Kyl Blasts Dems on Intelligence Memo

NRO's The Corner ^ | 11/6/03 | John Kyl

[William McKinley]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), a member of the Senate leadership, today issued the following statement one day after Senate Democrats' refused to repudiate a staff memo outlining a strategy to use a nonpartisan Intelligence Committee investigation for political attacks next year against President Bush.

The Senator called on Democrat leaders to publicly denounce the strategy. He also suggested that if staff members deserved the blame for drafting the memo, they should be fired.

"First, Democrats sought to blame an unnamed staffer for this memo, saying it had never been approved by any Senators. Next they tried to argue the memo's merits without accepting responsibility for it. Then, on CNN, Senator Rockefeller attributed it to his three staffers but claimed it was just one 'option' or 'idea' adding, 'I disavow nothing.'

"Further failing to accept responsibility, Democrats had the audacity to suggest the Senate investigate how these attack plans might have been obtained - the equivalent of offenders blaming the cops because they got caught. This effort at spin control is patently absurd in any event, since by Senator Rockefeller's own admission, this strategy memo was not an official committee document and certainly contained no intelligence information.

"Another Democrat explanation is that they simply are frustrated that the administration has not provided as much intelligence information to the committee as they have demanded. But what makes them think they would get more information by signaling in advance that they intend to use the information politically or that they've already begun to do so? The White House could be excused for taking a dim view of the Democrats' demands.

"All of the Democrats' artful dodges are attempts to obscure what must be the central questions in examining this serious matter. Does the Democrat leadership repudiate this strategy or does it embrace it? Does the Democrat Party intend to use what is supposed to be a nonpartisan intelligence investigation as a political weapon or doesn't it? Will Senate Democrats demand accountability for the inappropriate partisan use of the Intelligence Committee or won't they?

"The American people have a right to hear the answers to these questions. I, for one, am not satisfied with what I've heard so far."

[abnegation]

I saw Kyle earlier this a.m. on Fox. He needs to do more than just make lip service regarding this treason. I have called my Senators, but neither are on this committee. However, they have been receiving more calls on this issue than they have on any other in a long time. Perhaps if we all keep calling, some wimpy Repubs will suddenly grow a spine.

[Indy Pendance]

It has to be Bush's fault.

[Judith Anne]

You're very welcome. Way to go--could you please look up the Rockefeller Must Resign thread and post this letter over there?

I also emailed Sean Hannity.

[MamaLucci]

Senator Kyl is indeed a breath of fresh air in a polluted Senate.
There are too few admirable men or women from either party, in that body, IMHO.

[mrtysmm]

My sympathies....I know how you feel....I'm from NY too!

[Matchett-PI]

"No one who refuses to disavow this hyperpartisan memo qualifies for that committee."

Of course, THAT is the bottom line point that the Republicans are determined to get the American people to agree with.

It effectively cuts the DemocRAT strategy off at the knees. I love it! Hahahahaha

#48 and #50

[mrtysmm]

Why is it that the Dems can call for independant council for the slightest thing....but we are too chIcken to even suggest an inquiry with some teeth??? We need to get some backbone....this is a serious matter!

[jmstein7]

" the equivalent of offenders blaming the cops because they got caught"

This is the key

[jmstein7]

Do something about the memo HERE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1015696/posts

[gipper81]

I am glad Kyl woke up and said something too. However, this won't last. When has it ever?

I still haven't forgiven Kyl for his Crime Bill yes vote!

[Don Corleone]

senator@rockefeller.senate.gove

Delete the "e" in gove

[Judith Anne]

Thanks! I missed that, so here's the corrected address:

senator@rockefeller.senate.gov

I appreciate your correction, Don Corleone. ;-D

[InterceptPoint]

Mail your Senator. Show your outrage.

MEMOGATE.
MEMOGATE.
MEMOGATE.
MEMOGATE.

[mathluv]

These links help you contact any congressman.

http://congress.org/congressorg/home/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[mattdono]

Interestingly (though not surprisingly), I haven't heard this story surface on any of the local or national radio news reports that are interspersed between my listen day.

Once again, in order to have a free republic, we need Free Republic! (Just another reason to make a monthly donation to Free Republic

Let the FREEPING commence! (yeah, I know that it already has, but it felt cool to say)

[William McKinley]

You know it.

We can drive this story to the forefront though.

And when we do, it will be very amusing to hear the lamentations of their women Democrats on TV talking about how this, like the CBS/Reagans cancellation, was driven by the VRWC.

[Grampa Dave]

We suffer the same fate with Chi Fi Frankenstein and Babbling Watermelon Boxer.

Chi Fi would come around if her focus groups showed that a lot of Californians were really poed about this.

Watermelon Boxer hates America, GW and our military. She would do anything to defeat GW.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Senator Jay Rockefeller, the "Artful Dodger".

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

RATS' CREDO

[Labyrinthos]

I even hate to say they are "my" senators, since I did not and will never vote for Little Chuckie or the Hildebeast.