“Tell me what’s the difference between lying and misleading Congress, in this context?” asked Rep. James Sensenbrenner.

The response from Attorney General Eric Holder:

“Well, if you want to have this legal conversation, it all has to do with your state of mind and whether or not you had the requisite intent to come up with something that would be considered perjury or a lie.”

Continuing, the man in charge of the U.S. Department of Justice, Holder said:

“The information that was provided by the Feb. 4th letter was gleaned by the people who drafted the letter after they interacted with people who, they thought, were in the best position to have the information.”

Don’t you just love political theater? 

While Bill Clinton may be smiling, those committed to the Founding Rule of Law are not.

Testifying before Congressional Committees responsible for looking into the federal executive branch orchestrated Fast and Furious scheme, Attorney General Holder’s responses convey:

At the least a verbal Jiu-Jitsu that typifies damage control; or,

More likely, legal maneuvering for what Holder and the administration realize may be coming next:

First in the United States House and, ultimately, in the U.S. Senate.

There’s more.

We learn that AG Holder — during another Congressional session, this time the House Judiciary Committee — chooses to ignite verbal fireworks with his response to a question from Rep. Darrell Issa, who heretofore has publicly deflected media focus on Holder’s culpability for the federal fiasco known as “Fast and Furious.”

Issa warned the Attorney General that he “could be held in contempt of Congress for his failure to cooperate with an investigation into the Fast and Furious program.”

Here’s a recap of the exchange:

Issa asked Holder “if he would comply with a subpoena request to release documents crucial to the probe.”

Holder said he “would consider the request, and respond as prior Attorneys General had.”

Issa responded by “comparing Holder to John Mitchell”

“Holder fired back by invoking the McCarthy-era line, “Have you no shame?”

To which Issa retorted, “Have YOU no shame?”

The truth is …

There is much shame to go around in Washington.

Arguably, most of the shame emanates from the federal executive.

Despite Holder’s spoken smoke and stonewalling, it is clear epicenter for the Fast and Furious scheme is ‘in and around’ what is supposed to be the Department of Justice.

Again, Holder’s verbal Jiu-Jitsu as well as his legal parsing and maneuvering before the Congress indicates that the AG and the administration realize what may be coming next — in the House and Senate.

In this case, that Constitutional remedy seems necessary. Unless, of course, Holder does the right and proper thing: resigns.

If Holder delays further, a nudge from Mr. Obama OR a deserved public push, ought to be forthcoming.

If neither Mr. Holder nor the president are willing to put their oaths of office to the U.S. Constitution above their own personal political agenda then the process of impeachment should begin immediately.

Richard is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via e-mail at RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.