Posted on 12/20/2005 10:58:25 AM PST by slowhand520
Roberts Rakes Rockefeller - Tuesday, December 20, 2005 @ 12:53:30 PM
Yesterday, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), co-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee (and probable source of many leaks of secret information) released a hand-scrawled letter he had written to VP Cheney two years ago after being briefed on the NSA domestic intel effort. Rockefeller, trying to score political points, raised the letter as proof of his doubts about the NSA program, and that his hands were tied, unable to do anything about it. This morning, Intel Committee Chair Pat Roberts (R-KS) released this statement which blows Rockefeller out of the water:
"I am puzzled by the release yesterday of a July 2003 letter from Senator Rockefeller to the Vice President regarding the recently exposed intelligence collection program, which was authorized by the President shortly after September 11, 2001.
“In his letter and accompanying press statement, Senator Rockefeller asserts that he had lingering concerns about the program designed to protect the American people from another attack, but was prohibited from doing anything about it.
“A United States Senator has significant tools with which to wield power and influence over the executive branch. Feigning helplessness is not one of those tools.
“If Senator Rockefeller truly had the concerns he claimed to have had in his two and a half year old letter, he could have pursued a number of options to have those concerns addressed:
1. First, he could have discussed his concerns with me or other Members of Congress who had been briefed on the program. He never asked me or the Committee to take any action consistent with the “concerns” raised in his letter.
2. Second, he could have raised objections with the Vice President during one of the many briefings we received. I have no recollection of Senator Rockefeller objecting to the program at the many briefings he and I attended together. In fact, it is my recollection that on many occasions Senator Rockefeller expressed to the Vice President his vocal support for the program. His most recent expression of support was only two weeks ago.
3. Finally, he could have pursued any number of legislative remedies. He chose to pursue none.
“Senator Rockefeller could have taken any of these approaches to adress his “lingering concerns.” He did not. He chose instead to write a letter to the Vice President and for two and a half years, keep a copy of the letter in the Intelligence Committee vault and say nothing to anyone.
“For the nearly three years Senator Rockefeller has served as Vice Chairman, I have heard no objection from him about this valuable program. Now, when it appears to be politically advantageous, Senator Rockefeller has chosen to release his two and a half year old letter. Forgive me if I find this to be inconsistent and a bit disingenuous.”
So do we, Sen. Roberts. So do we.
Posted By: Jed Babbin
I suppose Rockefeller was too petrified to use a typewriter to write this note. ;-)
Possibilities:
1) He never sent the letter.
2) He Just wrote it a few days ago.
3) He sent it, but made no effort to make sure it got special notice. If this last scenario is accurate, it was plotted 2-3 years in advance.
Any could be true.
What is key, though, is that Roberts states Rockefeller praised the program only two weeks ago. That nukes the letter, real, plotted or imagined.
As I have always said, Jay Rockefeller is dumber than West Virginia coal bucket.
I think its the wrong press release, sorry.
I think its the wrong press release, sorry.
Use a bat with a lead bar core too. Make Murtha, Schumer,Pelosi, Leahy and Kerry watch and assure them their fate will be the same. There will be no more leaks.
Covering the bases?
Good luck. :-)
You might even call Senator Robert's office to verify as well. They may have a link to a documented source on their own hard drives.
Side by side to Robert's statement is Stevens playing hardball with Dems/McCain/RINO's over ANWR. It is pretty amazing, isn't it? I'm a bit pleased with them today. It's an unusual condition. LOL
And on a side note, it must be fact because the WP says it is. Could that story be more emotional and sympathetic? Good Lord, it's so obvious that it is an insult to the itelligence of the reader.
I am going to wait until I get Alan Colmes and Juan Williams analysis of this story. (/off)
I'm more convinced today than ever that he is the mole who blabbed to the NYslimes. He should be removed from the committee post-haste. If I remember correctly added to the secret communication from his staff to undermine the President before the '04 election?
I really need to preview, geez.
intelligence
Sensitive is right. It's probably not good to let your staffers know that you can't tie your own shoes without their help. Poor Rock-head-fellar.
What a big old steaming pile of ....
The Washington Post article also said, "...In hindsight, the letter seemed a rejoinder to President Bush's assertions that key congressional leaders were adequately briefed on the expanded NSA program and to his intimation that they did not seriously object."
The last paragraph of that article is the kicker. Bush has been vindicated from these charges that the Democrats say all this stuff has been done under total secrecy. Which is untrue. Both Republicans and Democrats have been briefed on a regular and routine basis since day one of his administration.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.