Audio: Gingrich goes thermonuclear on Pelosi
posted at 2:13 pm on May 15, 2009 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Duck and cover before listening so that the force from this blast doesn’t knock you off your chair. Sample quotation:
“She is a trivial politician, viciously using partisanship for the narrowest of purposes, and she dishonors the Congress by her behavior.”
“Speaker Pelosi’s the big loser, because she either comes across as incompetent, or dishonest. Those are the only two defenses,” Gingrich said. “The fact is she either didn’t do her job, or she did do her job and she’s now afraid to tell the truth.”
Actually, there’s a third defense — that she’s telling the truth about the CIA having misled her, a remote possibility that seems ever so slightly less remote today thanks to Tom Maguire catching Porter Goss and Richard Shelby using weasel words about what and when, precisely, they knew. Still, yesterday’s question remains: If poor, innocent Madam Speaker is the victim of a CIA cover-up on a central moral question of the war on terror, why’d she wait four years to mention it? The prospect that intel officials might be suppressing evidence they’re required to disclose to Congress would seem to me somewhat more momentous than whether Pelosi first heard about waterboarding in the fall of 2002 or five months later, yet only now does she think to bring it up?
I’m obliged to link this New Majority piece claiming to have seen details of the briefings that fully support the CIA’s account, but it’s just vague enough and anonymously sourced that I wouldn’t put too much stock in it. Proceed with caution. Click the image to listen.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2
An interesting sidebar here, the post I just made? I cannot get it through HuffPo’s moderaters. LOL*
I had no idea that they really were filtering for content.
It’s just sort of funny.
AnninCA on May 15, 2009 at 2:52 PM
“If poor, innocent Madam Speaker is the victim of a CIA cover-up on a central moral question of the war on terror, why would she wait four years to mention it? The prospect that intel officials might be suppressing evidence they’re required to disclose to Congress would seem to me somewhat more momentous than whether Pelosi first heard about waterboarding in the fall of 2002 or five months later, yet only now does she think to bring it up?”
Yet, in her little press conference yesterday she tried to link the CIA’s action’s to the Bush administration and bad intelligence for the Iraqi WMDs. Why not try to link the waterboarding with the Iraq intelligence when the opportunity arose in 2003-04? Good grief, it might’ve helped out John Kerry (not she cared about his electability). Why is her outrage relevant only now that she has to cover her ass? Her whole argument about the timing of the briefings is a convenient farce. She has had plenty of time to find her outrage that the CIA was purposively lying to her. Where the heck was her outrage about torture seven years ago?
Vera71 on May 15, 2009 at 2:54 PM
“Actually, there’s a third defense — that she’s telling the truth about the CIA having misled her, a remote possibility…”
(Long sigh)… Oh Allahpun Allahpun…
Cardiganfox on May 15, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Hilary vs. Nancy – Cage match to the DEATH!
I would pay to see that!
JAM on May 15, 2009 at 2:54 PM
The only thing Nancy Pelosi wasn’t told in the September 2002 briefing was that in a couple of years she would be willing to prosecute the people she was then telling to “do what you have to do.” I bet even she would be shocked then at what she is doing now.
Think about it. What was considered the most likely West Coast target? The San Francisco Bridge and she wanted that to go down? Hardly.
petunia on May 15, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Great point! I was rather amused and fatigued by her pathetic attempts to link again to the EVIL Bush administration yesterday as her excuse. But now she can’t prosecute those officials b/c she would indite herself. What tangled webs we weave.
Hoekstra was on yesterday and said, if they want a commission to look into this, it needs to start w/congress. We are tasked w/oversight. Basically the buck stops there. There is no need to look at the CIA or Justice first. Any inquiries should start w/those tasked w/oversight. I thought he was dead on.
JAM on May 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I think Pelosi really has gone too far this time.
AnninCA on May 15, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Another question is, how come not one other member of Congress has come forward and said “hey, the CIA misled ME TOO!” She’d like us to believe that out of everyone they briefed, she was the only one they withheld the truth from. Time for Obama to throw her under and MOVE THAT BUS!
scalleywag on May 15, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Whoa!! Up one side and down the other.
