And how can an appointed official publically express a partisan opinion that determines his noncompliance?
Now, if the Republicans take over Congress, all bets are off. Of course, they did so in 1994 and Slick Willie pretty much sandbagged them up until the Monica affair.
This regime is essentially lawless. The IRS chief could have stood up, pointed his finger around the hearing room, shouted “You guys are audited!” and stormed out. What would their recourse be?
It’s true, this regime is so lawless that it’s terrifying, even to people who are theoretically powerful themselves. Actually, I’d suspect there are probably even some Dems who are disturbed by this affair...and are simply too scared to say anything. Obama may be soft on terrorists and enemies of the US, but he’s ruthless against his political opponents.
It would be wonderful if Boehner & Co. would do something concrete, even if it had no chance of succeeding, because what people need to see right now is some kind of resistance and at least an attempt to fight back and respond to what are essentially the ominous taunts of a dictator.