Porter Goss on C-span again - right now

[Democrat 4 Ever]

Goss has been called before the Senate committee for an additional day of questioning before voting for his confirmation as CIA director. (We all know he is a shoo in but at least not without a little bloodletting!) The Democratic members of the committee has more questions so an extra day was added, for the most part the Republican senators are not asking any questions of Goss today. Just making statements of support of his nomination. Guess party loyalty is more important than demanding greater security for the nation.

Getting a little contentious between Jay Rockefeller, Goss and Pat Roberts. Good reality TV.

Rockefeller keeps asking if Goss would have a problem talking "truth to power." Goss taps dances around. Rockefeller asks again - using as an example - the Vice President of the US is going around making misstatements about the connection between 9/11, one of the terrorists and a meeting in Prague. Would Goss be able to go to the VP and tell him that he is wrong or if that doesn't help, would he be willing to go public with a correction? Goss doesn't want to answer the question. Said he would be uncomfortable telling the VP (in this case) or the public what he knows because he does not know what factors went into the VP's statement. foreign policy, etc. Huh? Rockefeller kept pushing; Goss kept tap dancing until he was forced to give some kind of an answer. Truth be told - Goss indicates he couldn't/wouldn't call the VP or anyone else out when they are spreading lies to the American people.

Then Roberts goes off on a rant about the partisanship in this confirmation, raises his voice - pissed off to the max, pulls up just short of calling Rockefeller names for asking the hard questions (i.e. - "partisanship").

Goss has gotten very skilled at non-answering answering. (Do they give classes for this in DC?) Trying to hide behind classified documents saying he can't say - then he is shown the document as de-classified so he can comment. Asks to comments and he admits he can't answer. Then he was asked if he had even read it. Finally the Democratic Senators have gotten up off the mat and are demanding answers.

Hearing statements like letters of "factual inaccuraties," the "loopholes" the White House is asking for in the re-vamped intelligence agency and their not having to keep the Senate informed on many intellignece issues." May not mean he isn't confirmed but it is on the record now.

Too much to go on in this post. This is must see TV! If you can't watch live, catch it on C-Span's web site later.:bounce: :nuke:

[molly]

1. I saw the first part then switched to Kerry

I kept remembering Ashcroft's hearing and how he lied.

[bokanist]

2. Feith misrepresentation

Levin just mentioned a classfied letter. Said "Feith misrepresented to the Senate the contents of that letter." Goss hadn't seen the letter so there was no more discussion. Wouldn't lying to the Senate be a crime?

[Democrat 4 Ever]

3. You would think so...

He should be indicated the minute he leaves the committee room. Question - will we be stuck with Goss after January 20th when Kerry is sworn in as president? Goss is sipping Kool Aid at the witness table as we speak. Goss is unbelievable.