Dems blast White House on leak probe

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/10/09/leak.main/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Four leading Democratic senators accused the White House on Thursday of bungling a probe into the leak of an undercover CIA officer's name in what the outed operative's husband calls an attempt at political intimidation.

In a letter to President Bush, Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and three others said the White House has made "at least five serious missteps" in the leak probe so far.

The biggest is leaving Attorney General John Ashcroft in charge of the probe rather than naming a special prosecutor to handle it, as they have called for previously, they said.

"We are at risk of seeing this investigation so compromised that those responsible for this national security breach will never be identified and prosecuted," the senators wrote.

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[Flying_Pig]

1. Well, at least the Dems are trying to hammer this..

I wonder if they'll have any more luck than they did with 9/11, Enron, and Halliburton, or if the snakes will slither into the bushes again, unscathed?

[Catherine Vincent]

2. I swear, if this administration gets away with yet another crime

I don't know what I'm goanna do!:mad: :mad: :mad:

[arwalden]

3. Are We Approaching A Watergate Magnitude Yet?

Or is this just a small ripple that will be quickly forgotten?

-- Allen

[Maccagirl]

4. A tiny ripple

It's obvious now that the majority of Americans don't give a shit. I'd like to offer my sincere apology to all who have given their lives (whether in uniform or civilian) to protect our freedom. The lack of outrage (or even feigned interest) speaks volumes. Go ahead and wave your flags and yell "God Bless America" at the top of your lungs you liars and hypocrites.

[young_at_heart]

5. Remember how Faux News hammered 24/7 on Gary Condit?

That scandal intensified every day. One can only hope that the media will measure up to the task on this VERY important scandal!

[cliss]

6. They're playing the waiting game

They know that if they stall long enough, people will just forget, or get bored with the whole notion (oh, she's still alive, isnt' she? so quit the sniveling).

Americans have a notoriously short attention span. I'd like to call it National ADHD. They will give any hot news story about a week of their attention, and then they are quickly looking for something else.

So....they will wait...they will stall...maybe produce some crumb to throw at the people running the investigation, probably a false lead. Like maybe the cell phone records from some intern....

and just stall some more. Or, try a diversionary tactic. If anything, these guys know their constituents.

[Jazzgirl]

7. I don't get it

I noticed that the outrage in the press has died down seriously. Its like nobody cares about it anymore. I have lost so much faith in the citizens (ha!) of this country.... :-(

Jazzgirl

[diplomats]

11. Now that the recall is over

we'll have to see if it returns. I think this is a long-term issue.

[lindashaw]

8. If you feel strongly about this, e-mail Dana Priest at the Washington

Post. She's done the best investigative journalism on this, and I already sent a note encouraging her not to give up.

[e-mail]

or

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/interact/longterm/stfbio/wpemail

[diplomats]

9. This could be good news

Remember in the days after the story broke the Dems decided to back away so they wouldn't be seen as partisan. Maybe this letter is a sign that's not a problem anymore. And I think it's significant Daschle is one of the signatories, since he's minority leader.

[goforit]

10. No check and balance.........no justice!!!

I don't see anyone physically trying to arrest these thugs yet!

And talk is cheap!!!

[Guaranteed]

12. Don't worry folks. You forget who's pushing this whole thing:

....none other than the C.I.A. They'll make sure the Bushees get theirs, one way or another.

[maggrwaggr]

13. Oh great, Daschle wrote an angry letter! Bush is shaking in his boots

I'm sure.

Fucking wimpy ass motherfucker, the typical guy getting the sand kicked on him by the bully.

Step aside, Daschle, let someone with some testosterone take your place.

Fool. And we wonder why we're getting bulldozed to dust?

[T Bone]

14. I think Dasclhe steps up quite often and well

The American media and press is so intimidated and threatened by the GOP that the repetition, and magnification just never happens. In fact the press is so cowed by the fascists in the white house and the gop that they help shout down Daschle most of the time...

We are not goners yet, but they are closing in on us, I worry.

If we lose this republic it will be because of the pussies in the press.

[wtmusic]

15. RELAX...there are a LOT of emails to erase!!

:-)

[juajen]

16. I don't get this

Didn't I read on DU that Rep. Conyers wrote a letter to * stating that the Federal Law on this was that THERE HAD TO BE A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR APPOINTED because of three criteria, all of which this incident possessed; and, that Federal Law would not be followed if a special prosecutor was not appointed? I know I didn't dream this. Who knows about this law that Conyers was talking about. I believe his letter put them on notice? Answers anybody?

[leftchick]

17. excellent question...

I only read about the letter here on DU. Has anyone seen the Conyer's letter anywhere on the "TV News"?

[ReadTomPaine]

18. Wouldn't things be sweet if we...

...actually had either the Senate or the House. Grrr.