WH responds to email controversy

Posted: Friday, April 13, 2007 12:05 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino says that so far in its review, the White House has found "no basis to conclude any improper intent" in the use of Republican Party email accounts that critics say allow staffers to circumvent White House record-keeping requirements. Perino says she "could not rule out" that as many as 5 million emails are missing but stressed the White House does not know the extent of what maybe lost. Twenty-two current White House staffers hold RNC email accounts -- 50 during the course of the two terms. About 1,000 people work for the Executive Office of the President. All White House official records are to be preserved indefinitely under the Presidential Records Act

Regarding Karl Rove -- who is in Portland, OR today doing fundraising -- the White House says that in 2004, his email accounts at the RNC were exempted from the RNC's practice of an automatic 30-day purge that applies to other users. In January 2006, Rove's ability to use a "double delete function" was removed so he could no longer manually delete and then empty his delete file. Officials say this applied only to Rove as far as they know now. Officials could not explain why or what prompted this.

The White House says an internal review is underway, and it has reached out to -- but not yet hired -- outside computer forensic experts to seek their expertise to determine what may be retrievable on servers. "Resources are being dedicated to resolve this quickly." Responding to charges from Democrats who claim the White House is "stonewalling", Perino acknowledges the "screw-up" has put them in "an uncomfortable position to be in." But she says the White House disclosing its mistakes on email is an effort to be fully forthcoming.

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Comments

It's bad enough being lied to, but it really torques my jaws when someone thinks I'm stupid enough to believe a weak, stupid and patently unbelievable lie.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:13 PM)

I didn't know that Omerta was a White House vow as well. Why don't we just put Tony Soprano on the ticket next year and stop pretending there is no corruption in the White House.

Nick A, IL (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:17 PM)

I'm glad they've decided they've done nothing wrong. Ken Lay decided that Ken Lay did nothing wrong, but the courts did not agree. Sorry WH, declaring yourself innocent by way of self-investigation no longer flies.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:21 PM)

"Deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino says that so far in its review, the White House has found "no basis to conclude any improper intent" in the use of Republican Party email accounts " ...I'll bet that was one smack-down thorogh investigation, too. BushCo is really big on self investigation and self regulation. Take "Blue Skies," where polluters look into their hearts to decide if they are even polluting at all, or "Choose Your Own Toxicity Level" for mining companies to set mercury levels without a bunch of psudo-science like chemistry getting in the way, so it undermine the "my word is my bond" stake they have in this and would be disengenuous and damaging their own policy ideology to not perform at least as thorough an investigation as Hillary would. Case closed. GWB administration completely trust worthy and solid stewards of our nation's future.

Lee in MV (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:22 PM)

More lies and smoke screens. When are the American people going to wise up ad get these jackasses out of office and in to prison?

Charles, Evanston IL (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:27 PM)

How could acknowledging something that happened 2 years ago be construed as forth coming? The buck stops here Dubya!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:30 PM)

"With every step you make, every breath you take, I'll be watchin' you"-I'll Be Watchin' You-Sting

Still Crazy After All Theae Years (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:31 PM)

OF COURSE the emails can be retrieved, another WH lie/stall. The press secretary is always the last to know; that way she can maintain her innocence while telling whoppers. This should have been a non-story, but for the "rapid response" hubris and complete political control of governance in the Bush Administration, plus the need for a "new watergate" in Congress and the media. They created this monster, it's now eating all of them alive and nothing is getting done toward solving real problems in the country. This administration has abdicated its responsibility to govern; or perhaps, did not understand what its responsibility was. We are not safer at home or influential abroad.The Constitution has not been preserved or protected or defended. For that reason alone, impeachment should come off the back burner for thoughtful Americans.

rodeo, ellensburg, wa (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:55 PM)

What's really scary about the search for missing emails, is that the WH is hiring out-side forensic computer experts....I bet they're in the employ of Halliburton.

William in Houston (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 12:56 PM)

Dana Perino, the female Ron Ziegler.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:10 PM)

Somebody outside of the WH had better take over and monitor the forensic work on those servers. Otherwise it will be another, "oopsy-daisy, we just accidentally destroyed the memory cards from those servers. Sorry. But aren't we nice and forthcoming about it?"

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:10 PM)

Surely the NSA would have copies of all the emails - I'm sure they have copies of all MY email.

Mike, Lincoln Montana (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:21 PM)

Can't wait for the democrat witch hunters to find emails from the 04 election containing jokes about Kerry and others then declare that a crime.

Just passing thru Jonestown (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:43 PM)

Rove is only one end of those emails. The sender / receiver also has a copy, along with the associated servers.

