Cover For Pelosi / Less Hope, No Change

CIA head Leon Panetta, a Democrat from California, apparently testified that the CIA misled Congress about something, which has given some Democrats an opportunity to claim vindication for Nancy Pelosi.  [ABC's Note poo-poohs this - see MORE,below.]

From the Times:

WASHINGTON — The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Leon E. Panetta, has told the House Intelligence Committee in closed-door testimony that the C.I.A. concealed “significant actions” from Congress from 2001 until late last month, seven Democratic committee members said.

In a June 26 letter to Mr. Panetta discussing his testimony, Democrats said that the agency had “misled members” of Congress for eight years about the classified matters, which the letter did not disclose. “This is similar to other deceptions of which we are aware from other recent periods,” said the letter, made public late Wednesday by Representative Rush D. Holt, Democrat of New Jersey, one of the signers.

The WSJ reports a vague dissent from Republican Peter Hoekstra:

Some U.S. officials disputed the Democrats' letter's characterization of Mr. Panetta's comments. One said Mr. Panetta informed the committee of a matter "that hadn't been appropriately briefed in the past" but didn't attribute any motives.

A spokesman for Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, the House Intelligence Committee's top Republican, countered the Democrats' characterization of Mr. Panetta's June 24 statements to the panel. "I don't think he would share that particular recollection," said Mr. Hoekstra's spokesman Jamal Ware.

My question - there are 13 Democrats on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.  OK, it's summertime and maybe not every member attends every hearing, but still we wonder - are there Democrats who attended the hearing that refused to sign the letter, or do seven protestors (Reyes signed a separate letter) represent a clean partisan sweep of the hearing quorum?

The Committee schedule provides no clues - there was a subcommittee briefing on technology on June 25 but, per the WSJ, the relevant Panetta briefing ocurred on June 24.

Meanwhile, back on the "The more we hope the less it changes" front, Obama is not supportive of greater Congressional oversight of the CIA:

In a related development, President Obama threatened to veto the pending Intelligence Authorization Bill if it included a provision that would allow information about covert actions to be given to the entire House and Senate Intelligence Committees, rather than the so-called Gang of Eight — the Democratic and Republican leaders of both houses of Congress and the two Intelligence Committees.

A White House statement released on Wednesday said the proposed expansion of briefings would undermine “a long tradition spanning decades of comity between the branches regarding intelligence matters.” Democrats have complained that under President George W. Bush, entire programs were hidden from most committee members for years.

Sandy Levinson of Balkinization deplores this predictable Executive power hold.

MORE:  From the ABC Note:

CIA Spat: Pelosi Vindicated? Not Quite

...

At issue is a hastily arranged classified briefing by Panetta to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on June 24. Panetta called the briefing to inform the committee about a covert CIA operation that had begun shortly after September 11, 20001. Panetta himself had just found out about the program and believed Congress should have been informed of it long ago.

The covert operation in question was counter-terrorism program. Intelligence officials tell me it has nothing to do with waterboarding or interrogation, but it was controversial enough that the CIA discontinued it last month, at about the time Panetta first learned of it.

House intelligence chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, is unhappy that the CIA conducted the program for nearly eight years before Panetta told Congress about it on June 24.

As to the Pelosi-Panetta gap:

And, in fact, not even Reyes, the Democratic chairman of the intelligence committee, sees this as vindication for Pelosi.

In a statement released last night, Reyes tried to navigate his way to a position somewhere between Panetta and Pelosi. He says he agrees with Panetta that "the Agency does not and will not lie to Congress ... but, in rare instances, certain officers have not adhered to the high standards held, as a rule, by the CIA with respect to truthfulness in reporting."

That's a far cry from Pelosi's statement in May that "they mislead us all the time," but it leaves open the possibility they could have fallen short of those "high standards" of "truthfulness in reporting" when they briefed Pelosi back in September 2002.

Comments

[bad]

Looks like some people owe W a big, fat apology.

[clarice]

The only reason Reyes is chairman is because Nancy put that nincompoop there after there was a huge stink about Hastings being given that slot. He's a dope who owes everything to Nancy who probably wrote the letter herself with crayon and brown paper.

[Cecil Turner]

Secret briefing? Public report in NY Times to follow. Can't imagine why the intel community would be reluctant to brief more members of Congress. Ain't like the Dem leadership can keep from spilling it, anyway.

