, but the fact is Perry is an indicted criminal and his mug shot will soon be up!
When i first heard the news yesterday, i presumed that some prosecutor was being over literal about the language of the two statutes in question. But this morning, I googled them, and it isn't even close.
Abuse of official capacity requires a violation of (another) law or misuse of property.
Coercion of a public servant specifically exempts a government official like the governor.
The indictments will be thrown out in a matter of weeks, not months, and someone should be held accountable for this truly abuse of power.
Maybe the silver lining is that millions of people who would not have otherwise seen the video of Lehmberg will now see it. How is she still in office?
Weak attempt at counter-spin, Alex. Perry will use his mugshot on his campaign posters.
Millions of people who would not have otherwise seen the video of Lehmberg will now see it. How is she still in office?
The Travis County DA's office has been up to its neck in this kind of crap for decades. Travis County Democrats know all about it and give not a damn.
Alex....be careful what you wish for.
I hope he pulls a Tom Delay for his mugshot.
That was the best thing ever in politics.
Well Rosemary may be her first name, but this whole thing smells like Limburger Cheese--If You Know What I Mean And I Think You Do.
Oddly enough I once met a very decent fellow, now long deceased, with the last name Lehmberg. He grew up in the Austin-San Antonio area. If Rosemary Lehmberg is some relative of his, he's no doubt rolling over in his grave at her drunken vindictive behavior.
Perry to be frog-marched out of Austin!
FYI, the "Greg" she keeps asking for is Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton. He was notified immediately after she was arrested. He told jail staff to treat her like any other arrestee and rolled over and went back to sleep.
Of course, from a political standpoint there was no way in hell he was going near that jail that night. He has not been tainted by this mess in any way.
Sheriff Hamilton, by the way, is Democrat, but seems a little more conservative than the standard Travis County democrats. Travis County, oddly enough, participates in Secure Communities, and assists in the deportation of dozens of illegal aliens every month. Despite vocal pleas from outraged local liberals, he has announced that his is sticking with the program. He never draws any serious opposition in his reelection campaigns.
Daily Kos kidz are overjoyed!
Post Perry's mug shot next to Lehmberg's DUI mug shot and see who wins that optics contest.
BTW - Perry broke Texas law and he'll have to pay the piper.
Here's the statue Perry violated:
PENAL CODE TITLE 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 36.03. COERCION OF PUBLIC SERVANT OR VOTER. (a) A person commits an offense if by means of coercion he:
(1) influences or attempts to influence a public servant in a specific exercise of his official power or a specific performance of his official duty or influences or attempts to influence a public servant to violate the public servant's known legal duty;
The statute doesn't say you can coerce a public servant if they got convicted of a DWI. So Perry is TOAST.
Alex, keep reading (and then go away):
(c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a)(1) of this section that the person who influences or attempts to influence the public servant is a member of the governing body of a governmental entity, and that the action that influences or attempts to influence the public servant is an official action taken by the member of the governing body. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "official action" includes deliberations by the governing body of a governmental entity.
Alex:
It's the stuff after the semicolon that matters.
Please tell your boss to send the 'A' team back to troll.
Over at CNN the newsbabes are very concerned that this Governor abused his powers to hurt a woman who has already suffered a few days in jail and terrible embarassment. And it must be serious since the prison term for this is 99 years.
As I recall from the Wisconsin prosecutors method, the goal is to keep headlines coming every few weeks for 2 or 3 years about CRIMINAL process in a Criminal charge against a CRIMINAL Governor. Then let it go away.
So let's look at the so-called exception:
(c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a)(1) of this section that the person who influences or attempts to influence the public servant is a member of the governing body of a governmental entity, and that the action that influences or attempts to influence the public servant is an official action taken by the member of the governing body. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "official action" includes deliberations by the governing body of a governmental entity.
If that's the case, then this case should be immediately thrown out as soon as it hits a judge. However by then the damage is done - Perry is an abuser of power and his political career is over. Congrats Dems!
Also, even as to the bit of law Alex quoted, it is not clear how a resignation is an "official duty".
This is sad.
Ham sandwiches everywhere are scared.