I'm just sayin'... (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:51 PM)

Still Crazy...I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I have to correct you...I believe the title of the song is "Every Breath You Take" and it technically was "The Police" (Sting was the lead singer of course). Nevertheless, you're wealth of modern music knowledge has been most impressive! :)

Frank "Grimey" Grimes (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:52 PM)

Is anyone surprised that the Bush Administration is being arrogant and dishonest yet again? This has been a pattern of behavior since 2000 and, if anything, has gotten worse since then...not better. I for one hate W The Hypocrite and his pack of jackals. And to think it's more than 600 days before we purge this absolutely horrible presidency!

John Blackmore, Sidney, Nebraska (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:55 PM)

"the use of Republican Party email accounts that critics say allow staffers to circumvent White House record-keeping requirements." If its "required" that White House employee email be preserved, than how is it even possible staffers can access the RNC email system at work? Wouldn't the IT dept make sure they couldn't send email any other way except through the government account? It seems to me that security at the White House should be at least as rigorous as it is in the business world. I can't believe the lack of security controls at that level of the government. What if someone were selling state secrets? Geesh.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 1:59 PM)

After watching Dana Perino day after day, does anyone else get the impression that even she doesn't believe this crap?

R.Merrell (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:05 PM)

So what on earth has to happen before people stop supporting this bunch of thieves? I know people don't want to believe that an American presidential administration could be this corrupt, but guess what folks, this bunch is. And denial doesn't change that.

JJ in NJ (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:12 PM)

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHALLIBURTON! the dreaded HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHALLIBURTON is back, devouring E-mails. Run Away! run away!

jtb (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:14 PM)

Do any of you ever make valid points? Its the same old crap from the left, all wind and no facts. Its like being in a hen house, bock bock bock, and nothing but a bunch of poop laying around.

! (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:15 PM)

I'll bet the exchanges deleted in the 18 1/2 minute gap will be found with the e-mails. I can;t wait for that info.

Dave, Sun City, AZ (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:23 PM)

Officials could not explain why Rove's double delete capability was removed. Gee, maybe because he had been abusing it? Or perhaps they were just concerned that he would abuse it? Either way, this whole thing stinks. Congress needs to say "thanks but no thanks" on the WH forensic people, and hire independent computer gurus to come in and recover what can be recovered. Of course, that would never be allowed by the Administration; I'm sure it would violate national security, executive privilege, the Fifth Amendment and anything else they could think up.

Carrie, NW Iowa (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:27 PM)

!, you are what I would call a seagull poster. You fly in, make a lot of noise, crap all over everything, and then leave.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:40 PM)

Frank,gonna dance the night away, but I believe with every step I take I know what's going on.And under the boardwalk, I will always remember whats her name.

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:46 PM)

Sorry, !, post #8 is from a registered Republican, Republican Congressman (Doc Hastings) Past PCO, kids in harm's way, old enough to remember Watergate. I even voted for Bush (the first time) Tired of spin from everywhere, just asking for a little thoughtful dialogue.... used to be that folks listened to each other, now they just scream teasers from cable news.

rodeo, ellensburg, wa (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:48 PM)

Dear !; Fact, emails from the Abramoff investigation reveal that the RNC-based email system was being used to keep White House business off the WH server so that the details would not be subject to inspection. Fact, the Presidential Records Act REQUIRES that ALL email pertaining to White House business be preserved in perpetuity. Fact, lack of compliance with political goals was part of the finding that the fired US Attorneys were underperforming. Fact, that nugget could contain Obstruction of Justice charges and at least is a violation of the Hatch Act's prohibitions against using official government business to gain political advantage for one party over the other. How's that for some valid points?

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:56 PM)

Let's take it one by one today. I am sure I will be told this is from "liberal" news, but here goes. . . . 1)White house just can't figure out where the pertinant e-mails regarding the firing of the attorneys went. I am sure it was a liberals fault they disappeared. . wait, I know. . . it was Bill Clintons fault. 2)40 MILLION DOLLARS in food is rotten because FEMA doesn't have a clue. Yeah George, the whole Katrina problem was Brown-y's fault, not the fault of an incompetant administration. Why wouldn't you be able to leave food in the back of semi's for years and have it stay good. and 3) I did not have sexual relations with that woman. . . . Who said it??? Clinton you say. . . NOPE, Mr. Harlan Ullman, Mr. Shock and awe has been named for "frequenting" a D.C. Madame. HMMMMMMM Crow tastes sweet doesn't it.

Susan, Nebraska (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:06 PM)

Dana Perino's use of the phrase "..improper intent" is clearly designed to deflect any conerns about criminal intent on the part of WH staffers. I agree with Rodeo that this entire episode distracts from addressing the immediate and long-term issues facing the nation. Jowever, from a theater of the absurd perspective, it is rather interesting and pathetic.

