Politco:GOP trying dissuade Dems in investigation torture by portraying Pelosi as an “an accomplice"

[sabra]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22348.html

<snip>

The GOP’s goal, according to congressional Republicans, is to dissuade Democrats from pursuing an inquiry that could lead to the prosecution of Bush administration officials by making it clear to Democrats that Pelosi and other lawmakers would have to testify, too.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, said in an interview that if Pelosi failed to object to the techniques at the time, she was “an enabler” and “an accomplice” if any crimes were committed. If an investigation goes forward, King said, Pelosi should be forced to divulge what she knew.

...

Still, Republicans believe they now have Pelosi caught in a jam: To satisfy her liberal base, she’s got to keep pressing for an investigation into potential crimes by the Bush administration. But if Republicans can score points with the “what did she know and when did she know it?” question, Pelosi also may have an interest in putting this issue aside.

“I’ll be very curious to see how she deals with it,” said a senior House GOP aide. “Does she stop talking about it and piss off her left?”

Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for the speaker, said Saturday that Republicans are “trying to politicize intelligence with irresponsible actions” and that Pelosi still supports an inquiry into the use of the interrogation techniques. The House and Senate intelligence committees have launched internal reviews, but it’s unclear whether they will expand beyond classified inquiries.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. There's a huge number of folks here that agree with the GOP and their strategy.

[Winterblues]

4. There is Only one solution...An Independent Prosecutor/Investigator

Why should this even be a Partisan issue. Torture should not be a Partisan issue so let's get it out of Politicas and have it completely Independent..What could be their concern with that?

[ClassWarrior]

2. That tactic might work on corrupt, self-serving Rape-Publicans. But...

...Progressives support justice, wherever it might lead.

BRING IT ON.

NGU.

[jsamuel]

3. duh

[randr]

5. If history repeats itself

The Democrat will take the fall and the Repugs will walk.
Pelosi will be blamed for failing to stop Bush and Co. from committing crimes.

[OHdem10]

6. I think we knew this from the start. Take the case to court and

trot out all the Democrats who supported or appeared to support
GWB Policies. A lot of Democrats were aware and briefed. Nancy
is the obvious and best known target.

I am not approving GOP strategy---I think the whole issue will become
a circus in which Democratic Hypocrasy is illustrated. More harm
than good will take place, only distracting from the Democratic
Plans to get something done.

I have said all along--If the GOP and Bush were to be taken to task
it had to happen at the time to be effective. Our Party until 2006
after the people turned against the war--our party remained silent
at least giving tacit approval.(I am referring to Dems on the Hill).

[redqueen]

7. They know full well those briefings were classified,

and they had the Justice Dept. packed with their torture-loving cronies.

What a weak plan... but I guess they're kinda running low on options now.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. If Pelosi or any other Dem is complicit, they should go down as well.

This is ridiculous - it transcends political party. It is part of the fabric of our culture and our nation. We must follow this wherever it leads and do what needs to be done.

[emulatorloo]

9. Of course. But I am not so sure Pelosi is "complicit" - too many Repubs pointing fingers

At her. That's republican 101 -- accuse others of what you are guilty of.

Like when Cheney told us in 2004 that Kerry had no moral center or sense of right and wrong.

Like when Karl Rove tells us that Obama is the most divisive President ever.

There is something fishy about it, and I think the article is pretty good at outlining what their tactic is. So I am skeptical about this.

[emulatorloo]

10. P.S. Take a look at Kentuck's thread too.

This "strategy" of the Republicans is just suspect. Again if Dems were involved they should go down. I just am skeptical of what the Repubs are up to.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5630202

QUOTE:

What exactly are the Repubs saying that Pelosi is guilty of doing?

This puzzles me. If Bush and Cheney were not guilty of torture, as they say, then what exactly are they saying that Pelosi is guilty of doing??

Or are they trying to say something else entirely?

Are they saying that Bush and Cheney are guilty of torture but so are several Democrats, including Pelosi, Rockefeller, and Harman? And if you are going to investigate Bush and Cheney for their crimes, then you have to investigate Pelosi also?

It is a totally irrational and illogical argument. They may have given the orders to torture but those that might have been told about it are equally guilty to those that physically did it or gave the orders to do it? Is that what they are trying to say?

And if Pelosi knew, does that mean that Bush and Cheney are no longer guilty? Because they told a Democrat or two about what their plans were to torture prisoners, then that makes it all OK? It is difficult for me to imagine people that think like this actually leading our nation...