Cornyn: Release the tape, Harry
posted at 2:20 pm on January 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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John Cornyn, the newly minted leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has kicked off his tenure by diving directly into the Blagojevich scandal. After Harry Reid admitted on Meet the Press that he had conversations with the Illinois governor on the replacement for Barack Obama, Cornyn wants Reid to authorize the release of the recording of any communications between Reid and Blagojevich. Fox and Friends debates this today:
I’m not sure how much to read into this, really. Harry Reid runs the Senate, and it would have been appropriate for him to contact Governor Blagojevich to discuss appointing Obama’s successor. That would have taken place regardless of Blagojevich’s attempts to sell the seat to the highest bidder. Blagojevich could have tried shaking down Reid for a payoff — he was certainly careless enough to try — but what would Reid have offered him? Two nights at the Golden Nugget?
Even if Reid wanted to release the tapes, I doubt he could prevail on Patrick Fitzgerald to publish them before a grand jury reviews the evidence for indictment. They may be part of the transcripts Fitzgerald promised the Illinois House in their impeachment probe, but if not, Reid hasn’t any authority to demand their release. The prosecution of Blagojevich is much more important to Fitzgerald than a short-term political score.
I’d call this an interesting point for further research when the tapes and transcripts get released by Fitzgerald. Until then, there are more interesting aspects of this scandal to pursue than Harry Reid.
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Shitley, you have yet to present a single thread of evidence to support your contention that Plame was covert at the time of her alleged outing.
Nor have explained why, if you are so convinced that Fitz believed she was covert, he didn’t attempt to try any of the people who outed her.
You just continue to interpret facts in a way that suits your agenda, regardless of whether that interpretation fits reality. Then again, what’s new.
MarkTheGreat on January 8, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Having a cover identity does not make one a covert agent.
Having a NOC cover does. By definition. She was covert.
Oh, and again you ignore the fact that the CIA says she was covert and they were taking proactive measures to keep her relationship with the organization secret at the time of Novak’s column.
Again, Mr. “Shitley makes up his own facts”, how do you claim to know more about Plame’s status at the CIA than the CIA does?
I look forward to your reply. You’re hypocrisy and idiocy shines through brighter with every one.
Tom_Shipley on January 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Shitley, you have yet to present a single thread of evidence to support your contention that Plame was covert at the time of her alleged outing.
How is a declassified CIA employment history explaining that she traveled overseas seven times under NOC (which is covert) and official cover NOT proof that she was a covert agent. How is the CIA saying Plame was a covert agent at the time of the outing NOT proof.
Seriously, how is it not?
Nor have explained why, if you are so convinced that Fitz believed she was covert, he didn’t attempt to try any of the people who outed her.
Yes, I did, you idiot. You just can’t read apparently. Here it is AGAIN copy and pasted from a previous post:
Because the law also states that the people accused of outing an agent must have “knowingly” outed her. Fitzgerald said he could not prove that — in part because of Libby’s obstruction.
Tom_Shipley on January 8, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Not according to the law in question. For example, one of the requirements was being stationed overseas.
You mean like having her drive to an office at Langley everyday?
Now that’s a very good way to keep the fact that you work for the CIA a secret.
There’s also the fact that Plame and Wilson told everyone who would listen, that Plame worked for the CIA and precisely what she was doing there.
Hard to out someone who is so busy outing themselves.
But then, you don’t care about facts. Then again, what’s new.
MarkTheGreat on January 8, 2009 at 11:50 AM
At least Shitley has given up trying to defend his other ridiculous claims.
I guess reality does win on occasion.
MarkTheGreat on January 8, 2009 at 11:51 AM
MarkTheGreat on January 8, 2009 at 11:50 AM
You mean like having her drive to an office at Langley everyday?
Now that’s a very good way to keep the fact that you work for the CIA a secret.
Are you telling me that no agent who works at Langley can be considered a covert agent. That’s the CIA’s policy? You know this despite the fact that the CIA classified her as a covert agent?
There’s also the fact that Plame and Wilson told everyone who would listen, that Plame worked for the CIA and precisely what she was doing there.
And this is just false. Fitzgerald’s team investigated claims that “everyone” knew Plame was a CIA agent and found them to be false. The CIA classified her as covert and was taking affirmative measures to conceal her relationship with the agency. She traveled overseas under covert cover within 5 years of the alleged crime (as stipulated by the law charges were brought under), and in all likelyhood had traveled under covert cover within the year that she was outed.
Mark, as anyone can see, you’re the one avoiding facts here. The facts are that the CIA classified Plame as a covert agent when Novak’s column was published. You cannot dispute that. She also fits there legal definition of the law that protects covert agents from being outed. That’s a fact. You cannot dispute that.
Yet you do.
And you insult me and claim that I make my own facts.
That makes you a hypocrite and an idiot of the highest order.
Tom_Shipley on January 8, 2009 at 11:57 AM
For example, one of the requirements was being stationed overseas.
Again, making up your own facts. It’s not a requirement that they be stationed overseas, but that they had “served” overseas within the past 5 years.
(ii) who is serving outside the United States or has within the last five years served outside the United States
Plame traveled oversseas as an NOC cover on multiple occasions after 2002. That’s serving overseas. She was covered.
Tom_Shipley on January 8, 2009 at 12:00 PM
non-sequitur: Harry Reid calling President Bush “the worst president in history?”
Dude needs some knowledge of history.
Especially since he’s the worst leader of the Senate since Caligula’s horse.
sulla on January 8, 2009 at 1:33 PM
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