Pelosi is a political anchor. No big news out of the White House to divert the news cycle and save her. Pelosi will still be “the news” come Monday morning.
I wonder if she gets the boot as speaker will another more respectable radical will oppose her in a primary? Has she become that toxic? When this is all over I think she will be.
Theworldisnotenough on May 15, 2009 at 3:06 PM
What did Nancy not know and when did she not know it?
Will she, Blame it on the Botox? Are injections of Botox torture? Scrappleface has a wonderful satire of Ms. Peelousy:
“Pelosi First Heard of 9/11 Attacks in Late 2003
by Scott Ott for ScrappleFace:
(2009-05-15) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, under scrutiny for her changing accounts of when she knew about the CIA’s enhanced interrogation techniques, said today that she was not informed until late 2003 that Muslim terrorists had used passenger jets to kill thousands of people in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
“One of my aides mentioned in passing that she had been to a CIA briefing months earlier about these techniques,” said Rep. Pelosi. “At the time, I thought the discussion was theoretical…that this was something that could happen. It wasn’t until October 2003 that I learned that these methods had actually been used on American soil.”
Crashing hijacked planes into buildings full of non-combatant civilians is one of several “enhanced immolation techniques” forbidden under U.S. and international law.
Rep. Pelosi, clearly rattled by reporters’ questions on the subject, first said she knew nothing about the 9/11 attacks, but later acknowledged that she was “too busy helping Democrats win a majority in Congress to get involved in the details of a matter that was being handled through appropriate channels.”
eaglewingz08 on May 15, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Oh, so now Newt’s moved off the couch and is trying to convince us that he has grown a pair after waiting a week to see just how far down the cliff Nancy will drive her energy efficient car. Dontcha just love pols. Bless their hearts.
Kissmygrits on May 15, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Pelosi is running water in leaking boat.
cyclown on May 15, 2009 at 3:10 PM
We shouldn’t be suprised this is the self destructive nature of the left. This is why I think we should let Obama pass his policies. He is trying to feed the beast. Republicans do not have to do a thing to starve the beast Obama’s policies will do that. When it all comes crashing down the country will be ready to listen and reform. The flaw I see in how things will play out is that the GOP will not let the beast starve. They’ll ride in on a “mandate” and start drilling for oil, gas, and coal, which will be used to fund our fundamentally flawed Social Security and Medicare entitlements. The real reform never comes. We need to let Obama burn it down, and put conservatives in control of the GOP, not the likes of Cornyn.
Theworldisnotenough on May 15, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I am deciding that you’re right, World.
This deal isn’t going away.
AnninCA on May 15, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Incompetent
Dishonest
Video: Kit Bond says CIA doesn’t brief on rejected techniques
Allahpundit, I triple dog dare you to take that matter up with Gingrich.
I love listening to Gingrich give an opponent a stompin’. No one outmaneuvers him. There are those with other styles. But no one trumps the Newt in debate.
maverick muse on May 15, 2009 at 3:16 PM
It is foolish to assume that at a future point things will be easier or more rational than the present.
When it ALL comes crashing down, there will be such furious chaos, no one will be listening to anyone.
maverick muse on May 15, 2009 at 3:19 PM
He was, indeed, quite pointed and clear, Maverick.
AnninCA on May 15, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Allah, if we judge our politicians by their use of weasel words, I wouldn’t even bother being engaged in the process at all. They all used weasel words. But someone is lying here, and someone is telling the truth. Do you really think that Nancy Pelosi could be standing alone as the one-and-only truth teller?
gryphon202 on May 15, 2009 at 3:22 PM
To those knocking Newt for “Sitting on a couch” YOU are the friggin problem with the party. Either you are Dems in disguise or fucking morons, I can’t really tell the difference anymore.
Learn to pick your battles and learn to acknowledge BIG PICTURE ISSUES.
As others have said – his attempt to reach out, when out of public office – is his defense of calling her out now AFTER this bumbling Speaker has made a mockery of herself, Congress, the CIA and American security.
