Repubs accuse (CIA Chief) Hayden as being too close to Democrats - for endorsing Waxman's statement

[sabra]

Me thinks Novak is starting to feel the heat...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/21/AR2007032101788.html

Was She Covert?

By Robert D. Novak
Thursday, March 22, 2007; Page A21

Republican Rep. Peter Hoekstra could hardly believe what he heard on television Friday as he watched a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing. Rep. Henry Waxman, the Democratic committee chairman, said his statement had been approved by the CIA director, Michael Hayden. That included the assertion that Valerie Plame Wilson was a covert CIA operative when her identity was revealed.

As House intelligence committee chairman when Republicans controlled Congress, Hoekstra had tried repeatedly to learn Plame's status from the CIA but got only double talk from Langley. Waxman, 67, the 17-term congressman from Beverly Hills, may be a bully and a partisan. But he is no fool who would misrepresent the director of central intelligence. Waxman was correctly quoting Hayden. But Hayden, in a conference with Hoekstra yesterday, still did not answer whether Plame was covert under the terms of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act.

...

Instead of posing such questions, Waxman said flatly that Plame was covert and cited Hayden as proof. Hayden's endorsement of Waxman's statement astounded Republicans whose queries about her had been rebuffed by the agency. That confirmed Republican suspicions that Hayden is too close to Democrats.

...

Waxman relied on his support from Hayden. When Hayden's role was pointed out to one of the president's most important aides, there was no response. The White House from the start has treated the Plame leak as a criminal case not to be commented on. The Democrats still consider it a political blunderbuss, aimed at Karl Rove and his boss.

[Justice]

1. I 'd like to know what Hayden actually said at the press conference

[sabra]

2. they are scrambling now that all of their Plame leak talking points have been

discredited...

[Trajan]

3. So when the Repukes handpick someone ....

Whom they think is a perfect fit for their extremist right wing agenda, they accuss him of being 'too close' to Democrats when he speaks something obvious and rational ? ....

Sheeesh .... Wasnt he 'too close' to the damned repukes to begin with ? ....

What fucking inane hypocrites .....

[John Q. Citizen]

4. Novak is just trying to suggest that Plames status is a political scam. It won't

work.

Plame is America's sweetheart.

[WinkyDink]

14. Which only adds to the blunder of their suggesting Toensing as her counter-part!

She's NOBODY'S sweetheart! (Joe? Like he wouldn't prefer Valerie! ;) )

[WinkyDink]

15. oops

[Elwood P Dowd]

5. Are they trying to pressure the CIA into saying Plame is lying?

The really need the "glorified secretary" story to stick.

[robinlynne]

6. They let Novak write about Valerie Plame again?

[Leopolds Ghost]

11. It would be nice to know why papers such as the Post feel legally secure in allowing Novak

To continue appearing in their pages to comment directly on peoples'
livelihoods, in libelious fashion that has already exposed an entire
covert organization and cost people thair jobs -- if not lives.

Shouldn't the Post, or UPSyn, worry about continuing to endorse
his methods by publishing them?

Why did Dan Rather get fired? Why did Howard Kurtz (Post media
correspondent) suggest Novak was right -- and call for Dan Rather
to be drummed out of television?

Interesting, no?

[htuttle]

7. A General. Who used to run the NSA. Who was appointed to run the CIA by a Republican President.

Too close to Democrats?

Do the Republicans now require the sacrifice of one's first born to show loyalty, or what?

[rocktivity]

8. Written by very guy who printed the leak

Arrogance unto the gods, the Greeks called it.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Kagemusha]

9. Forget for IIPA purposes, how about for the purpose of America's security?

How about THAT? Or does that just not matter at all? Wait... I answered my own question.

Jerk.

[Leopolds Ghost]

10. Hee Hee! Bush can't HIRE a civil officer willing to cover ass for him anymore.

[underpants]

12. Douchebag of liberty

[Marie26]

13. Why is this man still published?

Jeez!