Hatch Warning: Sen. Rockefeller Risks 'Serious Criticism' for Memogate

NewsMax.com ^ | Friday Nov. 7, 2003 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[jmstein7]

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Ut., said Thursday that Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga, was right to charge this week that a memo outlining plans by Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats to politicize Iraq war intelligence borders on "treason."

But the Utah Republican defended the committee's ranking Democrat, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, saying he shouldn't have to resign as the committee's vice chairman even if he's found have authorized staffers to prepare the bombshell document.

Asked about Sen. Miller's comment on Wednesday that the memo was "treason's first cousin" and that "heads should roll" over the episode, Sen. Hatch told radio host Sean Hannity, "I happen to love Zell Miller and I do agree with that because bad intelligence results in the deaths of Democrats and Republicans - in other words, our people."

But Hatch refused to call for disciplinary action against ranking Democrat Rockefeller, recommending instead that Republicans "publicly ask the Democrats how they reconcile [preparing such a memo] with the critical need for non-partisanship."

When Hannity said that his sources had identified Rockefeller as being responsible for the memo, Sen. Hatch turned defensive.

Noting that the West Virginia Democrat "has worked pretty well with [Committee Chairman] Pat Roberts," the Utah Republican said, "I really doubt that Sen. Rockefeller would have anything to do with trying to make [the Committee's investigation] that partisan."

Asked what would happen if it turned out that Rockefeller was implicated in the memo scandal, Hatch replied, "Well, it's a serious issue. I mean, it would be, you know - he would be seriously criticized if that were the case."

"I like Sen. Rockefeller very much but, I mean, that wouldn't be right," he added.

Despite the national security breach, Hatch said it would be unwise for the White House to stop cooperating with committee Democrats, saying he feared that the press wouldn't permit it.

"The can't [stop cooperating] because the major media in this country . . . is always on [the Democrats'] side and they don't ever get called to account," he complained. "If [Republicans] did something like that it would be front page headlines all over the country. You know that."

[woodyinscc]

My fear is that they will use the staffer as a scape goat, sweep the real culprits under the rug, and resume business as usual.!!

[mo]

We ought mail him a jar of testosterone...

[Patriotic Bostonian]

I'm listening to Kyl now and all he is doing is confirming that they are all a bunch of cowards. They just don't get it and until they do we are all in danger. I think I'll go visit my youngest grandson because he will help me to calm down. Thanks Judith Anne for your great work on this thread.

[OXENinFLA]

I hope they don't wait until MON. to put the Congressional Record up.

[Freemyland]

Wow. I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks for the updates. I am at work and don't have access to TV. Hopefully, there will be a replay later. I may have to pop me some popcorn and enjoy.

[DarthVader]

They are finally getting the message. The RNC and NRSC have been getting swamped with calls from pissed off people everywhere. The staffers told me that they have never heard such nasty backlash. Nearly every caller told them to pass on to the Republican leadership to get nasty on this one and put it into perspective. Everybody should keep the heat on and high. We must UTTERLY DESTROY the domestic enemies of our country.

[RandallFlagg]

Kyl's putting me to sleep. We need to get a really pissed Senator out there on our side.

[EGPWS]

Hannity is on this too.

My mind is about to implode!

Got that too! I hear ya', my selective hearing was just tossed out the window! : o

[NYC Republican]

Thanks, will do.

[nothingnew]

Hatch is the Claude Raines (Senator) character in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

FMCDH

[N. Theknow]

I don't mean to be flippant, it's just that the Republicans have been handed so many opportunities to land big fish and they always practice "catch-and-release."

[Judith Anne]

Kyl: Talked about previous chairmen saying that committee cannot function if used for political ends.

Memo suggests that dems plan to castigate the majority and misuse the process of the report, BEFORE EVEN GETTING IT.

Going to show what the memo says, right now.

Says it's a statement of a plan, NOT options.

[Godfollow]

Hatch is defending the indefensible? Unbelievable. The whole Senate is out to destroy this nation.

[EllaMinnow]

Thanks for the CSPAN2 heads up! This is good!

BTW, Senator Roberts will be on Fox News Sunday.

[cars for sale]

watch carefully all ..each senator FOR THE RECORD ON FILE is cutting the dems at the knees,ankles and toes. Roberts said TREASON

[Judith Anne]

Kyl: States NO MEMBER can verbally mention ANYTHING.

Talks about independent commission and pulling the trigger.

Reads the last paragraph, says dems have prejudged, and it's their mantra. "Bush must be exposed" even if it means destroying the committee.

Memo MUST be disavowed by Dems.

Now a frikken dem.

[RandallFlagg]

Reid's up now.

[OXENinFLA]

I can't stand Reid!!!

He talks like he's speaking to a 4yr. old

[cars for sale]

says it was STOLEN AND DEMANDS TO KNOW HOW OBTAINED
wowowowowowow

[OXENinFLA]

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!


HOW DID THE RIGHT GET THE MEMO?????


I knew this was coming.