Can somebody please explain something to me?

[coalition_unwilling]

10. No argument from me re Nixon, Cheney and the dubious

justification for their respective claims of 'executive privilege.' And I think you are correct that, were positions reversed, we would be highly critical of such an assertion by a Republican executive.

That said, however, I think most citizens would still accept that there is a need for executive privilege. If a consultant cannot be confident that his or her advice will remain shielded behind the privilege, his or her advice may tend to be less frank and free and more couched in wishy-washy pablum which does not serve well policy makers and the public they ostensibly serve.