Anyone hear about the leaked DEM memo on investigating Bush???

[Dr Fate]

Hannity & Colmes were both raising hell about it last night- about how underhanded it waas and such-supposedly it lays out some DEM plan to investigate Bush...

....I thought it strange that Hannity & Colmes were so worried about it- I mean, if Bush is clean, then why worry about an investigation at all???

I never watch Fox, but those guys were pumping this up like it was some huge story- anyone heard anything about this???

[Guaranteed]

1. Yeah it's weak though.

It doesn't say anything everybody doesn't already know. Nobody takes it seriously.

It's been around for about a week now. Major talking point on Fox.

[Dr Fate]

2. Oh, I see...

...Colmes seemed especially upset about it- oh, but upset "as a Democrat" of course...

...frankly, I would have loved to see a DEM come out and say- "yes, we probably will have to investigate Bush's many apparent lies concerning Iraq, but if he has done nothing wrong, there is nothing to worry about..."

[loudnclear]

29. It actually can help the Dems so figure it will die down by mid-week.

Sen Levin took care of the RWing spin pretty good. If other Dems speak up the way he did, Hannity will eat tacks because he started the whole thing, trying to be "Rush-lite."

Actually, it was a memo by the staffer that didn't see the light of day and must have been stolen or obtained by some other nasty dirty trick by the Repugs. maybe even antoher "break-in" which they are sloppy at.
Nevertheless, the memo calls for further investigations into the administration's use of intelligence leading up to the Iraqi invasion because the official committee is being obstructed by the WH in getting the necessary information to do a credible investigation.

[loudnclear]

30. Kind of a weak anti-Wilson-wife-outing diversion, don't you think?

It doesn't rise to the level of a sneeze. If the Dems had not been planning this action I would have been sorely disappointed. It's only a slight news blip because the RWing media (Hannity) is trying to make it a big issue. Most Republicans ignored it before Hannity made it an issue. It would have been better for them had they continued to ignore it.

[bearfartinthewoods]

44. the only problem i see is now they can whip out the memo

when we actually move to start the independent investigation, they have the memo to say it was are prearranged. that could be sticky.

[Dr Fate]

45. That is why GOP/FOX stole or invented it...

...If DEMS had balls/spines/brains, all they would have to say is "yes, we planned all along to investigate you independently despite GOP stonewalling on this investigation- if you are not lying, Mr. Bush, then you will have no problem answering 2 or 3 questions under oath, will you?"

I think the DEMS could totally turn this around on Bush and Fox- I mean, the whole thing makes them look so desperate. If they did nothing wrong, then they should not mind a fact-finding investigation.

[Beetwasher]

3. Fox is Trying to Push it As A Story

Surprisingly, other media outlets will hardly touch it becaus it's such a dud...

[Dr Fate]

5. No, they dont want to have to wind up discussing GOP memos...

I'm suprised FOX really wants to make "memos' concerning Iraq an issue- considering we have one from Andrew Card saying "you do not bring out a new product(the war) in the fall". We also have the powerpoint disc were Rove tells Repugs to play up the war to get re-elected...

The reason why only Fox is playing this is becuase Fox has a tight control over their subject matter- other networks would risk having to discuss memos from BOTH sides, or trying to explain why, if Bush is innocent, it is such a bad thing to investigate him. It's easier for them just to ignore it...

[Beetwasher]

11. I dunno

I just think it's a dud. If you read the memo there's really nothing incriminating. In a nutshell it's just the Dems strategy for dealing w/ stonewalling by the Repubs and the WH. I actually think by making an issue out of it, it's GOOD for the Dems.

What I find so funny is that the way the Repubs deal w/ a memo regarding the Dems strategy to counter WH and Repub stonewalling of the investigation is to PULL THE ULTIMATE STONEWALL by stopping the investigation. It's transparent to anyone who's not brainwashed that this is what's going on...The whole issue makes the Repubs look really bad...

[Dr Fate]

15. DEMS , if they had balls, would step it up right now..

...and say "hey, why are you guys so worried about this investigation, you would think Bush would want to clear his name ASAP with a finding of the facts- Bush IS in the clear and hiding nothing, right???"

But some on this thread are saying the Pukes hkilled the investigation this morning- if true then Bush/Fox tactics worked.

Anyone have a link??

[Beetwasher]

18. I hope the Repubs DID kill the whitewash

The Dems had said they were considering their OWN investigation. Now they BETTER go through with it...

