Siegelman to Democrats: Grow a Spine

Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman has repeatedly criticized Republicans in the Bush Administration for politicizing the United States Justice Department.

But yesterday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Siegelman criticized Democrats who allowed it to happen.

In asking Democrats to be tough enough to hold wrongdoers accountable, Siegelman presented a brief history lesson:

"Democrats didn't pursue Watergate when Carter came in. They didn't pursue Iran-Contra when Clinton came in, and they are not going to pursue this when Obama comes in," Siegelman said. "Democrats are going to say, `Listen guys, we have a positive agenda, we want to move forward, we want to solve the problems of this country and we don't need to get bogged down in this kind of stuff.'"

Some Democrats have expressed concern that Karl Rove and others might get away with their misdeeds if Republican John McCain is elected president in November. But Siegelman said Rove and others might get a "Get Out of Jail Free" card if Democrat Barack Obama is elected, too.

"It's this let bygones be bygones view that is wrong and why this week is so critical, the timing so important in trying to reach as many members of Congress as I can reach," Siegelman said.