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Several people were arguing with me recently that the Bush administration's invocation of executive privilege is no different from that of prior administrations. While I think that claim is wishful conservative apologia on the face of it, here's some substantiation for my position:
Broader Privilege Claimed In Firings
White House Says Hill Can't Pursue Contempt Cases
By Dan Eggen and Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, July 20, 2007; Page A01
Bush administration officials unveiled a bold new assertion of executive authority yesterday in the dispute over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, saying that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges initiated by Congress against White House officials once the president has invoked executive privilege.
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— http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/19/AR2007071902625.html