Political Skullduggery

Sara Taylor is scheduled for her turn in the barrel today.

Sara Taylor, the former White House political director, has agreed to answer some questions as a "willing and cooperative private citizen," during testimony about the United States attorney firings last year when she appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee later today.

But, as a former presidential adviser, she will also honor the president's invocation of executive privilege to keep quiet about "White House consideration, deliberations, or communications, whether internal or external, relating to the possible dismissal or appointment of United States attorneys," according to a written copy of her opening statement provided by her lawyer's office. Those parameters were set forth in a letter to Ms. Taylor's attorney, W. Neil Eggleston, from the White House counsel, Fred F. Fielding.

Ms. Taylor acknowledges in the statement that differences may emerge about what falls under Mr. Fielding's parameters and that, "This may be frustrating to you and me." ...

Under Mr. Fielding's guidance Ms. Taylor would not be able to answer the key questions expected from the committee about the firings and the involvement of Mr. Bush’s political team and his top strategist, Karl Rove.

In her written testimony Ms. Taylor said she would not take it upon herself to disobey the president's request during today's hearing but said she would defer to the courts if it came to that in the future.

"While I may be unable to answer certain questions today," Ms. Taylor's opening statement reads, "I will answer those questions if the courts rule that this Committee's need for the information outweighs the president's assertion of executive privilege."