BTW, do you really think it will fly with voters to say that "I can coerce public officials because I'm the goddamn governor"? It might be the letter of the law, but voters don't like bullies.
This case is absurdly transparent. I am a veteran prosecutor of 30 years, 20 as the elected DA (Democrat) in one of America's most liberal counties, and I am embarrassed for the profession by this indictment.
So it's a crime for a governor to threaten to refuse, and later to refuse, to turn seven million taxpayer dollars over to a "public integrity" task force run by a contentious drunk who refuses to resign when convicted and jailed for DUI? Really? And this after the Travis County Tom DeLay travesty?
The real tragedy here is the high level of tolerance displayed by Democrats for partisan abuse of the criminal process and for the continuation in office of a DA who violated the law she was elected to enforce.
Pathetic and embarrassing. But that's Austin by now.
No matter what it proves that Perry made powerful enemies and he's reaping the whirlwind of his wingnutism.
"If Republicans in Congress include XYZ provision in this bill, I will veto it."
O-o-o. O-o-o. Coercion! Threat! Indict! Indict!
Stupid, sick, evil Democrats.
The only thing missing from the video was the usual: "Don't you know who I am" refrain.
Nah, she busted that out as well in the booking video.
Nice spin there Althouse, but the fact is Perry is an indicted criminal and his mug shot will soon be up!
The Duke lacrosse men were indicted. They weren't criminals. She's Nifoning hard.
The statute doesn't say you can coerce a public servant if they got convicted of a DWI. So Perry is TOAST.
What statute limits his veto power?
He cannot fire her, nor did he. He just zeroed out the budget until she resigns.
BTW, do you really think it will fly with voters to say that "I can coerce public officials because I'm the goddamn governor"? It might be the letter of the law, but voters don't like bullies.
They hate bullies...but like drunk drivers?
"...specific exercise of his official power or a specific performance of his official duty..."
What action of Rosemary's did Perry demand that would qualify?
damikesc:
Well done.
stop deconstructing every comment i make. That's just rude.
Say, Alex, do you really think it was the drunken DA's official, or legal duty to stay in office after being convicted and jailed for drunk driving? (Alex at 2:09)
LOL.
I loved that pretend legal issue made out of saying an unexplained veto is OK, but having first told Rosemary the veto is coming because of her DWI arrest is abuse of office.
Nice try.
hombre - you're missing the point. Perry is under indictment for violating Texas law. Who are you compared to the Travis County DA?
Alex wrote: If that's the case, then this case should be immediately thrown out as soon as it hits a judge. However by then the damage is done - Perry is an abuser of power and his political career is over.
Perhaps Alex is ignorant of this aphorism attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, when you strike at a king, you must kill him.
Ineffectual prosecutions of popular politicians usually don't have the effect Alex hopes for. In fact it's usually the opposite. Scott Walker can attest to that. So can Alex's hero, William Jefferson Clinton.
Thoughtful Democrats aren't awash in mutual congratulations. They're hanging their heads in disgust at this display of own foot shooting.
Actually liberals over at Daily Kos are overjoyed.
Althouse said: They're for big government, so they can't afford to look like they will abuse the power of big government.
Sure they can. As long as =>50% are low information voters, it will work for them.
The figure 47% was mentioned in the last cycle. Add 4% for fraudulent votes, and you are there!
Actually liberals over at Daily Kos are overjoyed.
Quaestor specified thoughtful Democrats.
C'mon, folks. Am I the only one who thinks Alex is riffing on a certain Althouse commenter who was overjoyed at the charges against Walker?
Can somebody please get Alex a juice box?
What flavor do you prefer, Alex?
You get grape.
You keep thinking bad thoughts about me. You're a real bad man!
Fred Drinkwater:
Are you blaming conservatives for not being able to tell the difference between Leftists and parodies?
Have you no decency, sir?
Actually liberals over at Daily Kos are overjoyed.
Largely because they're unable to recognize that this could ALSO happen to them.
Many things are awesome until it's your ox being gored.
Unknown said...
"No. It will be a diversion and will stick just enough to hurt him."
Rather spurious speculation.
Spurious speculation? Spurious, meaning "not being what it purports to be; false or fake . . . "
How do you even have a spurious speculation? The whole point of speculation is that you don't know. It's a guess. Which is what the blogger lady asked for.
