Pelosi Deflects Questions About CIA Briefings
(AP)
The members urged Panetta to make the change in light of a recent Intelligence briefing by Panetta where he told members that top CIA official had, in fact, concealed significant information from Congress from 2001 to last month.
It's been almost two months since Pelosi claimed the CIA lied to her about what interrogation methods they'd used on detainees. That accusation prompted Panetta's statement defending the agency.
Since then, the speaker has refused to take any more questions on the subject. While Pelosi took numerous questions today, she deflected most and left matters in the hands of the House Intelligence Committee.
"There is a briefing that is of serious concern to members of the committee," Pelosi said, "and they have their course of action to deal with it."
Pelosi said she expects the committee will pursue the issue.
Pelosi also responded to Republican criticism of her claim saying "our success is driving the Republicans to distraction. Any excuse will do."
House Minority Leader John Boehner wasn't buying that Panetta's statement had anything to do with interrogation briefings. He said that some people are trying to mix apples and oranges.
Boehner renewed his call today for Pelosi to either "put up the facts or retract her statement and apologize" to the intelligence committee.
Jill Jackson is a CBS News Capitol Hill producer.
But she would never resign for the good of the nation, would she.
Naaaaah - it takes someone with character to do that, and she's but liberal shell of a person. Do us all a favor, drop dead Nancy.
But, you're right about one thing! She no more likely to resign for the good of the nation, than her crooked Republicans counterparts!
Everyone knows that the Bush administration WAS the most secretive in American history!
Everyone knows that during his time, Congress often had to write letters, and pound on doors, and beg and plead to be included in, to receive knowledge of, WHAT was going on!
SO, when she says she wasn't informed until the last minute about it, and she has something else scheduled of critical importance, and she has to send an aid to cover it--- well, that's what happens!
BOTH parties do this to one another! It's chickens*h*i*t, and BOTH parties need to stop doing it, too!
Where Pelosi made her mistake IS--- she got defensive about it! Which made her look like she was hiding something! When she wasn't!
What she needs to do, is exactly what she did today, DROP IT! And, move on! But, I will say this, her actions on this matter, reflect poorly on her! Good leaders don't get caught up into things like THIS!
IF the Democrats were smart, she'd voluntarily step down, and they'd select a new leader! They are squandering a historic moment in this country's being, to leap ahead and get positive things done!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Typical narrow minded, two faced liberal.
NO! I want to put the situation in as accurate a context as is possible!
In order to explain and account for it! And, to assess IF any blame exists, and if so, who it belongs to!
And unfortunately, it happened under the FORMER administration, so they ARE very much a part of it, and CANNOT be over-looked or their actions 'swept under the rug' as they have SO many times before!
Thanks, for giving me the opportunity to point this out to you!
There were briefings, something was said... the entire back and forth relates only to WHAT was said.
Since this is all within the realm of "classified information" ... we may never know the "who or what or why". We may never have the evidence needed to confirm Mr. Panetta's, Speaker Pelosi's or any other member of Congress' statements.
And Joe.... it is equally moronic to NOT accept someone's word as fact when, as a matter of law and procedure, the full story is not going to be made available for public scrutiny.
As for me -- while I do not want the CIA lying or misleading Congress, I am also fine with keeping some information confidential and known to the fewest number of people possible in order to maintain our national security.
- by beaumuff July 9, 2009 2:53 PM EDT
- I thought Queen Pelosi was busy getting more handouts ready for Obama to sign so she can get reelected?
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