(Maybe the high-profile leakers are unhappy because it cheapens the value of their whisperings. That'd at least make sense.)

[narciso]

Let us not forget that they forced Harman from holding the post, they tried to stigmatize her with that tie to the AIPAC
witchhunt, which evaporated and she was
'ironically' the only one who was qualified
to have the job.

[hrtshpdbox]

"...a long tradition spanning decades of comity between the branches regarding intelligence matters."

Dimes to donuts the Times spells it "comedy".

[Mike Myers]

La Pelosi claims she was "misled" in a single hearing several years ago; she throws in the allegation that "they do it all the time".

Panetta comes in and says that the CIA misled or "inappropriately briefed" Congresscritters on 7 occasions.

There's no statement that one of those occasions involved the Pelosi briefing in question--but miraculously, La Pelosi is now vindicated?

I'm missing a logic link here.

[GMax]

Ah there is your problem. You were confused. You thought that when a Democrat decides to play politics with national security matters, that logic would have anything to do with the whole scheme. It does not and would not. Oil and water dont mix either, btw.

[Bill in AZ]

Pelosi is kicking Panetta's shins under the table, whispering "no, you idiot, that's the covert unit we set up to undermine the Bush administration". Any more MJ coverage today?

[stan]

When Panetta was chief of staff for Clinton's WH and Podesta was his asst, there was sworn testimony that they advised witnessess to obstruct justice in several lawsuits (shred docs, hide files, refuse to answer questions, etc.). If he'd go to such lengths to play ball for the team then, no one should be surprised that he would play ball for the team now. (see e.g. Sandy Berger)

Selling out the CIA is nothing.

[Is it just for the moment, anyway?]

The update is very interesting. So what's it all about, Alfie?

[Danube of Thought]

Tough to read and post from the Kona Coast with only my trusty I-phone, but please do check out Ras today--a staggering minus eight. Independents are dropping this fraud like a hot rock. November 2010 could be very interesting indeed. Aloha.

[clarice]

Well. if that is what he did here, he's misunderestimating the power of the folks at Langley to fry his ass--and Pelosi's.

[Oh, sorry, it was a good idea, folks, that worked.]

Re: Pelosi punting Panetta's parts; it is a little curious that they've not revealed the object of such secrecy. If it would bash Bush, they would have. Why not?

[matt]

I have just been vilified on Political Wire. It made my day.

The news does nothing to address Pelosi's affirmation that she was not briefed. Instead this can be read as more bait and switch political maneuvering. I do so hope the other show drops soon.

[bad]

That's why we know W is owed an apology, Kim.

[These Dems are a dangerous bunch.]

Right, Bad, and now to preserve Nancy's fancy rectitude, we pitch another piece of artillery over the lee bulwark.

[Old Dad]

I truly have great pity for the many patriotic professionals in the CIA who (it's my understanding) swear an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution. That same document commands the Legislative Branch to oversee the Executive. One small problem, the Legislative Branch is packed with liars and fools who will happily destroy the Executive on a whim if it suits them

Puts the CIA in a helluva spot don't you think?

[Mickey]

So if this information came out on June 24th, how did Pelosi know it to claim they always lie to Congress back in May? It should not vindicate her accusation.

[RichatUF]

So the CIA ended a program a month or so before Penetta briefed Congress which didn't involve waterboarding or interrogation and this absolves Queen Pelosi I?

I'm confused. And how can Leon "re-build" moral at the Agency (which should be sky high because they got what they wanted-weak, liberal Democrats in the White House and Congress) when he is going to Congress to undermine it?

[Panetta's packing a PB&J and eating it alone.]

Yeah, Rich, Panetta's hired a taster, but he can't taste everything.

[RichatUF]

It wouldn't break my heart to see the CIA de-clawed, then disbanded, but I hope they take the whole Pelosi wing of the Democrat Party with them.

[Slartibartfast]

Panetta called the briefing to inform the committee about a covert CIA operation that had begun shortly after September 11, 20001. Panetta himself had just found out about the program and believed Congress should have been informed of it long ago.

They've inadvertently given the game away, and the game is: time travel.

[narciso]

The Russians don't seem very impressed, but I repeat myself, We really dodged a bullet there,

[fdcol63]

The CIA full of liars? Well ... that explains Valerie Plame.

[verner]

Thanks to these goofballs, we're going to get hit again. And AQ will wait until the economy really really sucks this fall.