So keep complaining about an ad barely anyone heard of – I am sure Kos, Huff and their ilk need all the help they can get in “marginalizing” Newt.
For $20 and without a web search – can anyone of you genius “Republican conservatives” tell us what Newt stepped down for????
Crickets.
Odie1941 on May 15, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Git’er Newt!!!!
Claypigeon on May 15, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Pelosi is a power monger. She allows herself to do whatever is necessary at the moment to accomplish whatever is present. She will never admit the truth about anything. THIS proves her to be an incredible and dishonest public servant on all counts, not simply this case in point. Her word is no good on anything now.
Newt and Kit Bond make the very clear case that Pelosi has threatened our national security and continues to make our situation worse each day she remains in power.
This is the woman who pranced about the MidEast usurping the Executive Branch authority wheeling and dealing in conversations contrary to the President’s firm position.
maverick muse on May 15, 2009 at 3:27 PM
In 2002, a representative of the people, with integrity, would have stood up and said lopudly, “This is wrong! This is why.” And accepted either laurels from the people and a bright futre in politics, or been the target of opprobrium and a political career ended.
Waiting five years, five years, after conveniently having the Obama Administration open the door…
If it was so “wrong” in 2002, why did we have to wait until summer of 2009 to hear about Nancy’s indignation?
Leon Panetta (who I am liking more and more) sent a letter to all stations and bases and to headquarters staff.
Panetta told CIA, “”There is a long tradition in Washington of making political hay out of our business. It predates my service with this great institution, and it will be around long after I’m gone. But the political debates about interrogation reached a new decibel level yesterday when the CIA was accused of misleading Congress.”
CIA Director Leon Panetta continued, “My advice — indeed, my direction — to you is straightforward: ignore the noise and stay focused on your mission. We have too much work to do to be distracted from our job of protecting this country.”
“We are an agency of high integrity, professionalism, and dedication. Our task is to tell it like it is-even if that’s not what people always want to hear. Keep it up. Our national security depends on it.”
Nancy is trying to make political hay out of this…and is producing odious manure instead.
coldwarrior on May 15, 2009 at 3:27 PM
This is what MSNBC has on their political news page. Mind you, NOTHING about Pelosi on the home page.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553
marklmail on May 15, 2009 at 3:27 PM
AnninCA on May 15, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Mañana…
maverick muse on May 15, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Or how about Newt & Petraeus in 2012?
BTW, I just wrote my Democratic congressman (don’t worry, we’ll fix that next year) urging him to get together with the Dem caucus and demand Pelosi’s ouster. If you live in a Dem distrct please, please do the same. The House Dem’s are starting to run like he!! from her so let’s get the pressure on them now and keep it on.
Trafalgar on May 15, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Awesome
76United on May 15, 2009 at 3:32 PM
pass the second bowl of Popcorn….this be gettin’ good!
SDarchitect on May 15, 2009 at 3:32 PM
So did the guy that delivers pizza to your mom’s house.
BigWyo on May 15, 2009 at 3:33 PM
coldwarrior on May 15, 2009 at 3:27 PM
The ball’s in Obama’s court. He could deal with Nancy behind closed doors or in public should Pelosi refuse to step down. Either way, it is Obama’s job to keep his charge clean, and the CIA is his charge. They deserve to know that he’s their leader, not their Brutus.
Pelosi has gone rogue on the US.
maverick muse on May 15, 2009 at 3:35 PM
This is simple….If the CIA lied to congress, then she must bring them forward, and indict them on charges.
She should be demanded to name names, and tell us who specifically lied to her.
If she doesn’t have specific names, then there should be an investigation as to whom and when they lied.
Lying to a congressman is not acceptable and by all indications illegal…and conversely, if a congress person falsely accuses someone of lying to them, then the congressperson should be held accountable.
right2bright on May 15, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I don’t think these have recorded minutes, they are so top secret, just briefing notes.
Correct me if I am wrong.
right2bright on May 15, 2009 at 3:38 PM
“Quote the raven, never more”.