Paul S, Oak Harbor, WA (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:09 PM)

"Well isn't that Special!" -Church Lady.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:15 PM)

RMerrell- I've also felt that Ms. Dana is only parroting what she's been told to say, and that she appears to be very uncomfortable with the questions. There appears to be no conviction behind her tap dancing. Other than his health setback, don't you know Tony Snow is glad he hit the road after Gonzales-Gate hit. Think he saw more at the end of the tunnel? Actually, I'm waiting for them to say that some of the e-mails were sent via "laptops", and that they have disappeared as the FBI laptops that were "stolen" not long ago. That way there would be no harddrives to audit. Guess they just haven't thought of that excuse yet.

M.E., Albany, Ga. (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:21 PM)

I wonder if Senator Leahy and the committee need to execute some kind of "search warrant" to get that data. I agree the WH can't be trusted to use their IT people.

Tom Y MN (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:23 PM)

Unbelievable. People are going to look back, as soon as 10 years from now, and look at the whole lot of politicians, the Bush administration and the media, and they're going to think, "How did all of this happen with no consequences? How did this all just slide by?" One thing after another with Bush, and Congress and the media do very little, if anything, about it. Congress does what it thinks is politically popular, which is usually nothing, and the media waits for a press conference and reports it as "news." Pathetic, on all sides. How has this man not been impeached? Sad days to be an American. Shameful, really.

Patrick, Minneapolis (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:29 PM)

!! I have been reading the blogs from today, and I notice you have been on many of the different ones spewing the same crap. So I turn it back on you Mr. !!, do you ever make a point, or just go place to place insulting people???

Susan, Nebraska (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:30 PM)

Amy-Heh.Deja Vu all over again.The loss of 'State secrets'as well as hundreds of lost e-mails and over 900 'lost'FBI files,and the erasure of key evidence from the Branch Davidian raid by FBI/BATF we were already regaled with under the last administration.Democrats didnt make a big deal over it,indeed,defended it in nearly the same terms being used by Perino.[Paul Begala called the loss of the e-mails 'an innocent mistake',although their disappearence was tied to the Chinese/DNC fundraising scandal as well as the DNC/TEAMSTERS scandal that occurred at about the same time.Thus,instead of top administration officials being fingered in these scandals,a handful of DNC spearcarriers fell on their swords to protect the administration paying fines and doing small-time at a federal lockup.Again,this deal is nothing we have not seen before,and it is nothing that the MSM made a big deal over when it was a Democrat in the WH.This too shall pass.

Lee Holmes (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:44 PM)

It seems to be 'Show Off Day" at FR. When the Ultra-Conservatives sit in front of their PC's, naked, slathered with Log Cabin Syrup, and drooling over their signed photos of Dubya and the White House Staff. Then, out comes little tricks they learned at the "Nixon School of Inanity". WWPD? What Would Plumbers Do?

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:45 PM)

I agree with what Lee in MV noted. Dana Perino has to have known what Karl Rove was up to, how can you you be the press secretary and be so blind to this blantant misuse of email and the publics time http://www.iwantmyess.com/?p=198 jtb, yeah I'm feeling the "HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHALLIBURTON" ness of this tech trashing email scandal.

Marilee Veniegas (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:51 PM)

Patrick, I wholeheartedly agree with you. If anyone is not completely and utterly appalled at the antics used by the Bush Admin since inception in 2001, they are not paying attention (apathetic) or are supporting this behavior as acceptable (everyone does it, so it must be correct... we have to believe our President, because he's our President and he's a Christian). We are not living in times as bad as they were during the war in Vietnam, but the Bush Admin has been entirely too secretive and has not been truthful when challenged. I cannot believe the loss of email was done innocently. They knew exactly what they were doing when they used the RNC laptops and/or Blackberries with RNC email ids. They weren't using them for a personal reason, as one can get a free email id from any one of a dozen or more sources. They wanted the RNC to host their email so they could completely control their content and keep it as private as possible. Why, you may ask?? Good question. I suggest they had plans to perform govt. business with these email ids and hardware, so as to avoid govt. auditing and monitoring. Of course, with court orders, the NSA can gather anyone's email, even if it is illegal to store it, en masse. We have to petition our Congress to prosecute this to the fullest extent of the law. The Bush clan has over-stepped their authority and trampled our laws and Constitution so many times, these documents appear to be toilet paper. It REALLY IS a sad day tp be an American. We have to change it in 2008 and then continue to be vigilant, as no one will stand up for what is right if we don't do it first. We, the people...

