Hatch Warning: Sen. Rockefeller Risks 'Serious Criticism' for Memogate

NewsMax.com ^ | Friday Nov. 7, 2003 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[jmstein7]

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Ut., said Thursday that Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga, was right to charge this week that a memo outlining plans by Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats to politicize Iraq war intelligence borders on "treason."

But the Utah Republican defended the committee's ranking Democrat, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, saying he shouldn't have to resign as the committee's vice chairman even if he's found have authorized staffers to prepare the bombshell document.

Asked about Sen. Miller's comment on Wednesday that the memo was "treason's first cousin" and that "heads should roll" over the episode, Sen. Hatch told radio host Sean Hannity, "I happen to love Zell Miller and I do agree with that because bad intelligence results in the deaths of Democrats and Republicans - in other words, our people."

But Hatch refused to call for disciplinary action against ranking Democrat Rockefeller, recommending instead that Republicans "publicly ask the Democrats how they reconcile [preparing such a memo] with the critical need for non-partisanship."

When Hannity said that his sources had identified Rockefeller as being responsible for the memo, Sen. Hatch turned defensive.

Noting that the West Virginia Democrat "has worked pretty well with [Committee Chairman] Pat Roberts," the Utah Republican said, "I really doubt that Sen. Rockefeller would have anything to do with trying to make [the Committee's investigation] that partisan."

Asked what would happen if it turned out that Rockefeller was implicated in the memo scandal, Hatch replied, "Well, it's a serious issue. I mean, it would be, you know - he would be seriously criticized if that were the case."

"I like Sen. Rockefeller very much but, I mean, that wouldn't be right," he added.

Despite the national security breach, Hatch said it would be unwise for the White House to stop cooperating with committee Democrats, saying he feared that the press wouldn't permit it.

"The can't [stop cooperating] because the major media in this country . . . is always on [the Democrats'] side and they don't ever get called to account," he complained. "If [Republicans] did something like that it would be front page headlines all over the country. You know that."

[nickcarraway]

Ooooh. Mr. Hatch will be very cross with Mr. Rockefeller. He might even not say ``hi'' to him next time they meet. No, that would be too hard. It's enough for Mr. Rockefeller to know that that mr. Hatch is annoyed with him.

[mass55th]

"I'm so frustrated I just want to give Hatch an atomic wedgie."

I was just listening to Sean Hannity. He played some comments made by Bill Frist on the Senate Floor. He doesn't sound too willing to roll over like Hatch. Frist commented that there were some in the Senate that were more willing to use the intelligence gathered in the committee to win the White House than win the war on terror. Sean also had Senator Kyl on. I didn't get to hear all he said, but there were three things he felt the Dems had to do: The first was to turn over the name of the person who wrote the memo, the second was for the Dems to promise that they wouldn't do what they had stated they were going to do in the memo, and I can't remember the third. The first two are too wishy-washy for me, so I can just imagine what the third one was. Turning the memo writer's name over is okay, as long as all who were involved are dealt with through discipline. And, asking the Dems to cease and desist their dirty politics is no different than asking Saddam to comply with a U.N. resolution...it'll never happen. Heads have to roll, from the top down. This shouldn't be brushed away. It needs to be addressed and people need to be held accountable for their acts. I only hope the Republicans have the needed heart to do the right thing.

[Mo1]

Filibuster ... apparently they CAN talk about ANYTHING!

Thanks for that info ...This should be fun to watch then

[abner]

Serious Criticism...

I haven't seen anything that lame since, well, Clinton..

[mass55th]

Kyl: "Memo suggests that dems plan to castigate the majority..."

Plan to? Senator...they've already done it and you guys opened the door for them to boot.

[PeyersPatches]

"serious criticism"?

Ya know, if the conservative general public didn't have a boatfull of cajones, there would be no cajones in America. I will never understand the Republicans inside the beltway - the more they get handed on their silver platter, the more they muck it up. They indeed do an olympic job of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Had this memo been on the other foot, the democrats would be screaming "treason" from every media rooftop in America.
Republicans inside the beltway truly make me want to throw up my hands and run away screaming sometimes. Sigh.

[abner]

Republicans inside the beltway truly make me want to throw up my hands and run away screaming sometimes. Sigh.

Maybe the conservatives should just go to the other side and take over. At least over there they know how to fight. There would just have to be enough of us to make the people in that party become us..

[FLCowboy,]

The good old Senate believes in taking care of each other. The Republicans will can one of their own and support the enemy. This should also be counted as Political Treason. I just think the Republicans are cowards.

The Dems didn't support Trent Lott very well. I think it is just the Republicans that are weak kneed. They are pathetic. Anybody for starting a term limit amendment?

[Judith Anne]

Well, I AM intestinal fortitude. I've emailed and phoned about everyone I can think of, including the media, and so have a BUNCH of other FReepers. Senator Kyl told Sean Hannity that the emails, faxes, and phone calls were having an effect, and I think we should keep it up.

Our encouragement and our outrage is vital, and we MUST communicate it. I don't expect my senators to do ANYTHING if I haven't told them it matters to me, a VOTER.

I hope they ALL hear from a whole lot of voters.

[Judith Anne]

Please don't be defeatist...please, please, let YOUR voice be heard on this Memogate outrage. If you've already done it, then thanks, and don't give up!

[Mo1]

Here is the number for the US Capitol......you can ask for any elected official.........1-877-762-8762

[Judith Anne]

Thanks a million, Mo1. ;-D

[PeyersPatches]

Our encouragement and our outrage is vital, and we MUST communicate it. I don't expect my senators to do ANYTHING if I haven't told them it matters to me, a VOTER.

---

They heard from me as well. I still do not think they will do anything about it. My hope is that, for once, they prove me wrong. I won't hold my breath, however.

[k2afe]

My comment is this. Perhaps Sen. Hatch sees a new Vice
Chairman (woman) that would replace Rockefeller as one
Hillary Clintoon. I can understand his reluctance to
pursue that as the end result... Am I off base with this
thinking? k2afe

[gunner03]

BULLSHIT, another example of Republican spinelessness. With a son in the Marines, I will not forgive the actions of our cowards that would place him in harms way for the sake of the good ol' boys across the isle. Plus, for this idiot to referance the media, I would like to know who's running the Senate, Congress or the media whores. If this slides, god help the republicans in the next election. Civil war looks more and more as the only option left.

[Ann Archy]

Could Orrin Hatch be ANY MORE SPINELESS????

Memo to Republicans: GET TOUGH and STAND UP FOR AMERICA!!!!! THIS IS WAR!!!!

We are in a fight for civilization.....find some CAJONES!!!

[Ann Archy]

Hatch reminds me of Elizabet's Smart's father who wouldn't say anything BAD about the "kidnappers".!!!! What's in that Great Salt Lake???? Must make spines disappear.

[Onelifetogive]

But Hatch refused to call for disciplinary action against ranking Democrat Rockefeller, recommending instead that Republicans "publicly ask the Democrats how they reconcile [preparing such a memo] with the critical need for non-partisanship."

Orrin...To reconcile...You do what you always do....bend over and take it up the "Hatch!"

[Ann Archy]

Jon KYL for CHAIRMAN!!!! He's got it all...cajones and smarts.

[TexasCajun]

But Hatch refused to call for disciplinary action against ranking Democrat Rockefeller,

Just more wimpy Rodney King whining from the testicular challanged pubbies.
Hatch and Lott are two of the biggest wussies I've ever seen.