Posted on 04/21/2009 4:25:47 PM PDT by SmithL
Rep. Jane Harman, who has come under criticism for what she said in apparently wiretapped conversations with two pro-Israel lobbyists under investigation for espionage, went on CNN today to defend herself, calling the government wiretaps an "abuse of power."
"And let's see who else was wiretapped. I mean lots of members of Congress talk to advocacy organizations. My phone is ringing off the hook in my office from worried members who are asking whether I think it could have happened to them. I think this is an abuse of power," she told Wolf Blitzer in an CNN interview.
The story of Harman's conversations was the top story in today's New York Times, which reported, "One official who has seen transcripts of several wiretapped calls said she appeared to agree to intercede (on behalf of the pro-Israel lobbyists) in exchange for help in persuading party leaders to give her the powerful post" of Intelligence Committee chairman.
Harman did not address that specific accusation, calling it "old, stale" and "discredited."
"Well, I, frankly, think my name is clear. My conscience is certainly clear," she said.
She called on the Justice Department to release the full transcripts of her conversations.
"I want the government to release those transcripts without redaction, without crossing out names. And then I will make them available to the public," she said.
Here's a complete transcript of Harman's CNN appearance, provided by CNN:
BLITZER: Let's talk to Jane Harman, the Congresswoman from California. She's here in THE SITUATION ROOM. Thanks very much for coming in.
REP. JANE HARMAN, (D), CALIFORNIA: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Do you remember any such conversation with an Israeli or Israeli agent representing AIPAC, . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Suggest scheming Congresscritters use throw away cell phones like their buddies in the Mexican drug cartels do.
Comrade 0bama is willing to even put Democrats in the hot seat, if they show any support of the J E W S.
Harman: “it’s Bush’s fault”
Release the tapes.
Well, Subtract ONE DEMOCRAT from the BHO unconditional support side.
Which is worse for Congress....wiretapping calls from international citizens -OR- Congress members ?
BHO still has friends in South America but he is losing the Fast at home and in DC.
You got caught red-handed... abuse of power is when the WH releases memos accusing honorably released soldiers as extremists... abuse of power is when the FBI is watching the Tea parties... abuse of power is spending money that we don't have and taxing us to death...
Unfortunately they will expose another part of our intelligence gathering to the world as they cat fight.
Does anyone else remember Pelosi screwed Harman out of the chairmanship?
That’s one “Abuse of Power” by the Whitehouse wire tappers.
Anyone else in congress confident BHOle and Company NOT listening in ?
Its a Blgojavich world out there in Politics.
What is being missed here is that if the tap was done on the other end (not her end) then her argument that wiretapping Congress is ‘an abuse of power’ is absolutely absurd. Assuming she doesn’t think she is above the law. /sarcasm
actually i thought harman was pretty reasonable....well, as much as THEY are, anyway. pelosi screwed her over big-time. harman seemed to be someone who actually cared about the security of the country. i think this is a pelosi plot.
Perhaps Rep Jane should watch this video from You Tube showing how easy it is to get into other cell phones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCyKcoDaofg
yep-these idiots have learned the “shakedown” routine from the mob, but they didn’t learn the “don’t talk on the phone, don’t write anything down” lesson”.
I thought Harman was very reasonable too. Obviously way to reasonable for Pelosi. I would not doubt a Pelosi connection.
She's a Representative, not a Senator. He's got plenty of Representatives and can afford to toss a few to meet some other political goal.
Angry Voters can Toss her back.....if BHO is Threatening others using the “Chicago” style Intimidation.
BHO doesn’t have an INNOCENT background.....People can Dig dirt on him....But this “spying” is boderline .....She may fight back.
Re your post 17: I agree its despicable and dangerous to leak NSA wiretaps. My comment expresses my sense that everything and everyone, even a Democrat Congressman or two, is expendable in the service of the One.
Yep....CONGRESS people are expendable....But BHO is too big for his Britches if he thinks HE controls who goes/stays in Congress.
LOCAL voters RULE ....not BHO....hes is showing Arrogance more and more.
I remember. This is definitely payback for something...just not sure why or from whom.
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