Sam Donaldson: Democratic House Takeover with Subpoenas a 'Good Thing'

October 24th, 2006 5:34 PM

Democratic control of the House, with the inevitable ensuing subpoenas and investigations, will be a "good thing," ABC News veteran Sam Donaldson declared on Sunday's This Week. During a roundtable discussion on how Republicans are trying to scare their base into voting by warning of how liberals will take over key committee slots if Democrats will the House, Donaldson predicted: "What we'll see is subpoenas, if they take control, and these subpoenas will delve into every nook and cranny of the Republican administration for the last six years." That prompted Cokie Roberts to point out: "Well, now you're doing the Republican talking points, because that is exactly what the administration is making people fear." Donaldson wondered: "Why do you think I'm saying it's a bad thing?" And he made clear: "I think it's probably a good thing."

Earlier, Donaldson presumed an impending Democratic victory: "The Republicans are in charge, but I don't think they will be after election day."

This item first appeared in Tuesday's MRC CyberAlert.

The exchange, on the October 22 This Week with George Stephanopoulos, about the desirability of a Democratic takeover and the subsequent investigations:

Sam Donaldson: "What we'll see is subpoenas, if they take control, and these subpoenas will delve into every nook and cranny of the Republican administration for the last six years."

Cokie Roberts: "Well, now you're doing the Republican talking points, because that is exactly what the administration is making people fear."

Donaldson: "Why do you think I'm saying it's a bad thing?"

Roberts: "Well no, I'm saying that is, I understand that-"

Donaldson: "I think it's probably a good thing."

Roberts: "I understand you think it's a good thing, but a lot of people don't think it's a good thing."