The topic was the hearings that start on Monday. Babbin said that he had spent much of today talking on backkground with his sources in the intelligence community. He said flat out that they know that Rockefeller is the source of the leak to the NY Times.
The administration is not sure how to proceed. Babbin doesn't think they have the guts to indict a US senator. He said it would cause a battle royal on the Hill, if not a constitutional crisis.
He did say however, that any senator or Congressional staffer that holds a security clearance can be asked at any time to take a polygraph. The individual can of course refuse to take the test, but failure to do so is reason to remove that person's security clearance.
Babbin said further that Rockefeller, Durbin, and Wyden, and some on their staffs will soon be requested to take polygraphs.
If indeed this is true, it has obviously staggering implications. You would have the co-chair of the Senate Intelligence committee unable to in effect, do anything..
Comments......?
Note: There is something, which, IMHO, gives this story a great deal of credibility. If you happened to see any of the committee hearing this week at which Negroponte and Goss testified, right before the hearing ended, Rockefeller made what seemed at the time to be an idiotic statement. He said that he expected that the source of the leaks would turn out to be the Executive Branch...i.e. the White House. Negroponte looked at him like he (Rockefeller) was deranged..It made NO sense to me at the time...but now, with these comments...it makes a lot of sense..he's trying to deflect what he expects is coming his way....Possibly someone can dig up the heatring transcript and post Rockefeller's comments..
I can't see it being the senators themselves - they would order someone on their staffs to leak it.
give them all tests until you find the leaker.
Not holding my breath, but this would be better than (a) Lewinsky!
Yeah, right... SHOCKED!
Hasn't Jaybird sung before? I seem to recall his involvement in something similar.
As for that lisping Wyden and Turbin Durbin, it makes me sick that they're privy to national security secrets.
Let Jack Bauer do the investigation. HE WILL find out the truth....
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Jay will be given a chance to fall on his sword gracefully. imho.
Oh, and your French toast was excellent...lol.
Dang...I meant to listen to Batchelor's show and forgot...and I LOVE Jeb Babbin.
Okay....I sort of understand why the Bush wouldn't want the "hassle" of trying to indict a sitting Senator...especially one that is the Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee...BUT...
If they can find someone who can/will testify to Rocky's involvement in getting this stuff to Risen or the NYTimes...then Bush would have no choice.
He is responsible for keeping this country safe...and if a Senator is working against him on this...then he must be removed, and if he broke a law in the process...then he must be adjudicated..
My gosh...look at Libby...
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How delicious if they could nail Rockefeller! Probably a long shot but what the h*ll, a girl's gotta dream!
The prospect of Durbin, Rockefeller and Wyden refusing to take a polygraph makes smile REAL BIG.
;OD
"Who will not rid me of this turbulent priest!"
Sorry,my favorite CYA line of all time.
Of course Rockefeeler will never be convicted of anything. You don't become a US Senator without learning how to cover your tracks.
Doesn't mean we can't try...
Not that I'm tooting my own horn here or anything. He is the author of the "memo" and he is on the intel committee and he is a world-class dirtbag.....