CONGRESS BIGS NIX PROBE INTO 'RATHERGATE'

New York Post ^ | 9/16/04 | IAN BISHOP

[kattracks]

September 16, 2004 -- WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders yesterday put the kibosh on demands from a powerful House Republican for a probe into "evidence that CBS News has aided and abetted fraud" by peddling suspect documents critical of President Bush.

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, sought the investigation "given the shortness of the time between now and the election, which the apparent fraud is meant to influence."

He complained the network has declined to give the source of the documents.

But fellow Republican Joe Barton (Texas) rebuffed Cox's demand, saying an investigation "hardly seems appropriate or necessary."

Barton, who heads the House panel that oversees the telecommunications industry, said the court of public opinion will issue the best verdict.

"I do not personally believe these documents are legitimate, and it seems clear that the press and the two presidential campaigns are properly dealing with that issue," Barton said.

[MistyCA]

It served it's purpose! The letter from Congress to CBS is what pushed them to respond tonight. I am not so sure we should have Congress get involved because of their tendancy to turn everything into grandstanding and sound bites! I would rather see the Attorney General take this one on as the legit crime it is.

[Stonedog]

I suspect that any legal action will come from the Texas AG's office (if it comes at all). The link will come from the bottom up and See BS will get off scot free (other than losing all credibility and most veiwers). Whoever faxed these fakes could be charged with mail fraud possibly.

[pillbox_girl]

"hardly seems appropriate or necessary."

Puh-Freaking-Lease! If the Janet Jackson's Nipple and Howard Stern's are appropriate for congressional attention, why the f*** isn't a blatant fraud intended to manipulate the upcoming election?

All they need to ask is, "Who's your source,Dan?" Even the most callow americans must realize that fraudsters and liars do not warrant protection, and CBS continuing to protect them only implicates CBS.

It has been said the Republican Party is the "Stupid Party". I begin to agree. Thank goodness the Dems have proven to be just slightly more stupid this election. The question is, who will hit the learning curve first?

[pillbox_girl]

(Someone teach me how to make the "th" superscripted.)

Use the <SUP> HTML tag. Like this:

Ra<SUP>th</SUP>er == Ra^ther

[weegee]

President Bush has shown a history of not wanting to open some of these cans of worms (starting with the vandalism by the exiting Clinton/Gore staff).

Not to say that these people are not guilty as sin, it is just that he tries to rise above. It would not surprise me to learn that the White House has asked that no Congressional hearings take place.

I think that this is a major scandal and evidence of collusion between the DNC and major media to try to sway an election with bogus documents. At the very least, the public should be made aware of the scandal and the journalists/editors who participated in this fraud should be terminated by their employers (no government involvement there).

We should also learn the names of the Democrat operatives and learn how high up in the Kerry Campaign this goes. What sort of pressure has been brought to bear to intimidate people from speaking out or even to change their "testimony"?

[DC Bound]

Awe^some T^hanks

[pillbox_girl]

T'weren't Nuthin.

No go forth with your new knowledge and start creating your own "accurate if not authentic" documents. Dan Rather, Goats, and KY Jelly seem suitably "authentic" subjects to ask "serious questions" about.

[DC Bound]

Because if the Republicans in Congress investigate this, the Democrats won't like them. I agree with another poster that Justice needs to dig into this. It doesn't need to start today or tomorrow--in fact, if they wait, the New Media will do all the investigating for them. Then, sometime after the election, when the Dems start their predictable rant about how W. stole this election, doesn't have a mandate, etc, Ashcroft can announce Ra^ther and co. are being held in Cuba and are being charged for everything possible. Will it happen? No. This will disappear just like Bergergate, but it will hasten the demise of the Old Media.

[DC Bound]

Check out breaking news--apparently these documents have a history....

[traviskicks]

"All by itself, the story appears to get better by the hour. We don't need a congressional investigation."

I agree. Its just going to make Republican lawmakers look partisan and foolish. Their point has been made, anymore of this is just uselessness trying to get their face on the news.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Good.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Of course, only one campaign is dealing correctly with the forgeries.

The other campaign is coordinating the forgeries. See the kerry-edwards web site, April 27, press release detailing the same charges. word-for-word.

[tobyhill]

Just a suggestion,
This committee could call for a preliminary investigation and subpoena all persons involved to see if a full investigation is needed. After subpoenaing the individuals, including Dan Rathers, Daughter Robin, Burkett and others, ask 3 questions.
Did you know these documents were forged?
Did you forge these documents?
Do you know who forged these documents?
Later, if anyone lied under oath, they could be charged with perjury or worse, but at least for the moment it gets them on the record. Journalist are not protected from disclosing their source if a crime is alleged to have occurred.

[NYCVirago]

I guess I'm more sharkish, When there is blood in the water i want to see a feeding frenzy. MSM won't do it.

Nah. Barton is right. Besides, if this goes to Congress, all we'll hear is about the powerful right-wingers punishing a broadcaster they don't like.

[dinasour]

I really don't want C^BS to just stonewall their way out of this.

Perhaps pressure could be brought to drop C^BS from the debates.

Even if it didn't succeed, it would still generate some interesting buzz.

[dinasour]

I really don't want C^BS to just stonewall their way out of this.

Perhaps pressure could be brought to drop C^BS from the debates.

Even if it didn't succeed, it would still generate some interesting buzz.

[Peach]

What?????

We should freep Congress today. The RNC has no backbone. Chris Cox must be ticked off to a fairtherewell.

[steve-b]

When the opposition is self-destructing, don't interfere.

[Alia]

Good points.

[thoughtomator]

This belongs with the Attorney General anyway.