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."

[EGPWS]

They're getting desperate...Again

[OXENinFLA]

Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;Stolen;

[NYC Republican]

You've got your hands full. Good luck!

[N. Theknow]

I'm soooo confused!!! I thought it was gay men that were queens not lesbians?!?!?! ;-)

Try being an Episcopalian, they don't see the difference between a bishop and a queen.

[OXENinFLA]

Reid:"CAN'T WE JUST GO HOME FOR THE WEEKEND!"

He Kinda said that.

[NYC Republican]

Kyle is on Hannity's radio show saying that everyone's emails, faxes and phones calls are making a difference!

He said the Dems would love to bury this, but because of talk radio, they can't sweep this under the rug!

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"I say give Hatch a rifle and make him walk down Baghdad streets for a couple of months."

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

If you did, you better buy him a case of "Depends". Because I'm quite sure he would "soil" himself.

FRegards,

[OXENinFLA]

Frist:"Who Wrote the memo and who was the recipient?

And the dens still will not DISAVOW the memo."

[DarthVader]

Their whining counter attacks will get them nowhere. They have gone to far this time. They have opened Pandora's Box and its too late. They are going to feel the fury of the nation.

[linn37]

who cares how it was obtained,whats important is what it said!

[NYC Republican]

They're going to fight back on the filibuster/judge issue!!!

[Mo1]

Kyle .. Next week they ARE going for a Filibuster .. YEAAAA!!!

[StriperSniper]

Press here ;-)

[LaGrone]

If we see the Judicial Nominees start getting to the Senate floor for a vote, we will know what the Republicans got out of the 'Rats.

If they pooh pooh this off like it doesn't matter, then Lord help this country.

Some Democrat hide needs to come off for this one. A staff firing, a committee resignation, something, anYTHING!! PLEASE!!!!!

[OXENinFLA]

I've heard 30hrs. of debate.

[NYC Republican]

???

[OXENinFLA]

On just the 4 judges.

[Wait4Truth]

I have been faxing and emailing all day. If Kyl says this is starting to have an effect, let's bombard the hell out of them! We can not allow this to be swept under the rug. LET'S ROLL, everybody!

[Mo1]

Question .. during a Filibuster .. they can talk about anything right??

[nightdriver]

"Oh no! Not "Serious Criticism"! What's next, prolonged finger wagging?"

No. Finger wagging is a bit too harsh for the pubbies to dish out.

What comes next is furious hand-wringing.

Tryng to kiss a secretary is reason to toss a republican (Packwood) out of the senate, but drowning an aide in your car (Kennedy) is only and "unfortunate incident," for a democRAT.