Dem senator: I shouldn't have speculated on security leaks

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

/ AFP/Getty Images

(CBS News) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is backing off of comments she made Monday at the World Affairs Council suggesting recent national security leaks might have come from the White House, saying in a statement that she "shouldn't have speculated" on the source of the leaks.

"I was asked whether the White House might be responsible for recent national security leaks," Feinstein said in a Tuesday statement. "I stated that I did not believe the president leaked classified information. I shouldn't have speculated beyond that, because the fact of the matter is I don't know the source of the leaks.

After a spate of recent New York Times articles containing what would appear to be high-level security information -- including pieces about Mr. Obama's alleged "kill list," U.S. cyber attacks on Iran and more -- concerns have been raised about the source of the leaks, which have been condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike.

President Obama has dismissed the notion that the leaks came from the White House, and has promised that if the sources can be rooted out, they will "suffer consequences."

Republicans, however, have expressed skepticism at that explanation, and some have accused the administration of selectively releasing classified information for political gain.

On Monday, Feinstein, a liberal Democrat and four-term senator, said that while she does not suspect Mr. Obama of knowingly leaking the information, "I think the White House has to understand that some of this is coming from their ranks."

Today, in a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization, Romney seized on those comments, and accused the White House of "contemptible" conduct.

Feinstein said Tuesday she was "disappointed" by Romney's remarks, and expressed regret they're being used against the president.

"I'm on record as being disturbed by these leaks, and I regret my remarks are being used to impugn President Obama or his commitment to protecting national security secrets," she said. "I know for a fact the president is extremely troubled by these leaks. His administration has moved aggressively to appoint two independent U.S. attorneys. There is an investigation under way, and it is moving forward quickly."

"I know we are in a campaign season, but I hope the investigation proceeds without political accusation or interference from anyone," she added.

[nygurl1]

Nothing but vultures here!

[Socialistnation]

Come on people, of course the leaks came from the White House, the writer said so. I mean really is this really speculation?

[nygurl1]

Come on dummy - the writer knows only what happened. You are a rep shill!

[goat5691]

Having read the comments thus far I can only say that it is plain to see that the opposition only gets their info from Fox (News)? AAAGH!

[Maerzie]

Feinstein should have realized how desperate the Republicans are, since they got saddled with such a flawed candidate. They tried to shirk Romney from the very beginning, but they got stuck with him anyway. They will be down and dirty, and grasping at every straw to try to elevate the Etch-A-Sketch answer guy out of his quagmire of sticky lies and all 20 views Romney holds on everything, changing "principles?" ONLY to suit WHICH various audience he's trying to impress! Does this lying phony even have ANY "REAL" principles at all??

[Ulgnud]

Yet Feinstein would have been one of the first to do the same thing if it was a Republican as an incumbent.

[Rastaguytoday]

Dianne Feinstein is a Democrat, but she is not a liberal Democrat.

I believe she is one of the more conservative Democrats in the Senate. I go back to her days as the Mayor of San Francisco, after a horrible assasination.

She pulled the city together then, and she's trying to pull the country together now. I voted for her then, and I will continue to vote for her in the future.

Given her political beliefs and longevity, I don't think she would bow to anyone, least of all a President.

She is a great, but underrated Senator.

[goat5691]

And when was the last time you heard a Republican admit they were wrong?

[alanrobisch]

aw ge whillikers poor diane she told the truth and now regrets it. So much for her self respect

[goat5691]

Alan this could be a lesson for the Republicans. It is called being humble. She admits to being human.

[mturner1938]

Hmmmmmmm! Who do you suppose got to her?

[goat5691]

She has a conscience.

[Soapy-Johnson]

Also coming from the White House -- leaks detailing the acceptable method to burn the Koran?!? ... http://placeitonluckydan.com/2012/07/suspected-white-house-leak-details-how-properly-burn-koran/

[Left-Wing-loon]

Thanks for confirming what we already knew Diane baby!
We left wing loons sometimes rat each other out especially when our own loony Marxist president is not only out to destroy America but our Democratic party in the process.

[greenlantern1]

Thanks to the FAST and FURIOUS actions, of Eric Holder's men, fiends like Viktor Bout are behind bars.
He was a Russian arms dealer.
He was caught when he tried to sell arms to Colombian outlaws.
They were planning on murdering Americans.
The police, not the Plumbers, saved the day!