[Skittles]

20. they don't need BALLS

they need SPINES

[msmcghee]

28. Right on! n/t

[Dr Fate]

32. I'll go with that- spines then....

...i'm tired of bing ashamed of wimpy DEMS- I want to see them FIGHT Bush/Fox news

[Cocoa]

33. Carl Levin fought Fox News yesterday

and won. Tony Snow looked foolish.

[Dr Fate]

34. They should refuse to even go on Fox, and publically say why...

...seriously, at least until they fire Colmes and hire somone we hand pick.

DEMS should publically state that they will boycott appearances on Fox or any other network that lies about DEMS...

I'm dead serious- the GOP did it to CBS, why cant we do it to Fox- why? because we cant get are shit together, and our leaders are either blackmailed or complete idiots.

[Cocoa]

35. I looked up a transcript for you

since you said "I want to see the dems FIGHT Fox News", emphasis yours, then presumably you'd be interested in Carl Levin's interview on this topic, where he counters Fox's spin.

Enjoy! :toast:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102592,00.html

[Dr Fate]

36. Ok- that was excellent...

...that's a great start. I need more of it. frankly, I would really love to see more of them falt out accuse Fox of being pro-Bush, like Gore did!!!

But Levin did great in that interview, no doubt...

I am frustrated because I dont see ENOUGH of this. Levins performance in that interview should be the standard, not the exception...

[ewagner]

26. Do you have a link for this?

We also have the powerpoint disc were Rove tells Repugs to play up the war to get re-elected...

I remember that being on the news but it died so fast I thought I was imagining things. This is the biggest and most damaging item we could use against the repubs and yet, it isn't being mentioned by the mainstream press.

[Cocoa]

4. it's their excuse for stopping the investigation

very transparent.

[Dr Fate]

7. I see- investigation is unfair because DEMS "planned it"- hmmm

....DEMS should come out and say "look, if Bush never lied or did anything wrong, there is nothing to get so upset over. By the way, wy IS Fox news and apparently Bush so upset about the possibility of answering a few honest questions?"

[lefty_mcduff]

6. Completely lame memo. But what's interesting is...

1) How the Repukes got their hands on it
2) That the Repukes are using this as a 'catch-all' excuse NOT to investigate the WH for Iraq screw-ups
3) The RWrs are making hte rounds of Faux talk shows, screeching out about the Dems 'politicising' and 'playing politics' with the investigation (similar logic - hey - the New York Yankees are playing baseball with the World Series)

Sooooo, where is the outrage about

1) the fact that somebody is breaking or hacking into an intelligence committee and leaking the info....
2) the similar leaking of CIA operative to the press (remember THAT story?)...

[murielm99]

8. DEM memo

I read this morning that the whole investigation has been halted by the Republicans on the committee. I wish Rockefeller would continue it on his own, but who knows if he has the resources?

[Dr Fate]

9. Do you have a link?

Are we going to see DEMS cave to fucking Fox news and Bush once again????

[lefty_mcduff]

10. Yep.

Daschle was on Faux this morning, cheerfully promoting his book with the three jabbering heads that make up the Faux and Friends crew. Lots of chuckles and praises for Dubyah ("he really is a nice man once you get to know him") Bush.

No outrage. Sigh.

[Dr Fate]

12. Dascle, in a lispy voice always says "I think Bush is a nice man"

He has said this before. He also said "I think Bush is an honest man"

...He sounds like a wimpy little chump when he says it. his voice reminds me of Peggy Noonan- hell they both apparently love Bush..

Anyway- anyone have a link to this???

[Cocoa]

14. Daschle is the one pushing Rockefeller

the republicans are right about one thing, that Rockefeller is inclined to bipartisanship, that the dem leadership is pressuring him.

[murielm99]

38. Link

I read it on today's Bushwatch.com. It appeared in several newspapers. The one I examined in detail was a Pakistani paper, The Daily Times.

I like Bushwatch.com, and would recommend it to everyone here. I do not trust the corporate media any more, and I get a great deal of my news from Bushwatch. Please go there for this news. If I find the story anywhere else, I will let you know, too.

[Dr Fate]

39. Buzzflash is a site you would enjoy as well

www.buzzflash.com

You are absolutley right- the pro-Bush media lied to us repeatedly about Iraq, and they cannot be trusted...

[newyawker99]

22. Hi murielm99!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[murielm99]

37. Thanks!

[proud patriot]

13. I must remind people of Rove's lost breifcase

the memo inside said that the GOP would
politicize 911 to their advantage.

The repukes are the ones trying to take
partisan gain from the deaths of nearly 3000
Americans .

