On this side we’ve got the administration citing executive privilige and seperation of powers to maintain the privacy of who advised the Vice President and his energy task force. I read this as: “Screw off, it’s our party and we’ll invite whom we want!”
In the other corner we’ve got the Sierra Club (et al) arguing that having private citizens with a vested (read: money) interest on such a task force is questionable and should be made public. I read this as: “Screw you right back! If they get to influence it WE want to influence it!”
So how will the Supreme Court decide? Today’s Washington Post says to expect a ruling by July of this year. If they rule against the administration will the timing impact the election?
I think they will rule just like they did on the Hillary Clinton health meetings. They will not have to identify the administration people that were there but they will the people from outside the administration.
This is actually an issue I track, and I am confused as to how they will rule. I suspect they will rule on the side of the Administration on this one. I am fairly certain, however, that whatever they rule it will not change one mind whatsoever. If the SDMB is even close to a microcosm of the US electorate, it’s clear that this election is so heavily polarized that pretty much nothing will change the outcome at this point. It’s going to be a matter of which side can get the most people to go to the polls.
I hope they will rule that Cheney must disclose the information. It is, afterall, public policy. And the public should know who’s involved. However, I agree with Una. I don’t think it will affect the election either way.
I don’t know if it has the gravitas to affect the election or not, but it is a lose/lose proposition for the White House. If they win the decision, they come off as secretive, and if they lose, our suspicions about Cheney will be confirmed. Either way, Bush takes a hit. Perhaps not enough to change the outcome, but the constant drip, drip, drip of all these revelations and the administration’s imperious responses will contribute to their downfall.