Update: Link to video of the interview here (MSNBC's embed function doesn't work on dkos)
On Hardball today, Mike Barnicle just made a fairly explosive statement. They were talking about Ron Suskind's new book The Way of the World, in which Suskind alleges via interviews with multiple colleagues and subordinates of George Tenet the explosive charge that the Bush Administration gave the CIA an actual paper ordering them to forge a document drawing connections between Al Qaeda and Iraq.
Suskind was on the show, and faced fierce questioning from Barnicle--specifically about why Suskind didn't interview Tenet himself. Suskind responded that Tenet was confused and "did not remember" a large number of incidents from the time, including the famous "slam dunk" remarks--but that numerous colleagues and subordinates keep detailed records.
Barnicle then said something explosive. I don't have video of it, and only my memory, but Barnicle's statement went something like this The exact statement is as follows:
I can't help but come to the conclusion...that this book is basically charging that the President of the United States or the Vice President of the United States, would be an accessory before the fact to 4,000 murders and more in Iraq. They lied us into war according to this book.
If Mike Barnicle is willing to make a statement that direct, it may be that this issue finally is the straw that breaks the camel's back. It's too late for impeachment proceedings, and the Congressional Democrats are so confident about the upcoming elections that they don't want to appear too partisan lest they screw things up somehow. Yet ultimately, the mood of the nation and the media environment will dictate whether Congressional Dems have the guts to pursue real accountability, whether it be during Bush's tenure in office, or after it. If the media itself gets angry enough, we just may see the accountability these criminals so richly deserve.
If the allegations in Suskind's book are followed up by investigations and hearings at which Tenet's colleagues and subordinates testify to this forgery demand under oath, it may just be checkmate for Bush/Cheney with far-reaching consequences.
One can only hope.