[jocon307]

Thanks, and apologies to whoever thinks this is a stupid post. And I only put Hannity's URL in because it wouldn't let me post without one.

[SpaceBar]

My intuition, which is pretty good, tells me that this is a big one. Sean is correct about locking down computers and e-mail accounts on those involved, and a full investigation on these committee members in regards to abuse of political power, misappropriation of government funds and whatever else will stick be launched. Sean, if you are reading this, ask Joseph Farrah about the best way to release hard copy to the media, and make it a centerpiece for your Fox News show tonight, and for the next eighteen months. The authenticity of the document(s) needs to be made, and their existence made known to law enforcement agencies namely the FBI. This is serious stuff.

[Arrowhead1952]

A memo circulated among Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence shows the committee's minority plotting to use classified information against the White House in next year's presidential campaign.

The document, obtained and disclosed by nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity Tuesday afternoon, suggests that the top priority among senior Democrats entrusted with guarding the nation's security is instead driving the Bush administration from power.

PING!!!! This is a serious matter!!!

[nuffsenuff]

The democrats potentially illegal actions aside...

Could it be that there is some kind of info that is damaging to the President or are they making plans for potential info down the road.

I'm confused.

[Masked Conservative]

Okay, I read the memo, and as much as I hate Liberals, I'm sorry...but I don't see the big deal. Here's my analysis point by point.

For the record, this is a VERY cursory look at the document. I don't have the time or the gumption to nit-pick the thing.

We have carefully reviewed our options under the rules and believe we have identified the best approach. Our plan is as follows:

In English: They say here that they are going to abide by the rules of the committee.

1) Pull the majority along as far as we can on issues that may lead to major new disclosures regarding improper or questionable conduct by administration officials. We are having some success in that regard.

Here it says that they will use the committee to see if there was any negligence on the part of the Bush Administration. So? That's supposed to be a surprise? Isn't that what this committee is for? They are SUPPOSED to look for shortfalls!
I'll even go a step further...if there are any short-comings, Senator Hatch will be the first to point it out so that it can be corrected. Isn't that what this committee is all about?

Assiduously prepare Democratic 'additional views' to attach to any interim or final reports the committee may release. Committee rules provide this opportunity and we intend to take full advantage of it.

Here it says that if anything suspicious comes out of the committee, they will make sure the other Democratic members of congress know about it.
So? Isn't that what an opposition party is supposed to do? Why are we worried about this? It's not like the Dems are saying they are going to make-up evidence to nail the President. Furthermore, most thinking people don't trust what the Libs say anyhow.

Prepare to launch an independent investigation when it becomes clear we have exhausted the opportunity to usefully collaborate with the majority. We can pull the trigger on an independent investigation of the administration's use of intelligence at any time. But we can only do so once.

Yawn! If they can't find anything in the committee what the hell do they expect to find with an independant investigation? And even if they had one, the Dems don't have the power to subpoena jack-shit.

Intelligence issues are clearly secondary to the public's concern regarding the insurgency in Iraq. Yet we have an important role to play in revealing the misleading, if not flagrantly dishonest, methods and motives of senior administration officials who made the case for unilateral preemptive war.

In English this means that the Dems KNOW that most Americans don't care about this issue and that all this scheming isn't going to lead to much. At best they might score "prove" that the Bush Administration is not forthright.

I'm open to comments...but I don't see the big deal about this memo. It's unsigned and looks like a very crude strategy-plan...but nothing that our side wouldn't do if the shoe was on the other foot. I seriously doubt this has legs.

[Maria S]

As the presidential election gets closer, there's no telling what kind of garbage is going to be thrown at President Bush et al...seems to be this is just penny-ante stuff compared to what WILL be coming. Especially if Hillary Clinton gets in the race.

[TomGuy]

Britt now talking about this memo on his program on FoxNew.

[MHGinTN]

Okay, here's your girl in action! Think Hatellary wrote the memo and floated it through her stooge, Mikulsky?

[Qwinn]

Someone earlier suggested the nickname "Memogate" for this scandal. Much too general. If you really needed to use the tired old "-gate" suffix, I would suggest "Intelgate". More specific, and more incriminating.

Qwinn

[madison10]

There's alot of assuming going on. What if the Dems planted it, as in, only gave it to one person to test his/her loyalty, but the actions in the memo are not the Dems intentions?

[TomGuy]

FoxNews: Rockerfeller--from a wastebasket; draft; never approved [can you say backpeddling?].

[Saundra Duffy]

The House Intelligence Committee had a certain democrat member - GARY CONDIT - sitting on it.

"We have not forgotten; Gary Condit's rotten!" WHO KILLED CHANDRA LEVY?!

