[GoGophers]

I do know that if they have legitimate and urgent concerns with our intellegence collection that would require an independent investigation, and they're deliberately delaying this probe so they can use it as a tool to win an election, they're engaged in far more than simple partisanship.

They are planning for the probe to start early next year, which is probably the earliest possible start date. If they wanted to influence the election, then they would have the probe next fall.

[Steel Wolf]

We can pull the trigger on an independent investigation at any time-- but we can only do so once. The best time to do so will probably be next year either: i

This is an admission that they are sitting on information. They are not constrained with waiting until next year, they are choosing to.

A) After we have already released our additional views on an interim report -- thereby providing as many as three opportunities to make our case to the public:

1) additional views on the interim report; 2) announcement of our independent investigation; and 3) additional views on the final investigation; or

This is, in so many words, an admission that the report and subsequent investigation are a mere political tools. A three pronged attack designed to sway public opinion.

B) Once we identify solid leads the majority does not want to pursue. We could attract more coverage and have greater credibility in that context than one in which we simply launch an independent investigation based on principled but vague notions regarding the "use" of intelligence.

This one doesn't even require any analysis. It is blantant and reprehensible.