If I were asked about this that would be my answer .

[bowens43]

16. I read the memo, I understood it to say

that the Dems feel that the investigation is being white washed and that they would have to do a separate investigation if the white washing continues. The repugs want to cover up the truth, the dems want it to become public knowledge. There must be some very damning info coming to light if the bushies are so frightened by the mention of a Dem led investigation.

[Dr Fate]

17. Colmes agreed that the memo "undermined the troops"

...or at least he failed to disagree with that. He said "as a Democrat, I am outraged."

[Skittles]

19. Colmes, a Democrat

HA HA, HA HA HA HA. He f***ing SUCKS.

[w13rd0]

21. Colmes is as much a waste...

..."as a Democrat" as Zell Miller.

[Mysterio]

23. that @$$hole needs to be investigated....

like you all said, if Bush was clean, then he shouldn't be worried at all. He's about as clean as a pig who has been rolling around in the mud all day. (poor attempt at an analogy, forgive me for it's monday) :hi:

Mysterio

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. The Republicans are scared because they know

that it is only going to take an ember to start the public outrage and demand for a REAL investigation. And the Democrats can easily provide that ember. So they're trying to nip it in the bud.

[Red State Rebel]

25. Here Is The Text of The Memo

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102258,00.html

Transcript of a memo written by a Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee staff suggesting how to make the greatest gain off of intelligence data leading to the war against Iraq.

We have carefully reviewed our options under the rules and believe we have identified the best approach. Our plan is as follows:

1) Pull the majority along as far as we can on issues that may lead to major new disclosures regarding improper or questionable conduct by administration officials. We are having some success in that regard. For example, in addition to the president's State of the Union speech, the chairman has agreed to look at the activities of the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as Secretary Bolton's office at the State Department. The fact that the chairman supports our investigations into these offices and co-signs our requests for information is helpful and potentially crucial. We don't know what we will find but our prospects for getting the access we seek is far greater when we have the backing of the majority. (Note: we can verbally mention some of the intriguing leads we are pursuing.)

2) Assiduously prepare Democratic "additional views" to attach to any interim or final reports the committee may release. Committee rules provide this opportunity and we intend to take full advantage of it. In that regard, we have already compiled all the public statements on Iraq made by senior administration officials. We will identify the most exaggerated claims and contrast them with the intelligence estimates that have since been declassified. Our additional views will also, among other things, castigate the majority for seeking to limit the scope of the inquiry. The Democrats will then be in a strong position to reopen the question of establishing an independent commission (i.e. the Corzine amendment).

3) Prepare to launch an independent investigation when it becomes clear we have exhausted the opportunity to usefully collaborate with the majority. We can pull the trigger on an independent investigation at any time-- but we can only do so once. The best time to do so will probably be next year either:

A) After we have already released our additional views on an interim report -- thereby providing as many as three opportunities to make our case to the public: 1) additional views on the interim report; 2) announcement of our independent investigation; and 3) additional views on the final investigation; or



B) Once we identify solid leads the majority does not want to pursue. We could attract more coverage and have greater credibility in that context than one in which we simply launch an independent investigation based on principled but vague notions regarding the "use" of intelligence.

In the meantime, even without a specifically authorized independent investigation, we continue to act independently when we encounter foot-dragging on the part of the majority. For example, the FBI Niger investigation was done solely at the request of the vice chairman; we have independently submitted written questions to DoD; and we are preparing further independent requests for information.

Summary

Intelligence issues are clearly secondary to the public's concern regarding the insurgency in Iraq. Yet, we have an important role to play in the revealing the misleading -- if not flagrantly dishonest methods and motives -- of the senior administration officials who made the case for a unilateral, preemptive war. The approach outline above seems to offer the best prospect for exposing the administration's dubious motives and methods.

[CityZen-X]

27. Addendum To Memo

Use Michael Moores "Dude, Wheres My country" as a guide!

