Leak in Domestic Spy Program Investigated [“ ...could reach high into the White House”]

Los Angeles Times ^ | December 31, 2005 | By Josh Meyer

[johnny7]

The Justice Department inquiry could extend into all branches of the federal government

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department disclosed Friday that it was investigating who had leaked classified information about President Bush's top-secret domestic spying program — paving the way for a potentially contentious criminal probe that could reach high into the White House, Congress and the courts. Several U.S. officials familiar with the investigation — which is in its infancy — said it would be conducted by FBI agents trained in probing national security and counterintelligence matters.

The officials said the investigation would focus primarily on disclosures in the New York Times that Bush had authorized the National Security Agency to conduct surveillance on people in the U.S. without getting warrants from a special federal court established to approve them.

[Galveston Grl]

Whenever the left is in trouble they confuse the issue. That is why they are tossing up the very unlikey possibility that the White House is the leaker. Remember when Clinton committed perjury - perjury was never mentioned. It was "lying about sex" and "everybody does it." When Clinton's female victims came forward it was their ugly hair, makeup, etc. - not what they said.

An honest article would go after the likely suspects - Leaky Leahy and Rockefeller, for example.

[maica]

*Catastrophic Leak* is just right!!!

[Galveston Grl]

"The People's Right to know" is like the "wall of separation between church and state." It is an invention to serve the power of the Left as it goes about breaking the law and violating the rights of political and social enemies.

[ExTexasRedhead]

2006 may not be a good year for NYT; may they all go down in disgrace; Dummycrats and their cohorts in the MSM!

[Pukin Dog]

As to who the leaker is, I think you folks need to look at it a bit more strategically. It is natural to assume that this leak would come from Rockefeller or some of the other traitorous Democrats on the Hill.

Also, don't believe the NY Times when they attempt to narrow the leaker down to "a dozen or so current or former" whatever, and all that crap. Senators have the biggest mouths in the world. It is the only way they can get their boring, braggadocios asses invited to Washington parties. Do you really want to believe that members of the Intelligence committed did not share the domestic surveillance program with other Senators? Especially those Senators who have both a personal and professional stake in damaging the White House?

I have NO proof of who the leaker might be, but I will tell you who I think it is. I think it is the Senator who wants to be President, but cant win as a Democrat, and wont win as a Republican either, but intends to run as an Independent on the premise that both sides are dysfunctional.

John McCain.

[Miss Marple]

Disagree. I don't think McCain would use this information. I find no evidence that he has ever mouthed off about intelligence information, unlike Durbin and Rockefeller.

[Miss Marple]

And I should add, I can't stand McCain.

[Steel Wolf]

I have NO proof of who the leaker might be, but I will tell you who I think it is. I think it is the Senator who wants to be President, but cant win as a Democrat, and wont win as a Republican either, but intends to run as an Independent on the premise that both sides are dysfunctional. John McCain.

Well, stranger things have happened. If McCain did talk to the NYT, all I can say is, not only is he certifiably crazy, but he's a lot dumber than I thought.

That said, unless the media is wrong, and McCain was briefed on the program, then he is not the leak.

McCain would have to have gotten the information from somewhere, which means the actual leak is still at large. He's just the link between the New York Times and the actual leak in the program.

[cbkaty]

So...it wasn't the devil himself, Tom Delay?

[Wasanother]

My bet is someone in congress. I heard one of the guest on a news show state,"you know how the congress works" in regards to this leak.

[Pukin Dog]

John McCain has never in his life demonstrated any form of intellect whatsoever, unless you regard intellect as being able to leverage family, friends and media connections to avoid responsibility for errors that would keep others permanently unemployable.

I don't believe there is a Senator in Washington who DIDNT know about this program and others.

[Dawgreg]

Exactly! Leave no stone unturned. I still don't know why Bush didn't clean house when he took office. Seems it's taken him all this time to realize Demonrats are NOT his friends and have NO desire to help him and I'll throw a few RINO'S into that mix.:(

[IonInsights]

Hugh Hewitt commenting on this:

Topping Off the Tank: The Los Angeles Times at Year's End

[doc30]

I guess the MSM media is hoping the leak probe will somehow get Bush impeached by showing he did somthing illegal with repect to the wiretaps.

[Pukin Dog]

McCain jilted Kristol for his new "lover" (note the quotes, Lindsey) Senator Graham. Kristol still thinks he should be working in the White House, so he wanted Rove to go down, but otherwise, he will support the investigation.

[Strutt9]

"If I were Senators Durbin, Rockefeller, Schumer, Kennedy and Kerry, I'd be sweating bullets seriously right now. "
Nah... they have way tooooo much money and they will be alright.. will only get a slap on the wrist and the Liberal states that they come from will put them back as senators.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Or it could and probably will flush out some traitorus scum left over from Clinton's regime.

[RayChuang88]

Yes, I've noticed that somebody "put a sock" on Senator Durbin lately. I wonder did some of the more sane leadership in the Democratic Party realize what a looney bin the Senator turned into when he made those remarks.

[Steel Wolf]

John McCain has never in his life demonstrated any form of intellect whatsoever, unless you regard intellect as being able to leverage family, friends and media connections to avoid responsibility for errors that would keep others permanently unemployable.

Shrewdness is a form of intelligence, I guess. McCain has done a clever job of portraying himself as the principaled maverick. If he had any hand in the NYT leak, though, then he got cocky, and went a bridge too far.

I don't believe there is a Senator in Washington who DIDNT know about this program and others

That may be the case, but a leak is a leak. It has a source.