Well Duh! Rove Protected by Executive Privilege

The assertion of executive privilege for Karl Rove was asserted by White House Counsel Fred Fielding yesterday in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Like we didn't see that coming.

Dan Froomkin was said the letter was "nevertheless surprising in its breadth."

"Based upon the advice of the Department of Justice, the President . . . has requested that I advise and inform you that Mr. Rove, as an immediate presidential advisor, is immune from compelled congressional testimony about matters that arose during his tenure and that relate to his official duties in that capacity. Accordingly, Mr. Rove is not required to appear in response to the Judiciary Committee subpoena to testify about such matters, and he has been directed not to appear."

Of course, Senator Idiot Leahy will no doubt bluster about the obstructionism of the White House and the secrecy of the Bush Administration. But even if a Democrat inhabited the White House, this is the right decision and the right reasons.