[ladyinred]

A great scoop.
Will it have legs?
Only with Hannity and us, the major media will ignore it, as they will be part of it.

[GreyWolf]

2004 is going to be a long, frustrating, and busy year. The liberals will not miss one dirty trick in their scummy playbook. Everyone needs to get plenty of rest, enjoy the holidays, and be ready for one hell of a battle after the first of the year.

[nutmeg]

FoxFan ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my FoxFan list. *Warning: This can be a high-volume ping list at times.

[RaceBannon]

bump for later

heard it live, went through too much radio station loss of signal to hear it read!

[Don Corleone]

Isn't Shrillery on that committee?

[Texas Deer Hunter]

BTT

[SallieAnn]

I heard it on my way home from work. You can read the memo on www.newsmax.com. This stinks of Hillary,Daschle,Schumer, and Rockefeller. There's supposed to be more on Hannity and Colmes tonight. It's a direct ethics violation, and somebody's gonna get nailed for this memo....gee, I hope it's her....

[rintense]

This has Hillary, hubby, and the DNC written all over it. I hope to high heaven that she is the one who did this. Count down to perp walk!!!!! Naturally, she'll say it's the vast right-wing conspiracy...

[CGVet58]

yes, it can grow legs - here's the orig fm here, and fm newsmax:

Dem Intel Committee Memo Reveals Anti-Bush Plot
NewsMax ^ | 11/4/03 | Limbacher


Posted on 11/04/2003 4:56 PM EST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Edited on 11/04/2003 5:47 PM EST by Admin Moderator. [history]


A memo circulated among Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence shows the committee's minority plotting to use classified information against the White House in next year's presidential campaign.

The document, obtained and disclosed by nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity Tuesday afternoon, suggests that the top priority among senior Democrats entrusted with guarding the nation's security is instead driving the Bush administration from power based on claims it exaggerated intelligence on the threat posed by Iraq.

The memo as reported by Hannity reads as follows:

"We have carefully reviewed our options under the rules and believe we have identified the best approach. Our plan is as follows:

"1) Pull the majority along as far as we can on issues that may lead to major new disclosures regarding improper or questionable conduct by administration officials. We are having some success in that regard.

"For example, in addition to the President's State of the Union speech, the chairman [Sen. Pat Roberts] has agreed to look at the activities of the office of the Secretary of Defense, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, as well as Secretary Bolton's office at the State Department.

"The fact that the chairman supports our investigations into these offices and cosigns our requests for information is helpful and potentially crucial. We don't know what we will find but our prospects for getting the access we seek is far greater when we have the backing of the majority. [We can verbally mention some of the intriguing leads we are pursuing.]

"2) Assiduously prepare Democratic 'additional views' to attach to any interim or final reports the committee may release. Committee rules provide this opportunity and we intend to take full advantage of it.

"In that regard we may have already compiled all the public statements on Iraq made by senior administration officials. We will identify the most exaggerated claims. We will contrast them with the intelligence estimates that have since been declassified. Our additional views will also, among other things, castigate the majority for seeking to limit the scope of the inquiry.

"The Democrats will then be in a strong position to reopen the question of establishing an Independent Commission [i.e., the Corzine Amendment.]

"3) Prepare to launch an independent investigation when it becomes clear we have exhausted the opportunity to usefully collaborate with the majority. We can pull the trigger on an independent investigation of the administration's use of intelligence at any time. But we can only do so once.

"The best time to do so will probably be next year, either:

"A) After we have already released our additional views on an interim report, thereby providing as many as three opportunities to make our case to the public. Additional views on the interim report (1). The announcement of our independent investigation (2). And (3) additional views on the final investigation. Or:

"B) Once we identify solid leads the majority does not want to pursue, we would attract more coverage and have greater credibility in that context than one in which we simply launch an independent investigation based on principled but vague notions regarding the use of intelligence.

"In the meantime, even without a specifically authorized independent investigation, we continue to act independently when we encounter footdragging on the part of the majority. For example, the FBI Niger investigation was done solely at the request of the vice chairman. We have independently submitted written requests to the DOD and we are preparing further independent requests for information.

"SUMMARY: Intelligence issues are clearly secondary to the public's concern regarding the insurgency in Iraq. Yet we have an important role to play in revealing the misleading, if not flagrantly dishonest, methods and motives of senior administration officials who made the case for unilateral preemptive war.

"The approach outlined above seems to offer the best prospect for exposing the administration's dubious motives." [End of Memo Excerpt.]

The revelation that Democrats are using the intelligence committee to conduct opposition research for the coming presidential campaign demands an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee, Hannity said.