[centralcal]

Speaking of Pelosi, Mark Knoller twitters this:

speaker Nancy Pelosi shoots down proposal for Congressional Resolution honoring Michael Jackson. Says its unnecessary.

[narciso]

You have to give Mike Murphy some credit, it's hard to beat Kathleen Parker, in the
running for slimy human being.

[Where have you gone, Joe ValPlame'sflame?]

I can hear it now, after the next AQ attack. Calls for the CIA to start lying to the Democratic Congress again.

[Neo]

Strangely missing from this discussion is exactly what topic the intelligence briefings lied about. For all we know, it may have been the size of Saddam Hussein's pen*s.

[bad]

We don't know what the program was because congress wasn't briefed. But now that they know, the entire world will find out soon.

[narciso]

Sometimes I wish my reservations about people didn't turn out to be so correct. You saw how muted my criticism was last January when he was picked(sarc).Before he's through he'll make Stansfield Turner
seem like Allen Dulles.

[Topsecretk9]

They've inadvertently given the game away, and the game is: time travel.

wha?

[tgo99]

It's interesting that it's only been the last 8 years under Bush. Does that imply that there was no wrongdoing under Clinton and others? It just doesn't follow that the entire culture of the CIA would change in 2001.

[Ignatz]

--They've inadvertently given the game away, and the game is: time travel.

wha?--

--September 11, 20001.--

Note the extra digit, TSK9.

[fdcol63]

A spy agency that lies and deceives?

Who knew?

[fdcol63]

"He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future." - Orwell

These people have a plan.

[verner]

From Ras via Drudge. LOVE IT!

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 30% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-eight percent (38%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of –8. The President’s Approval Index rating has fallen six points since release of a disappointing jobs report last week

Maybe we'll be able to dethrone Pelosi in the midterms, and then nobody will care about her lies.

[fdcol63]

Pelosi belongs on the San Francisco or Berkely city council, not in the US Congress.

[Topsecretk9]

Ignatz

ah, kinda slow on the uptake there I am, thanks.

[Topsecretk9]

I wonder, are the Democrats trying to get Panetta out? Because writing a letter they knew would get out is going to nothing for him at Langley I would imagine.

[MayBee]

Good question, Tops.

[Extraneus]

Is punting on Cap & Trade just a way of prioritizing their more important objective, socialized health care?

[verner]

Here's a bold prediction. I don't think they'll get cap and trade OR socialized medicine.

There are just too many blue dogs out there getting angry letters.

Obama is a sinking ship.

[verner]

And I'll add, if he lied about the stimulus, then he's a liar on everything.

And he certainly did tell a whopper to the American people, as they are now finding out.

[PeterUK]

"Obama is a sinking ship."

or

Obama is a stinking skip.

[Rick Ballard]

"Obama is a stinking shi*."

Verner,

Just correcting tpyos for you.

I mark this down to Rahm the Reamed's misplay in "never let a good crisis". The Dem's credentialed morons missed by a tremendous margin in their "analysis" of the probable outcome of the recession.

The 14% unemployment projected in the piece linked by Ranger is not a "worst case" scenario. As OL has noted, the productive class understands what the (D)irty Fascists are doing. There is no reason to invest, no reason to spend, no reason to hire and every reason to dump employees with great alacrity.

I would note that the Goldman Sachs "Friends of Fascism" are unlikely to be able to manipulate markets forever. I would also note that PIMCO's decision to reject "Friend of Fascism" status is an interesting marker. His assessment of the probable outcome wrt the (D)irty Fascist plans seems to have changed.

[J]

The Huffnuts are claiming the program was VP Cheney's personal assassination team, sent out to kill and disappear. It is almost refreshing to dip your toe into that pile of offal and realize they are not connected to the real world.

[verner]

Rick--bad boy LOL.

I think you're right Rick. Just because the average democrat base voter is a dependent sheep doesn't mean that all the dunces that fell for HOPEANDCHANGE are. Their big mistake was in believing.

Well, they promised results...and we've gotten them.

By the way, I just saw an idiot on FoxNews trying to defend the "stimulus" billions allocated for farmers markets and streetlights--so that people can take evening walks in urban areas and eat organic vegetables. If I could have stoned her through the TV set, I would have.

[peter]

I hate to be such a wet blanket on the Rasmussen news, but in my congressional district, the Repubs won't even run someone against the entrenched Democratic hack, Gary "the Hack" Ackerman.

