- Specter is a straw man, or as some here have said, a "Vichy Republican." It is meaningless to make strong statements against the NSA program, to suggest that the President has broken the law, and then fail to administer an oath to the witness. He has apparently made assurances to the administration that he won't push too far, that he will in his characteristically "fair-minded" way "listen to all the testimony" and then fall squarely in line with the Party mantra. Notice the way he called the lunch break right before Russ Feingold was about to commence his questioning, so that Feingold did not have the momentum of the morning behind him, and so that he would not get the last word before the break.
- The Republicans are doing themselves and the people of America a great disservice by simply buttressing the administration's claims. Reptilian Kyl actually said that the committee should be "more humble" (those were his exact words) in approaching these matters, in essense saying that we should all, each and every one of us, supplicate ourselves at the feet of the President and his executive minions.
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Why are these people so willing to give up their rights and to supplicate themselves before the illusory power of others?
- Sessions continues on with his simple-minded statements that the witness is highly qualified, that he "has already been confirmed," that he "has already appeared before this committee two times," suggesting that he be taken at his word, no questions asked. If this is the case, then we do not need a Congress -- which is exactly what happened in Peru, for example, under Fujimori.
- As good as the Democrats are, and Leahy was strong, they are not being strong enough. Leahy was the best so far, but he let go of his strong line of questioning at the end. He needed to say that the hearing could not continue in this way, that the witness must answer the questions put to him. Kennedy and Biden had little impact. Feinstein, who has been effective in a matronly way with the Supreme Court Nominees, was useless here, and Gonzales treated her in a condescending and patronizing manner, as if to say, "well yes, nice old lady senator, but you don't really belong here." Kohl's voice alone cancels him out. The ball is in Feingold and Schumer's court, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to crack Gonzales.
- Gonzales is not a good witness, which taken to a further conclusion suggests that he does not belong in such a high office. Whether it is Condi Rice, or Gonzales, or Michael Brown, or whoever, time and again as these Bush appointees appear before Congressional committees they appear to be uninformed, undiplomatic low or middle level functionaries. Supporting witnesses and TV commentators often exhibit greater knowledge and greater gravitas, diplomatic or political skill.