Senator accuses White House of retaliation

Reuters ^ | July 22, 2003

[Gorilla44]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Democratic lawmaker accused the White House on Tuesday of trying to have him removed from the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee in retaliation for remarks critical of the administration over Iraq.

Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois charged that the White House had floated a bogus story that he had disclosed classified information regarding Iraq's suspected weapons of mass destruction.

"The White House allegations ... were, in fact, false, and inaccurate," Durbin said on the Senate floor.

"Sadly, what we have here is a continuing pattern by this White House," Durbin said. "If any member of this Senate ... questions this White House policy ... be prepared for the worst."

White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan, asked about Durbin's charges on Tuesday, said, "Nobody knows anything about it."

The flap stems from Durbin charging last Thursday that CIA Director George Tenet told the intelligence committee that a White House official had insisted on including a disputed allegation about Saddam Hussein's push for nuclear weapons in Bush's State of the Union speech last January.

The charge was described that day by White House spokesman Scott McClellan as "nonsense," and a U.S. official said it was another CIA official -- not Tenet -- who identified the White House official during a closed-door meeting.

Durbin said that the following day "the White House press operation started floating the story that there were senators in this chamber who were asking for my removal from the Senate Intelligence Committee because of the statements that I made."

"When pressed to what those statement were, the White House said Durbin has disclosed classified information and therefore should be removed from the Senate Intelligence Committee," Durbin said.

Durbin did not identify the reporters that he claims the White House tried to float the story to, but such no story was published.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, said on Tuesday it is critical that information obtained at closed-door meetings not leak out. But he said no one had asked him to seek the removal of Durbin from the committee.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, spoke in defense of Durbin, saying, "It's outrageous that anybody would question his integrity or question his efforts."

Daschle said, "I don't know who is trying to intimidate him, but I know that efforts are being made from various sources to undermine his credibility."

[ntnychik]

We have a continuing pattern of democrats crying that there is a continuing pattern on the part of Pres. Bush on a variety of issues. Part of the campaign manual, I'd say.

[Mfkmmof4]

Yawn!

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

"Mommy! Dose mean old men at da White House is pickin' on me!"

What a pathetic excuse for a political party.

[thoughtomator]

Out of Left field...

[chicagolady]

Listen folks I live in Chicago and I will tell you first hand Durbin is an ass!

[b4its2late]

Sen. Richard DTurbin

[Cyber Liberty]

Great story, if true.

Leak a secret, you're off the committee.

[Political Junkie Too]

Daschle said, "I don't know who is trying to intimidate him, but I know that efforts are being made from various sources to undermine his credibility."

An interesting choice of words. I wonder if this phrase blurted out because it is what is foremost on all the Democrats' minds regarding Bush. They are so focused on undermining Bush's credibility that it's all they can see right now.

-PJ

[BlessedByLiberty]

Sniff, sniff...poor little LeakyLeahy Wannabe. Does he really believe that running out and talking to the press, characterizing sensitive intelligence matters for the press isn't worthy of dismissal?

[squidly]

Leak a secret, you're off the committee.

That's the way it should be. SIC meetings are closed door for a reason.

[swheats]

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, spoke in defense of Durbin, saying, "It's outrageous that anybody would question his integrity or question his efforts." Daschle said, "I don't know who is trying to intimidate him, but I know that efforts are being made from various sources to undermine his credibility."

No I think Durbin's been on top of that all by himself.

[Dick Vomer]

[gov_bean_ counter]

Another Clinton tactic. Plant a false story with a friendly reporter then express faux outrage at the accusation.

[PhiKapMom]

I agree with you -- planted story!

Wouldn't you think the RATs would come up with something new?

[Mo1]

"When pressed to what those statement were, the White House said Durbin has disclosed classified information and therefore should be removed from the Senate Intelligence Committee," Durbin said.

Durbin did not identify the reporters that he claims the White House tried to float the story to, but such no story was published.

What in the heck is this idiot talking about and why does this remind my of the Estrada filibuster?

[Mo1]

Check this one out

[BlessedByLiberty]

I think you're right - they will really need a lot of trial balloons right now; they have to get the dead Husseins off of the front page. President Bush must not be allowed to have credit for anything.

We should prepare ourselves from truly remarkable accusations over the next few weeks.

Get the popcorn ready because we're in for some hysterical entertainment - Hissy Matthews is already on the stage.

[PISANO]

Exactly..........leak information from a classified briefing that is UNTRUE........slamming GW for lying........then drum up a ficticious reporter that 'leaks' to you that GW wants you removed from the committee for leaking intelligence........have the White House deny it and Wahhlah.......you charge GW with a pattern of deceit on the Senate floor and get national attention. The gimmies are masters at this game!

What are we doing to counter this? Nothing except getting ready to FIRE Rep. Thomas as committee chairman on the HW&M committee for calling the capitol police after being called a C..KS..K.R by a gimmie. The GOP is just plain clueless conducting political warfare in the trenches.

[smoothsailing]

Durbin, what a putz.

He never makes any sense

Durbin thinks everything sucks

Why would anyone in their right mind vote for a man with such a negative attitude?

Come on Illonusions! Dump the creep.