[Donald]

It's amazing the damage Obama is doing to the democratic party and the nation at the same time. If we can just hold on till the new year, he'll be flicking cigarette butts at the help and screaming at Michelle to for god sakes, dress like a lady.

[verner]

Here we go. Conservative dems revolt over healthcare LUN.

So Cheney had a hit team. Gee I miss that ole hard A@@.

[Donald]

Well, he didn't do enough with it I say.

[bad]

If Cheney had a hit team a lot of people still living would be dead.

[Can I row back, or must I wade ashore?]

Well, there are 'populations we don't want too many of' after all.

[verner]

You've got a point Bad.

[bad]

CHECK OUT DRUDGE!!! MICHELLE IS GONNA PUT A PUT A CAP IN HIS ASS!!!

I'll bet Sarkozy made him do it....

[Jane]

Attention JOMers!

LUN is the JOM Tea party bash facebook page.

Check in whether you are coming or not, and let me know when you are showing up and anything else you want.

If I am to be a community organizer I am going to try and make it easy!

[Ranger]

I'll bet Sarkozy made him do it....

Posted by: bad | July 09, 2009 at 05:25 PM

I can't tell if the smirk on Sarkozy's face is:

a) Ha Ha, made you look

or

b) Your wife is going to kill you

[verner]

Jane, I hit the link but only got my own facebook page. then I checked yours and couldn't find it.

I want to join, but can't find it.

[bad]

Hey Ranger! Maybe it was just the French look of admiration for a healthy lifestyle reflected in a healthy physique.

[Jane]

I want to join, but can't find it.

I was afraid of that. It is tough being a moron. Do a search on JOM Tea Party bash and it should come up.

Then post the link here please.

[verner]

OMG bad. You're right. She is gonna put a cap in his butt.

And a blonde no less. Anybody know who she is?

And the expression on Sarko's face is just priceless. I swear, I love the guy.

[MayBee]

It was the look that says, "I *am* going to fire that WH pie chef".

[verner]

Jane, I tried facebook search, and no luck.

Since you're my friend, can you send me an invite?

[Jane]

Okay now try
I hadn't published it

[Ms. Trish]

Jane, I just tried your link and it worked!

[Jane]

YAY! It works!

[verner]

Yay Jane! Not only did I join, I also sent invites.

[bad]

Verner, Clarice says it is reported to be Lula's 16 year old daughter...

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[Nice Ass]

Where the white women at?

[matt]

I wonder if Berlusconi will invite Obama down to his place on Sardinia?

[Mike Myers]

Hey Michelle does dress like a lady--a lady who can afford a $5,800 + alligator handbag made in Italy. Which she carried on a stroll in the woods in Russia.

We call that dressing like a rich b#@ch, out here in the poorer parts of the country (which will soon be just about all of the country, except Washington DC and Chicago).

[clarice]

I think the reason for that supposition is there's a picture of her next to Lula but she may not be--In any event she's a KID.

[bad]

Not to worry, I expect the feminists will straighten out the president on what's appropriate regarding a child.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[bad]

Malia will be sixteen when the next presidential election is in full swing.

[verner]

BaaaRak had better watch it. Those admiring glances at an underaged brazilian blond white girl bootee may cost him a few sista votes--as in Michelle's and his mother in laws.

[bad]

A commenter at Hot Air has coined a new name:

Barack Oboner

[JM Hanes]

How quickly we forget. Democrats only temporarily overcame their distaste for the CIA when they spied a valuable weapon in the war on Bush. They're now reverting to type and trying to put that attack dog of convenience back on the leash before it bites them any further on the butt, themselves. While Obama & Chairman Reyes indicated that there would be no government retribution for Bush era deeds, Obama's underreported promise to provide CIA employees with free lawyering should they be sued must have sent a familiar chill all the way down to the basement.

Things are just getting back to the old normal, as Mr. Reyes' letter">http://video1.washingtontimes.com/video/CIAletter.pdfoo">letter to the CIA, after Obama's publication of the "torture" memos, confirms. His attempt to reassure certainly got off to an awkward start::

Dear Friends and Colleagues: Please find enclosed a letter to the CIA workforce. I would appreciate if you would disseminate it to the CIA workfoce as soon as possible.

