Unfortunately the hard truth is that even if by some miracle Obama was investigated for Logan Act violations, it would just be seen as a political ploy by the right.

covel on September 16, 2008 at 12:20 PM

Kinda like Troopergate?

Forgive me, but I think that well documented attempts by a US Senator to unilaterally negotiate his own views with foreign officials, in opposition to current US policy and in violation of the US Constitution and the Logan Act is a bit more pressing and valid than the investigation of a Governor for acting in full accordance with her authority by terminating an employee with multiple, documented accounts of insubordination and who was protecting a police officer that tazered his son.

WRITE YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND DEMAND AND INVESATIGATION NOW!

Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 12:37 PM

Logan Act- Gate Timeline:

June 16, 2008 (from MSNBC)-
Obama states:

“My concern is that the Bush administration–in a weakened state politically–ends up trying to rush an agreement that in some ways might be binding to the next administration, whether it was my administration or Sen. McCain’s administration,” Obama said. “The foreign minister agreed that the next administration should not be bound by an agreement that’s currently made.”

July 21, 2008 (from CNN)- Following his closed door meeting with the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Obama held a press conference to discuss the content of the meeting. Obama’s remarks were criticized by David Gergen:

“I think he leaves himself open to the charge tonight that he’s meddling, that this is not his role, that he can be the critic, but he’s not the negotiator. We have a president who does that. So, I think the underlying facts support him, but I think it would be a real mistake — and I think it was a mistake — to get into these conversations and let it be used politically.”

and Gloria Borger:

“You know, it’s very interesting, I do agree with David. And Candy, in her earlier piece, talked about walking the fine line between being this candidate and being presumptuous. And I think that he may just have crossed that, because, you know, it is a tradition. You don’t talk about these private conversations. And it’s not up to Barack Obama right now to negotiate troop withdrawals. It’s up to Barack Obama to be on a fact-finding mission, which is indeed what he has said he was on.”

Sept. 15, 2008-
- (from NY Post)- Amir Taheri quotes Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari:

“He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington”

- (from AFP)- Obama’s national security spokeswoman Wendy Morigi states:

In fact, Obama had told the Iraqis that they should not rush through a “Strategic Framework Agreement” governing the future of US forces until after President George W. Bush leaves office, she said.

“Senator Obama is the only candidate who will safely and responsibly end the war in Iraq and refocus our attention on the real threat: a resurgent Al-Qaeda and Taliban along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.”

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Text of the Logan Act (from Wiki):

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

Justice Sutherland wrote in reference to United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp.:

“[T]he President alone has the power to speak or listen as a representative of the nation. He makes treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate; but he alone negotiates. Into the field of negotiation the Senate cannot intrude, and Congress itself is powerless to invade it.”

and in his opinion to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations:

The President is the constitutional representative of the United States with regard to foreign nations. He manages our concerns with foreign nations, and must necessarily be most competent to determine when, how, and upon what subjects negotiation may be urged with the greatest prospect of success. For his conduct, he is responsible to the Constitution.

There is no longer any question on the legitimacy of this matter.

WRITE YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION

Damiano on September 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM