Congress calls for leak investigation: Presidential reprimand moves representatives to action

MSNBC ^ | 20 July 2002 | Andrea Mitchell, Alex Johnson

[Howlin]

My, oh, my, ma'am, but you do have a devious mind!

[LarryLied]

Bush and Cheney knew Democrats could not resist leaking. That leads to several possibilities:

1. The classified information given to Congress was marked so the identity of the leaker could be discovered.

2. It was not feasible to mark the information but Bush and Cheney will lead Democrats to believe it was. Fear of discovery is a good way to keep them in line.

3. They were given disinformation to leak. Muslim terrorists are not stupid. They know Democrats are traitors. They will believe anything Democrats leak. Even if it is not true.

[PhiKapMom]

Does Edwards appear on CNN a lot? I got the impression that the leak was to them.

[Miss Marple]

Carl Cameron was talking about this today. Apparently a lot of media had the information, but they were asked not to reveal the phrases because the use of those phrases would let the perps know when and where they were heard.

Of course, immediately CNN broadcast them verbatim.

I hope CNN is prosecuted as well.

[Howlin]

He's on with Wolfe a LOT on Sundays.

[Howlin]

Why would they do that? If they had been asked not to, why did they?

[PhiKapMom]

I am not sure where it was first reported -- I asked that earlier today and someone told me CNN but I haven't verified it.

[Ole Okie]

Was impressed with the reporting by Andrea Mitchell on this story -- she was genuinely upset that someone from this Committee had leaked.

LOL! Maybe Alan Greenspan was not amused.

Who said "Send in the clowns"? I think it was Mark Twain who said that Congress is America's only native criminal class.

And this is so typical of their performance, no matter how many promises of secrecy are made by the head clowns.

But it has stirred up both Dubya and Cheney. Maybe some good will come from it.

[Ann Archy]

It's my best trait!!!!! LOL!

[Miss Marple]

Why would they do this? Because they are evil.

[Fracas]

Let's not be too quick to assume there was a single 'leaker'. Several leakers would give plausible deniability along the lines of 'How could you possibly think it was moi...you should check out ___'.

Do you know if they have to swear an oath? A legally binding 'under penalty of perjury' oath? If so, they should be prosecuted. Under any circumstance, this is the one time that GWB should name names and point fingers.

[PhiKapMom]

Would have to think it is someone that appears on TV a lot and to me Edwards fills that bill. I cannot believe CNN went with the story when asked not to but then I shouldn't be surprised. What shocked me was the depth of anger in Andrea Mitchell that this had been leaked!

[demkicker]

This is war time. The FBI needs to be monitoring ANY AND ALL SUSPECTS who pose a danger to the US. It's time for a major sting operation. If I were a democRAT with a big mouth, I'd be nervous about now. This is an election year and stakes are high.

[11th Earl of Mar]

“WE WILL cooperate with the FBI in any way possible”

Good. Now let's get polygraphs on all the committee members.

[McGavin999]

That's my pick too Howlin. I think once they sic the FBI/CIA on them the traitor will be exposed pretty quick. Actually, the entire committee and their staff should have been under surveilance from the very beginning.

Whoever did this needs to be publically humiliated and drummed out of congress. They are risking the security of the American people.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Unfortunately,I have to put Sen. Richard Shelby,Republican,( ex Dem) from Alabama, into the mix-his behavior the last few months has been anti Bush, anti CIA, anti FBI, anti administration, anti everything and he appears to have never met a camera or talk show, he didn't like. There were also serious rumors floating around DC, that he was going to do a Jeffords- which he has denied.

[PhiKapMom]

How's it going? Maybe you are right -- Greenspan didn't like it!

How about them Sooners? Sure hope they live up to their pre-season projection! Could be an interesting year! Awaiting your prediction! Sure wish I would have bet on your prediction in 2000!

I was shocked at Andrea Mitchell's reporting and still am. This isn't the first time though I have seen her reporting it right down the middle with no bias. Noticed that quite a bit lately.

[mystery-ak]

Are the committee members staff allowed to sit in on these hearings?

btw....what does Word Wrap mean when you post...LOL

[rintense]

Agreed. As I have said before, the BIGGEST problem to national security right now is leaks- not terrorists.

[PhiKapMom]

Shelby has been out in front of lot bashing -- he used to be a RAT before coming across the aisle but I heard these were rumors started by the clinton staff. I cannot see him leaking to the press even though he has not been happy.