Frist Disbands Senate Intel Committee Over Memogate

NewsMax ^ | 11/8/03 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has temporarily disbanded the Senate Intelligence Committee until committee Democrats reveal the identity of the author of a memo outlining a their plan to politicize intelligence data in a bid undermine President Bush's reelection.

"The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has been harmed by a blatant partisan attack," the Tennessee Republican said in a floor speech yesterday, concluding that the memo had rendered the committee "incapable of meeting its responsibilities to the United States Senate and to the American people."

"Those responsible for this memo appear to be more focused on winning the White House than they are on winning the war against terror," Frist complained before adding, "There will be no more pulling along and no more useful collaboration on partisan schemes."

Committee Chairman Pat Roberts echoed Frist's decision to shut his committee down, saying, "Unless and until this reprehensible attack plan and strategy to derail the committee's important work is properly addressed, I am afraid that it will be impossible to return to business as usual in the committee."

A committee meeting scheduled for yesterday was canceled, and none has been scheduled for next week, a senior committee staff member told the Washington Post.

Frist also demanded that Democrats implicated in the Memogate scandal deliver "a personal apology" to Sen. Roberts.

Though retiring Georgia Democratic Sen. Zell Miller has called the memo, first leaked to radio host Sean Hannity on Tuesday, "perhaps treasonous," other Democrats circled the wagons on Friday.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid complained on the Senate floor that the memo had been "pilfered" by Republicans then leaked to the media, saying that act was just as offensive as anything revealed by the controversial document.

[Nita Nupress]

I vaguely remember reading something like this after the war in Iraq was underway when our guys were sifting thru boxes and drawers of documents.

Hey, Geeze! Nice to see you again!

Your reference above was ANOTHER incident that I also remember, but it disappeared from the radar from some reason. IIRC, it happened very early in the invasion (April?). I think I even saw a photo of a room full of files strewn everywhere. Please ping me if you ever run across a follow-up on that, and I'll do the same.

[Nita Nupress]

Nita Nupress said: "...Watergate was never about national security."

I disagree here.

I think you're absolutely correct. And that's also proof positive that I'm not really old enough to remember Watergate. (wink, wink!) :-)

[johnb838]

No, next week they're going to have the 30 hour mini-true filibuster to use as a pulpit to denounce dim obstructionism. I'd hate to go out on a limb and call this strategery, but it's starting to look like it.

[pollywog]

Let's FREEP Frist and let him know we appreciate this couragous move!!!!!!!!

[johnb838]

Interesting that Kennedy was down in Texas being suckered by 41 while all this was coming down.

[NutCrackerBoy]

It's certainly unseemly for the Dems to be explicity using their seats on the Intel commitee for partisan purposes. But the best way to counteract that is to demand a fair and complete investigation, no?

A fair investigation, yes. But be wary of a fishing expedition. Questionable leads can be followed to expose things that can be exploited politically.

[cardinal4]

Looks like we are getting somewhere!

[PGalt]

BTTT!!!

[pollywog]

Let's all tell HIM what we think.!! Encouragment works wonders!!

http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction

[ErnBatavia]

First time I've heard Frist has a set of nads. Thought he was cut from the same cloth as Lott. A male cheerleader

He doesn't have balls....and he is Lott II....this will all be dead, eulogized, buried and forgotten by Monday.

[johnb838]

Memo to Frist:

"Dear Dr. Frist:

I want to congratulate you for your action in suspending the Senate Intelligence Committee. Many of us conservatives have been hoping and praying for strong action against un-american activities in the government. The notion of collegiality in the Senate is history now -- has been ever since the Clintons took over. This is a street fight and I'm glad to see you showing up armed.

Best wishes for the battles ahead, and remember -- the Americans who love this country are behind you all the way."

[MainFrame65]

"... What the...???? Ok, who smuggled a Porta-spine into the Senate for Frist to use? Huh? Come on, 'fess up..."

Actually, I think they might manufacture those things at the former Richards Medical Company - now part of Medtronic - here in Memphis, TN. Their products include all kinds of spinal repair tools, implements, implants, etc. Maybe The Senate Majority Leader/Doctor took a 200 mile detour past here on his last trip home and got a little help....

[AndyJackson]

Do they make pairs of small round steel prosthetics with self-containted testosterone pumps as well?

[narses]

Ping.

[anniegetyourgun]

Nah, he's just taking advice from Newt who floated this 48 hours earlier. Those "back-bencher" skills are still Newt's best!

[xm177e2]

Frist has a SPINE!!!

I guess this is why people call him "The Iron Frist"

[UB355]

Bump for later

[spokeshave]

""Bill Frist shows some cojones, for once."

Well....at least one more....

[clintonh8r]

FRIST GROWS 'NADS; WOMEN, MINORITIES TO SUFFER MOST