[proud patriot]

31. Karl Rove is using 911 for side wins

we got to be safe cut taxes
we got to be safe drill in ANWAR
we got to be safe Curtail Civil liberties
we got to be safe drop the clean air act
we got to be safe cut down the trees
we got to be safe let's have another tax cut
we got to be safe Max Clealand is no patriot
we got to be safe polluters can police themselves
we got to be safe cut Veterans Benefits
We got to be safe God must of put bush in office
we got to be safe never question or doubt bush
we got to be safe let's forget about ossama and get Iraq's oil
we got to be safe if the American People want the truth hide it
we got to be safe don't need to find out what went wrong on 911
we got to be safe just ignore court rulings
we got to be safe the Constitution is irrelevent
we got to be safe international treaties are null and void
we got to be safe let's give tax dollars to churches
we got to be safe bust tommy chong
we got to be safe cops can aim guns at innocent children in school
we got to be safe shut down New Orleans prostitutes
we got to be safe cover the statue of Justice
we got to be safe keep the suffering alive in Oregon
we got to be safe keep the sick from their medicine in California
we got to be safe invade every private sector of American lives
we got to be safe Americans have Duct tape

end sarcastic rant

[grasswire]

40. the Power Point disc

Someone above asked about Rove's lost disc. Here's what Joe Conason wrote about it.

Trying to portray Mr. Bush as a serious scholar is about as believable as earlier efforts to paint him as a selfless statesman who heeds no polls, adheres always to principle, and indulges in nothing so base and "Clintonian" as political calculation. Citizens who wish to preserve such illusions should avoid reading the PowerPoint presentation by White House chief political adviser Karl Rove about Republican electoral strategies and prospects.

That computer disc, reportedly left on a public street by an intern, fell into the hands of a Democratic Congressional staffer, who handed it over in turn to Roll Call, the Capitol Hill weekly. Used by Mr. Rove and his associates to lecture Republican activists visiting the White House, the slides on that disc reveal an unusually cynical approach to public policy, even for a President. (Anyone eager to be disillusioned, or just amused, may view the entire presentation at www.politicspa.com.)

Consider slide 21, which summarizes the White House plans for various constituencies that Mr. Rove hopes to draw into the Bush camp over the next two years. It says that they intend to "maintain" support from "Coal & Steel," "Farmers" and "Ranchers." Then skip ahead to slides 24 through 26, which show the states most narrowly won or lost by Mr. Bush in 2000, including West Virginia (coal), Missouri (farmers), Iowa (farmers), Pennsylvania (steel), Ohio (coal and steel), Wisconsin (farmers) and so on.

What Mr. Rove omitted from his show-and-tell, of course, were the little actions the President took to help himself in these states of "special concern," as they’re called in PowerPoint prose.

The political guru might have added a slide of Mr. Bush signing that $190 billion farm bill, which the White House obstructed for months as a supposed affront to its free-market ideology, but now touts as its own. He might also have added another slide detailing those steep new steel tariffs announced by Mr. Bush a few weeks ago, in direct contradiction of the administration’s free-trade rhetoric. Or he could have slipped in a slide about Mr. Bush’s abandonment of his promise to reduce carbon dioxide and other air pollution, a straight sellout to the coal industry.

Such additions would no doubt have been excessively candid. Speaking of candor, Mr. Rove’s purloined disc delineates several states where the White House expects bad trouble in the midterm elections. Notable on the "special concern" list was Florida, where the President’s brother is seeking re-election as Governor (and where the White House, coincidentally, announced a plan to buy unpopular offshore-drilling leases, despite the "energy crisis" that necessitates drilling off California and in Alaska.) Also notable was Texas, where Mr. Rove evidently fears that his party may lose both the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.

As soon as the disc leaked out, the White House announced that its contents didn’t accurately reflect Mr. Rove’s opinions. None of the Republicans is really in trouble, they insisted. A senior official also told the Associated Press that recent policy reversals by the President have "no connection to political gain" for him and his party.

http://observer.com/pages/story.asp?ID=6018

[jbfam4]

41. good excuse as any to stop the investigation

So then they can blame the intelligence agency for this and we will never get the answer to the question....HOW was it used by this administration?

The real question are: who took it from the dem staffer, how did they get it, to whom did they show it on the intelligence committee, who told the gop staffer to take it to Hannity and what was the reason for making this public?

[Dr Fate]

43. I think the "real question" should be "Why is GOP & Fox so WORRIED?"

I mean, who cares if there is going to be an independent investigation- If Bush and Fox never lied, then they have nothing to worry about. They are acting guilty as hell, and DEMS should be turning this around on them...

I would love to hear a DEM say "Whoooa- wait a minute- why are you guys here at Fox so worried about an investigation- dont you think we should find out if our leaders were lying or not? I'm sure Bush wants to clear his name, and I'm sure Fox news has a journalistic interest in finding out who lied about what..."

[linazelle]

42. Can't resist....the....memooo

I'm powerless. No matter how I try to ignore it because it is a nonissue, Hannutty keeps pushing it. Give him an A for persistence.

In reality, there's nothing to it. It talks about investigating Bush lies. What else is new?