Now it may be a wrong guess. But hardly spurious.
damikesc said...
Actually liberals over at Daily Kos are overjoyed.
Largely because they're unable to recognize that this could ALSO happen to them.
Let's hope not. Perhaps adherence to principle and fair dealing might still be valued by the voters.
to violate the public servant's known legal duty
Oh, please Alex, DO explain how pressure on an elected law enforcement official to resign after conviction on a charge that involves moral turpitude is a violation of said official's know legal duty?
You keep thinking bad thoughts about me. You're a real bad man!
OK, OK. I get it. Off to the cornfield!
Does a county DA really have jurisdiction to bring these charges? Does that mean a Kern County prosecutor can bring abuse of power charges against Jerry Brown?
Jerry Brown and ham sandwiches are both members of the set of indictable entities.
I for one embrace the new face of the Democrsts.
Professor Volokh has an interesting analysis of the relevant Texas statutes in light of an appellate decision in another Texas circuit, although he asserts no expertise in Texas law. Given the legislative history and the decision in Hanson, this case will very possibly be determined on First Amendment grounds. Of course, by then, the governor will have mug shots to use in the effort to demonstrate how it is that criminalizing politics is right out of the librul political playbook.
Ann said it best: They're for big government, so they can't afford to look like they will abuse the power of big government.
- Krumhorn
Fred Drinkwater wrote: C'mon, folks. Am I the only one who thinks Alex is riffing on a certain Althouse commenter who was overjoyed at the charges against Walker?
Not anymore. I guess Althouse must have its garage mahal even when garage mahal is mysteriously absent. Off ice fishing with Crack, no doubt.
Who does she think she is? LBJ?
"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."
Alex is pretty clearly being sarcastic, just as he does with Walker related stuff.
Or maybe I mean ironic. Shoot, I don't know...
Roemary is reported to have told the office that drinks are on her. But no one should drive home who drinks more than 2 quarts of vodka.
Ann Althouse said...To fight him with the criminal process, where your party has it's hands on the prosecutorial power, looks really wrong. Politically.
I hope this is an intentional understatement from Prof. A--I would appreciate a clearer condemnation of this egregious misuse of the law from someone whose legal opinions we respect.
Also, I vote for a post discussing the "rule of law" and recent news. A Blogginheads btw Prof. A and Richard Epstein would actually get me to watch again.
"Actually liberals over at Daily Kos are overjoyed."
Alex, thanks for making Quaestor's point for him.
Nice spin there Althouse, but the fact is Perry is an indicted criminal and his mug shot will soon be up!"
Alex beclowns himself. Convicted criminal prosecutor indicts governor. Oh my! That's going to resonate well with non-moonbats.
"Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life," Rosemary.
----Alex, keep reading (and then go away):
(c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a)(1) of this section that the person who influences or attempts to influence…----
Thanks! Nice to have an adult to supervise the kids.
On the one hand, her behavior there is pretty execrable . . . on the other, why is this video even public? Did she take it to court so they had to show it in a trial to demonstrate that she was totally blotto and disorderly?
TRENDING NOW: #RosemaryLembergDrinkingSongs
Who are you compared to the Travis County DA?
I'm home, sober and with my family, that's who.
RoseMaryGinBlossom ran up a $300 tab for 1.75L vodka at an Austin drive-through liquor store last month. The only thing for which Rick Perry is guilty is not personally, forcibly remanding that poor, drunken wreck of a woman to a lockdown rehab facility so that they can dry her the ph*ck out.
Dems REALLY don't like resigning when they get caught doing embarrassing stuff. if she was smoking crack and then topped it off with some bath salts she'd demand to keep her job.
Birkel wrote:
Alex:
It's the stuff after the semicolon that matters.
Please tell your boss to send the 'A' team back to troll.
Which of course is why Alex ended the quote at the semicolon.
Perhaps Alex is ignorant of this aphorism attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, when you strike at a king, you must kill him.
Or as Omar (from the Wire would say) "when you come at the king, you best not miss"
If Perry violated Texas law and the Texas constitution, he should be impeached, not indicted, right? After all, he is white. White people can be impeached.
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