Nick, Ohio (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:59 PM)

"How Long Has This Been Going On"-Van Morrison

Still Crazy After All These years (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:01 PM)

"How Long Has This Been Going On"-Van Morrison

Still Crazy After All These years (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:03 PM)

How many of you losers are teacher's union members ignoring the kids while you spread your conspiracy theories? Kids being forced to watch Al Gore's film AGAIN?

Just passing thru Jonestown (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:10 PM)

Another song might also be appropriate for my take on the whole GWB, Jr. crew: "Enough is Enough" as recorded by Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand c. 1980. Although a registered Republican, I didn't vote for GWB, Jr. in either election. I've had quite enough. I wonder if anyone in the current administration can spell "impeachment"?

John, Rehoboth Beach, DE (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:34 PM)

It should not be a war between republicans and democrats supporters. There is no place for dishonesty and corruption in the highest office or even in the lowest offices of our country. When people see no evil, hear no evil or speak no evil because they are blindly following their leader, then we might as well give up our freedoms. Our founding fathers looked the British in the eye and stated no more. Even so, there were many a colonists, who were Tories and would do nothing to fly in the face of the king. Even when others were being shot down in the streets of Boston, jailed for disobedience and held under suspicion of thought crimes. Their homes invaded, searched and many forced to quarter soldiers. We have already booted one King George from this land. So it should not manner what political religion one follows, for if we allow dishonesty to flourish, corruption to prosper and despots to rule then we have lost the very reason America was founded. So every time e-mails are missing, a file is lost and we can find no wrong doing in our leaders, and we take their word, we are turning a blind eye to their misdeeds. Just trust me should not work any more. The proof of when a tree falls in the woods disappears into the wind if no one sees it or hears it. Never less, the results can be seen on the ground. We can see the results, we know there was reason the justices were fired, but we can not prove Mr. Rove was directly involved, or there were political motivations of Mr. Rowe because he deleted e-mails. Can we assume intent of the deletions or just say we have no proof and accept at face value that Mr. Rowe is innocent of unintended motivations. I think that seeing the tree on the ground is proof that it fell.

TEC Spring TX (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:46 PM)

Remember when John Kerry responded off camera during the last presidential campaign and wouldn't apologize for it, that "these guys are the most crooked, lying group I've ever seen"? Well...

Betty Ruff Athens, GA (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:51 PM)

Steve Turner, perhaps the plumbers need a can of Drano

Desmond (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:03 PM)

Dana Perino-the female Joe Isuzu.

Aimee, Pittsburgh,Pa (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:05 PM)

Soon after Clinton lawyer Vince Foster committed suicide under mysterious circumstances, his office was cleared out. Along with his office went the Whitewater billing records and several key pieces of evidence. Evidence suggests that Clinton associate Bernard Nussbaum purposely delayed access to the office to investigators. Not to mention the mysterious suicide in which there is some hint that evidence was tampered with. Witnesses have testified they saw Clinton aides clearing the supposedly sealed office. Years after they had disappeared from Vince fosters office, subpoenaed Whitewater billing records appeared in the White House. In January of 1996 an aide stumbled across them sitting on a table in the White House. They couldn't have been sitting their all these years unnoticed. Hillary's finger prints were on them.

Rick, Germany (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:31 PM)

Karl Rove now says that he assumed that the e-mails were saved. "Assumption is the mother of all F@#*ups." Eric Begosian Under Siege 2 Dark Territory

Dave, Sun City, AZ (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:34 PM)

Please people; Karl Christian Rove was fired by Bush's father, former President George Herbert Walker's campaign for his unethical behavior. Now that the Republican party no longer controls Congress, it's the begining of the end of this behavior.

Fred Michaels, New York, NY (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:47 PM)

I'm sorry, I think I am lost. I was looking for a news outlet and somehow I have stumbled into conspiracytheory.com. So far in most of these messages I have seen the same thing, Bush is a liar, liar pants on fire. The truth of the matter is, it does not matter why he fired the prosecuters because he has the executive right to fire them for any reason he wants to. Would it be unethical if he fired them because they were investigating a Republican pal? Of course it would, however, if he indeed did that don't you think one of the fired prosecuters or the media would be able to find that out based on public record. Instead of crying over 8 fired prosecuters why don't you write your Senators and Represenatives and ask them to actually get some work done. We have things that need to get done like immigration reform, balancing the budget, figuring out what to do with Medicare/Social Security, finishing up the war in Iraq, educating our children, revamping the tax code. At the rate Washington is going, none of them are going to be re-elected because they don't get any work done. As far as fired prosecuters go, this is a waste of time, money and deserves no descent debate.

Bob, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 6:03 PM)

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