Bush's assertion of privilege is wildly misplaced—and could lead to another Watergate
Justice requires the appearance of justice. To command public confidence, the Justice Department—yes, like Caesar's wife—must be above suspicion. But suspicion has arisen that the White House intended to manipulate U.S. attorneys in some instances to harass Democrats with contrived voting fraud prosecutions or otherwise. The committees' interest in exposing misuse of the president's power to appoint and remove executive officials is compelling. As Justice Louis Brandies observed, sunshine is the best disinfectant.
