FBI reopening probe into Broadwell’s access to classified documents

Hot Air ^ | November 14, 2012 | Ed Morrissey

[maggief]

At first the FBI probed the e-mails of Paula Broadwell and CIA Director David Petraeus from a suspicion of cyberstalking and harassment. They then dropped the probe after determining that the biographer of Petraeus had a personal relationship with him, even though they discovered that Broadwell had classified documents on her computer. After the entire probe went public and forced Petraeus to resign, FBI agents suddenly conducted a seizure of materials from Broadwell’s home — which the Washington Post reports comes from a belated curiosity into her possession of those classified documents:

The FBI is making a new push to determine how a woman who had an affair with retired Gen. David H. Petraeus when he was CIA director obtained classified files, part of an expanding series of investigations in a scandal that also threatens the career of the United States’ top military commander in Afghanistan.

Senior law enforcement officials said that a late-night seizure on Monday of boxes of material from the North Carolina home of Paula Broadwell, a Petraeus biographer whose affair with him led to his resignation last week, marks a renewed focus by investigators on sensitive material found in her possession.

“The issue of national security is still on the table,” one U.S. law enforcement official said. Both Petraeus and Broadwell have denied to investigators that he was the source of any classified information, officials said.

It is? That’s odd to hear, especially since law-enforcement officials appeared to make it plain earlier in this scandal that no charges would be forthcoming. The Post is rather surprised to hear this, too:

[meyer]

“The issue of national security is still on the table,” one U.S. law enforcement official said.

Look at what's occupying the White House and then tell me that you're concerned with national security??!!!

[WildHighlander57]

Pinging no-to-illegals to this info

Many thanks maggief

[IMR 4350]

If you haven’t noticed, because of this the talk is mow turning to the and WH blackmail.

Not exactly what the WH wanted. Anyone towing the WH line won’t be believed.

[mac_truck]

The administration tried to use the affair to get Petreus to toe the line on the Benghazi story and he eventually called them on it, so they raised the ante and ‘reopened’ the classified documents case.

We'll see if the General goes 'all in' and gives Congress the unvarnished truth about the Benghazi debacle.

[FamiliarFace]

Sandy Berger showed that you can get away with quite a bit if you’re working for the right people.

[maggief]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/11/wolf-calls-for-special-benghazi-committee-149450.html?hp=r3

A senior House Republican is calling for a select committee to investigate the Benghazi attacks, echoing similar demands from Senate Republicans in recent days.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) wrote in a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that a special panel be established “immediately.”

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/mccain-watergate-style-panel-probe-libya-17714975

Sen. John McCain is calling for establishment of a Watergate-style congressional committee to investigate the deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83824.html?hp=r3

John McCain: Susan Rice ‘not qualified’ for State

Sen. John Kerry is quickly emerging as the favorite of most senators to replace Hillary Clinton at State.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FLASHBACK:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/mccain-asked-about-kerrys-vp-offer/

McCain Asked About Kerry’s V.P. Offer

[maggief]

“The administration tried to use the affair to get Petreus to toe the line on the Benghazi story and he eventually called them on it, so they raised the ante and ‘reopened’ the classified documents case.”

The affair story was exposing the relationship of a prominent Dem. fundraiser, Gerry Harrington, with ties to the Kennedy’s, Kerry, Pelosi, Clinton, etc.

[uncommonsense]

"Does retaining Holder aid in the cover-up and obfuscation?"

What's one more contempt of congress charge at this point?

The central figure in the Libya weapons running / CIA ops outs himself after his case was handled by Witholder - then viola - Witholder's gas tank is suddenly filled back up and he's ready to continue to fight for "more flexibility" against constitutional restrictions.

[lodi90]

Watch these marxists carefully.

What is happening I believe is the regime are claiming that the reason the kenyan wasn’t told about this investigation is because it was just a “criminal matter”.

That is of course totally buffoonery since they admitted the emails contained confidential information regarding the movement of the CIA Director! That is not national security related??

Now that the election is past they are making it a national security issue to continue the circus and distraction from Benghazi.

Here we are seeing the face of real fascism. Banana Republic style.

[Candor7]

Here we are seeing the face of real fascism. Banana Republic style.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I agree. Nothing like perusing the bunny-in-the-hole antics of the high and mighty.

I am all for turning that spotlight on Obama and his sodomites.

