Politicized Memo Creates Row

Washington Post ^ | November 6, 2003 | Dana Priest

[Peach]

A barely contained partisan squabble over assessing blame for the apparent failure to find chemical and biological weapons in Iraq broke into the open yesterday when Republican senators said they had a memorandum indicating their Democratic colleagues were preparing a campaign to disparage a Senate committee report on the quality of prewar intelligence before it is even completed.

A senior Democrat countered that Republicans had probably stolen the memo from a trash can or a computer file.

[mewzilla]

Did Bond say what, if anything, he's prepared to do about it?

[longtermmemmory]

How to make rockefeller resign for one.

COMITTEE SECURITY NEED TO BE CHECKED NOW!!!

If you can leak a partisan memo, security is very weak.

[mewzilla]

Well, I see his new nickname is Patsy. That should tell him something.

[Carolinamom]

I was out of the room during the last part of his remarks, so I didn't catch anything about his plan for doing anything. Anybody here catch info imparted if any?

[OldFriend]

I called Robert's office yesterday morning and asked the woman how Robert's felt about being stabbed in the back by Rockefeller.

Told her I was horrified by the memo and that the dems put partisanship ahead of national security while our soldiers were in mortal danger.

Please call and ask Roberts to demand Rock be removed from the committee. Especially since it was revealed to have come from rock's office.

[Peach]

Yes, ditto to your thoughts. We need ALL senators working on intelligence matters, not politics. Now more than ever.

[familyofman]

"A plot has been discovered..."

That's a big jump there without answering the questions asked:
1.) Who wrote the memo
2.) Was it a draft or final copy
3.) Who was the memo distributed to (something I think needed for a plot is involvement & cooperation of others)
4.) Who & how was the memo obtained - illegal means to obtain a memo doesn't help the case for non-political (remember Watergate was only a petty theft)
Those that are attacking the demo memo are all putting it in terms of "get the dems" (political) rather than making it an issue of national security. When political terms are used to justify an investigation - it takes away from the argument that the memo was wrong (IMHO). If it is truly a national security issue that has everyone upset, then concentrate on national security & not the political party of the offender. Stick to the point of security, not politics & others will join, but to make it an issue of R vs D just lets it slip into the mud that is all too prevalent in DC. Concern for the country should trump concern for party - right?

[Peach]

Concern for the country is EXACTLY the point.

I believe a Democrat gave a copy of that memo to Sean Hannity. He said we'd be shocked at who gave it to him. We'd hardly be surprised if it was a Republican.

The FACT that certain unknown Democrats are focusing more on taking down the president than intelligence, while we are at war and 2 years after suffering the worst attack on this country's soil, is unacceptable and as Zell Miller said, borders on treason.

You seem to think it is not a plot until we find out who wrote it and whether it was a draft or not, etc. It's a plot no matter who wrote it. It's a plot that was being focused on, whether it was a draft or not.

When police have two major cases they are focusing on, they have to decide where to put their manpower - split on both cases or focused on the case deemed more important. Mistakes can cost lives.

The same here. Focusing AT ALL on plotting how to take down the president, rather than national security can cost lives.

[uncbob]

What does it all matter

Bush and Rowe will continue to play Nice Nice with the democrats in congress

[Peach]

I should have added that even Corzine (D)came quite close to admitting on FNC last night that whomever authorized that memo should resign from the Intelligence Committee.

[cardinal4]

I have been on the phone with various GOP Senate offices in the last 24 hours. This story is dead. None of the Senators has the backbone to do anything. Everytime I get a person, they say,"Ill pass your thoughts on...."

[Peach]

I'm really disappointed, but not surprised. I will make some phone calls as well in between packing.

Wish we could organize a major Freep.

[mathluv]

I have e-mailed both Cornyn and Hutchinson. It is time to ACT like a majority party.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

This article was printed on page A-26 in the Post this morning... I guess this really isn't very significant news according to the geniuses at the Washington Post.

[livesbygrace]

I think it is very telling that it is a Democrat Senator (Zell Miller) who is the most upset and vocal about this. What are our guys afraid of?

[alnick]

Also, who is being more political, the writer of the memo - or those using it now to bash their opposition?

That's a weak argument. In fact, it's ridiculous. Blame the victim for the crime. That's a typical democrat ploy.

[sam_paine]

If it is truly a national security issue that has everyone upset, then concentrate on national security & not the political party of the offender.

Sir, you're being intentionally arbitrary.

• This was a PARTY STRATEGY memo.
• It proposed using the Intel Committee as a POLITICAL TOOL.

You cannot focus on the intelligence implications without being appalled at the political intentions.

Pull yer head outta the sand!

[sam_paine]

Bush and Rowe will continue to play Nice Nice with the democrats in congress

So, Bobby. Tell us how "nice nice" it would've been if a REAL conservative had run, AND LOST against Gore. In fact, just name me a "TRUE CONSERVATIVE" that had even seriously thrown his hat in the ring.

Then tell me, looking at the waste and devastation that is currently the leftist wing of politics, is the country more conservative than it was just 3 years ago???

Damn right it is! And your fearless leader, along with Karl Rove, has been dragging it there kicking and screaming while Buchanan and the "real" conservatives are pulling their hair out in the corner.

Open your freakin eyes!!!!!!!!

[familyofman]

"You cannot focus on the intelligence implications without being appalled at the political intentions."

Oh yes I can, and do. My first priority is country, not party affiliation & you would do well to do the same.

My head is not in the sand, and I don't think yours is either, but being political when attacking others for being political makes no sense, it only detracts from the point trying to be made. A bit of form over substance.

[Onelifetogive]

WTF???

Also, who is being more political, the writer of the memo - or those using it now to bash their opposition?

Who is the bigger criminal, the bank robber, or the police who uses the bank robbery as a reason to arrest the bank robber?

Are you serious???

Which is worse, committing treason, or defending our country from treason?