Said "workforce" was surely encouraged by his call for reflection, public discourse, and new intimacy:

One important lesson to me from the CIA's interrogation operations involves congressional oversight," wrote Mr. Reyes, Texas Democrat. "I'm going to examine closely ways in which we can change the law to make our own oversight of CIA more meaningful; I want to move from mere notification to real discussion. Good oversight can lead to a partnership, and that's what I am looking to bring about.

Meanwhile, Leon Panetta is a walking study in conflicting interests. I seriously doubt that trying to split the difference, a la Obama, as the head of your own clandestine agency is going to work out any better than coming into the job to crack the whip as a reformer. Porter Goss may even be looking pretty good in retrospect. He's not the one who was telling tales out of school or positioning himself politically at CIA expense. It would be interesting to know precisely where that anti-Bush faction might be in all this.

[PeterUK]

"(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)

She walks by, the men folk stand in rows
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
She winks her eye, the bread slice turn to toast
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
She's got a lot of what they call the most
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)

The girl can't help it she was born to please
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
And if I go to her on my bended knees
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
'Cause I'm hopin' obviously
That someday her answer will be
The girl can't help it 'cause she's in love with me
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)

She'll mess around with every mother's son
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
If I give her good loving she says "baby well done"
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
She'd make my grandpa feel like twenty-one
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)

The girl can't help it she was born to please
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
And if I go to her on my bended knees
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
'Cause I'm hopin' obviously
That someday her answer will be
The girl can't help it 'cause she's in love with me
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it) awh!

(She can't help it, the girl can't help it) (6)

she walks by, the men folk stand and gawp
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
she's got a lot of what they call the most
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
she can wink her eye and the bread slice turn to toast
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)

The girl can't help it she was born to please
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
And if I go to her on my bended knees
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it)
'Cause I'm hopin' obviously
That someday her answer will be
The girl can't help it 'cause she's in love with me
(She can't help it, the girl can't help it) "

But Obama can,a married man with two daughters nearly the same age.The Dirty Old Man!

[PeterUK]

Well Clarice,it looks like you have your issue to stop women voting. Obama is a lech!

[rick]

It amazes me that these congressmen have a closed door meeting supposedly because the info is sensitive and the next thing you know it is out in the NYT. Kinda makes you realize why the briefings are restricted to the Gang of 8.

Would love to see them prosecute the congressman who released this to the NYT.

[JM Hanes]

bad:

You'd almost think that "Second Stimulus" is the caption, wouldn't you? You'd almost think Drudge did that on purpose, wouldn't you?

[clarice]

Seek, and yea shall find...Isn't that how it goes?

I suppose he'll be limping tomorrow and the Washington Post's Robin Givhan who surely must have been given her own guest suite in the WH by now will comment on how MO's black and blue knuckles are the height of chic..

[JM Hanes]

That hasn't stopped the feministas yet, PUK.

[hit and run]

Where's the link to the Malia in a peace shirt?

I only have honorable intentions, I promise.

[bad]

JMH, I guess it's good that SOMETHING is being stimulated...considering how much the package cost us.

[JM Hanes]

You're as bad as' bad can be, bad!

[PeterUK]

JMH,
There are a lot of mothers out there.

[Ignatz]

Best caption I saw at Hotair;

Obama’s position on offshore drilling has suddenly changed.

[bad]

LOL Ignatz

Tapper has a sleazeball thread up and running.

[Ignatz]

In second place (by the same guy);

That’s one red state I’d like to poll well in!

[Gentlemen prefer blondes.]

Heh, too bad we can't see the color of that devil's eyes.

[hit and run]

Eh, I'm not going to be able to get to it, for photoshop purposes but, the pic of Malia with the peace shirt and that saggy pants gangsta dude side by side with Obama ogling a pretty young thing is a fairly jarring set of images.

Dignity like we haven't seen since Joe DiMaggio and even George Washington, as some famous NYT writer would say...

[hit and run]

That girl's so young, even Michael Jackson disapproves.

[JM Hanes]

You know, that "Dignity Code" thing looks like a keeper, doesn't it hit?

[PeterUK]

Obama is an old married man,but he doesn't even have the smarts to be subtle.

[bad]

How much is the next date night gonna cost us?

[JM Hanes]

I think we're in Fly Me to the Moon territory here, bad.

[Sue]

Coming after telling everyone he met her in class, we will be paying out the wazoo for the next date night.

[JM Hanes]

In other news (also via Drudge):
Firefighters to testify at Sotomayor hearing.
The Dems will counter with major league pitcher David Cone.