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TRANSITION WATCH

November 13, 2008

A yearslong legal dispute between the White House and Congress over testimony by President George W. Bush's aides probably will be resolved under the incoming Obama administration, former government lawyers from both political parties agreed yesterday. At issue is whether the Democratic-led Congress can force top Bush aide Joshua Bolten and former aide Harriet Miers to testify in front of lawmakers or hand over documents about the 2006 firings of nine U.S. attorneys. Democrats say the firings, which led to the resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales last year, were politically motivated. Additionally, the lawyers said Obama probably will seek to declassify more Justice Department legal memos than did the outgoing GOP administration.

The national Republican Party wants to make it easier to raise and spend political money and plans to sue the Federal Election Commission to alter a six-year-old law written by John McCain, the defeated Republican presidential candidate. Republican National Committee chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan said Wednesday that he wants the courts to eliminate restrictions on coordinated spending by national parties and federal candidates and to permit the national organizations to raise money for state parties. Duncan said he planned to file suits today in federal courts in Washington, D.C. and in Louisiana.

The Democratic Party faces a smooth transition as Obama essentially chooses the next national chairperson whose initial task will be retiring a $15-million debt. A fight is ensuing on the Republican side as the losing party searches for a new identity - and perhaps a new leader. Current Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean plans to step down when his four-year term expires in January; he had long vowed to serve only one term. His GOP counterpart, Mike Duncan, has indicated he's considering competing for a second two-year term though several Republicans are maneuvering to challenge him. Mentioned as possible candidates for the DNC job are Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, but they also may be under consideration for Obama administration positions. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said Wednesday he's not interested in the DNC job.