Senator Roberts of Kansas, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in 2004 that he would begin Phase II of the investigation into the pre-war 'intelligence' about the mythical Iraqi weapons of mass destruction shortly after the elections were over. The reason for that delay was that it wouldn't be good to have the hearings hurt by partisans trying to use them for political gain during the election process. Of course, keeping the report under wraps was a political plus for the Repubicans...
Senator Roberts of Kansas, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in 2004 that he would begin Phase II of the investigation into the pre-war 'intelligence' about the mythical Iraqi weapons of mass destruction shortly after the elections were over. The reason for that delay was that it wouldn't be good to have the hearings hurt by partisans trying to use them for political gain during the election process.
As soon as the elections were over Senator Roberts came to the conclusion that Phase II was no longer necessary, since the American people had elected Bush. However, the abysmal job this Administration has been doing in Iraq has brought the pressure back, and Senator Roberts has been forced to shift his stance from 'no longer necessary' to 'when we can find the time.'
In today's NYT, Senator Roberts has a whiny letter to the editor, crying about how mean and impatient the Times is being.
There is no evidence that the White House manipulated intelligence to exaggerate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's regime. The Senate Intelligence Committee pointed out in its 511-page report, which 17 Democrats and Republicans unanimously approved, that the intelligence assessments in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction were very declarative.
For instance, the N.I.E. said, "Baghdad has chemical and biological weapons." Such forward-leaning assessments were prevalent in the N.I.E. Only later, through the committee's review, did we learn that these assessments were not supported by the underlying intelligence and were the result of flawed tradecraft and sloppy analysis.
With respect to alleged Republican foot-dragging on the phase II reports: on April 5, I announced that after the Easter recess, the committee will hold a series of closed meetings to move forward on phase II, including committee approval of factual findings and conclusions concerning three of the report's five elements. These findings will be fact-based and thorough. They will not be based upon agenda-driven and innuendo-laced press reports.
Let's pick this apart one point at a time, shall we?
First. There is no evidence that the White House manipulated intelligence to exaggerate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's regime. I have 16 words for you, Senator. The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. If you don't like what the President has to say, what about the Vice President? He's had years to get good at it and we know he has been absolutely devoted to trying to acquire nuclear weapons. And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons. National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice: [W]e don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. Donald Rumsfeld: There are a number of terrorist states pursuing weapons of mass destruction -- Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, just to name a few -- but no terrorist state poses a greater or more immediate threat to the security of our people than the regime of Saddam Hussein and Iraq. These are pre-war quotes, and the list goes on and on.
Second. The Senate Intelligence Committee pointed out in its 511-page report, which 17 Democrats and Republicans unanimously approved, that the intelligence assessments in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction were very declarative. And that was covered in Phase I. Now we are talking about Phase II, which is to answer the political pressure question, 'Were those particular intelligence assessments placed in the NIE because of Administration arm-twisting of the intelligence analysts?'
Third. For instance, the N.I.E. said, "Baghdad has chemical and biological weapons." Such forward-leaning assessments were prevalent in the N.I.E. Only later, through the committee's review, did we learn that these assessments were not supported by the underlying intelligence and were the result of flawed tradecraft and sloppy analysis. Again, that was Phase I when you wouldn't allow the committee to ask anything about the Vice Presidents repeated trips to the CIA during the NIE formulation process. Also, your slander against the working men and women of the intelligence community shows real class.
Fourth. With respect to alleged Republican foot-dragging on the phase II reports: on April 5, I announced that after the Easter recess, the committee will hold a series of closed meetings to move forward on phase II, including committee approval of factual findings and conclusions concerning three of the report's five elements. You've announced several times over the past two years that things would begin 'soon,' only to go back on your word and say things like I don't think there should be any doubt that we have now heard it all regarding prewar intelligence. I think that it would be a monumental waste of time to replow this ground any further. This is 2006, Senator, you can dispense with the "alleged" crap everyone and his brother knows your dragging your feet, your knuckles, and anything else you can to try and slow this thing down. Hell, Senator Reid had to shut the Senate down last November to force you to do something. Quit whining like a little baby and do you job for the American people!
Five. These findings will be fact-based and thorough. They will not be based upon agenda-driven and innuendo-laced press reports. Well, it will certainly be nice to see you using facts rather than the usual agenda-driven and innuendo-laced 'reports' you are famous for.
Senator Roberts has been one of the biggest shills in the Congress for this incompetent Administration, and it's beginning to wear on him. He can't even write a short letter to a newspaper without wholly misrepresenting reality. And this is why the Congressional Republicans are starting to get scared about the 2006 elections. They see the box that they have built around themselves in there efforts to curry favor with the Bush Administration, and they only way they can hope to get out of it is to lie, mislead, and/or misrepresent the facts to the voters.