But Benghazi needs to be explained ASAP.We will see what the wiggle position of the Obama Matrix really is.....but its quite simple. Just as Obama would not give Seal Team 6 snipers an order to kill 3 Somali Pirates holding a US Captain hostage next to a US Navy vessel in a life boat ( the Seals had to take the initiative) Obama would not order the killing via ginship, of the jihadists muslim bortherhood attacking Benghazi mission.

Obama will not directly order the deaths of fellow Muslims. Its actually treason and impeachable in this instance.

[FamiliarFace]

I’m wondering when the lamestream media reporters will finally get angry enough with this administration to finally start telling the truth to the American public, in order to get the Obama admin to come clean. Jonathan Karl looked none too pleased with Jay Carney’s responses to all of this yesterday.

My question is that even if we live in a Banana Republic, and even the left is understanding that...what can be done to undo the harm that this admin has foisted on us? I think the media can get the ball rolling in the right direction, if only they get tired enough of the ridiculous run-around coming from the WH and the Justice Dept.

I’d like to ask Jonathan Karl to come to grips with what he’s witnessing, and say enough is enough, and not just him, but all of these buffoons who have let this corrupt, misdirecting, and obfuscating administration carry on like this. When will the MSM realize that they have been played for the last 4 years? Get to your jobs, people!

[Galtoid]

This Broadwell woman is a plant. A Democrat operative.

When will some journalist realize that a thorough expose on Benghazi would garner heroism and a Pulitzer?

[uncommonsense]

"there was a long and lengthy process to have a government computer accredited for classified info. I'm not sure if there even were any provisions for a personal computer to be accredited"

I had a key technical position with a global data company. I had to use a company issued laptop and couldn't:
- access any type of web mail
- un/install any software
- change security settings
- could not plug in any external memory devices
- and the hard drive was encrypted and wouldn't work without a wireless USB key that picked up new hash codes every few minutes.

And this wasn't classified national security intel - I just potentially had access to company plans and technical artifacts, maybe some personnel info.

[Jumpmaster]

I’ve not seen what branch she is. Assumption is she is MI, possibly CA. Also, have not seen what unit to which she is assigned. Anyone know for sure? Some of the lingo I’ve seen quoted from her just do not ring true for someone with 15+ years in.

[FamiliarFace]

**When will some journalist realize that a thorough expose on Benghazi would garner heroism and a Pulitzer?**

Exactly! I would love to see one of them get enough backbone to do an expose on this administration, just like what happened in Watergate.

[uncommonsense]

"Is this another way to tell Petraeus that the price of him telling the truth about Benghazi would be very high indeed?"

It's a good question. While everyone is crowing about this "sex scandal" being a side show - it may be one of the linchpins to an actual crime - blackmail, obstruction, perjury, and more...

If we put on our "Chicago thug hats" for a moment - threatening a guy like Gen. Petraeus probably won't get you very much cooperation. He's seen human behavior about as vicious as anything in the last millennium. So, what does a thug do to make a guy like this cooperate? Snatch someone he cares about who is innocent of anything related to the crimes and threaten their destruction if he doesn't cooperate...

[no-to-illegals]

Would have missed this one, if had Not been pinged. Thank You Both. Sleep deprivation is setting in. My apology for an excuse.

[no-to-illegals]

If she voted, there is maybe a record. May tell us something, may not. N.C. and other states have been coding ballots. Maybe it goes deep, maybe not. Has the coding been attached to names (as in ballot = name)? Nobody is asking so am throwing into the mix. Not certain that is taking place, but have witnessed the coding. Would Americans be told if the System has taken that route?

[nanetteclaret]

The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was formed during WWII to coordinate espionage activities for all branches of the Armed Forces. It transitioned into the **CIA** after the War.

In one of the clips of her speeches which Fox has been showing, she talks about having top security clearance and how people were confused as to whether she was in Afghanistan as military or as a journalist.

She is a also candidate for a Ph.D. in War Studies at King’s College London. On Greta last night, Petraeus’ former aide mentioned that the “affair” began after he left the military and that the book was originally supposed to be about something else (war strategy maybe?) and only later did Petraeus realize that it was a biography about him.

***“She said he was unsure of himself sometimes. She said he was concerned about the public’s perception of him.”*** Sounds like he was the perfect candidate for emotional entanglement and then blackmail.

I really don’t think this is about an “affair,” but about espionage.

[Enterprise]

She could be a plant, but even so, she effed up big time when she was caught with classified documents on her computer.