Johan Klaus on May 15, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Benjamin Franklin had illegitimate children…what is your point?
right2bright on May 15, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Funny, my wife is a Board member of a non profit – and by law, must keep accurate minutes of each meeting, time date stamped and with all participants.
Are we to beleive our own friggin “Intelligence Committee” doesn’t do the same?
Odie1941 on May 15, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Not to mention, silky.
Johan Klaus on May 15, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Used hay.
Johan Klaus on May 15, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Minor correction…she was the RANKING member on the Intelligence Committee…numero uno. She had access to everything and everyone…plus, she is number three in line to the President. She has her own “codes”. She is basically the third most powerful person in the world.
If she wanted information, all she had to to was ask…only two people could tell her no (and the veep probably couldn’t even do that).
right2bright on May 15, 2009 at 3:44 PM
The guy had videos on youtube for awhile. my bet is that youtube removed them. I think his name was sinclair or something similar. I heard it here first.
peacenprosperity on May 15, 2009 at 3:50 PM
ROFLMAO!
Daddy! LOL! Stupid trolls….
TheBigOldDog on May 15, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Always enjoy Newt. He forgot to use the “T” word… “Traitorous”
-
I will continue to call the traitors on the left what they are, and it would have been icing on the cake for him to use the correct term for her actions.
RalphyBoy on May 15, 2009 at 4:07 PM
That’s just noise … these are old men and they don’t recall very well specific dates and such.
The bottom line is … there were A LOT of briefings on this and Nancy or her surrogates were the ones being briefed. Notes will exist from at least SOME of these meetings and … THEY WILL BE LEAKED as soon as someone in the CIA gets ticked off enough at Pelosi. I would imagine some are on their way out the plumbing system as we speak.
I am simply amazed that Nancy Pelosi is so stupid. How does an idiot rise to the level she’s risen to? Astounding … simply astounding. She held a briefing yesterday and it will be forever held up as an example of “What not to do when you’re in trouble”. She made every classic mistake.
Above all – the gravest stupidity – she actually ESCALATED the entire affair. She’s playing like she’s holding a straight flush – but she’s got only a pair of deuces. Maybe she just is just that bold? I don’t think so. I think she is stumbling around into land mines – and the thing is – no one’s really forcing her to make these mistakes.
The fall will be hard.
I do want to THANK Nancy Pelosi for making Waterboarding possible though. Through her silence – she allowed the Bush administration to gain vital intelligence that saved lives. I think that is the wave she should ride – instead she’s chosen to lie about it.
HondaV65 on May 15, 2009 at 4:12 PM
She’s melting….melting…
oh re oh
oh re oh.
Geochelone on May 15, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Yeah, she’s dishonest, she lied, she’s a political hack. So how about you Newt?
Oldnuke on May 15, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Pay per view, here’s my $49.95!
oldleprechaun on May 15, 2009 at 4:21 PM
I really think that this is the case – she is that bold.
The DemonicRATS are emboldened by the last election. Enough so that they can spend several trillion $$$ in a couple of months after campaigning for the entire previous year about how bad deficit spending is. Then make a big deal out of cutting .003% of that spending. Just to name a couple of examples.
I have never seen this level of arrogance from any politician or administration, ever.
UltimateBob on May 15, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I’d only pay to see that if neither one made it out alive.
UltimateBob on May 15, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Stretch Pelosi maybe the first in a line of liberals who have over-reached and will have it all come back on them. A new look at the domino theory.
Mallard T. Drake on May 15, 2009 at 4:41 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GquA1sObQq8
Make up your own mind.
Personally, I believe Obama did do the cocaine, as he is a notorious drug fiend, if he was “Lewinsky-ed” or not, wouldn’t surprise me at all if true.
Rebar on May 15, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Ea rayoooo el cano al fin saco los cojones!!! Ya era hora!!!
ProudPalinFan on May 15, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Sean Hannity should hold a “Hannity Summer Camp 2009″ in New York, where all Republicans that are currently in power, from the city townships to Senators and Governors can rub Sean’s stomach(or chin), and get some Hannity DNA on ‘em.
It seems to have worked for Newt. El Rushbo can jet them in, in case there are dumb complains about not making it because of some dumb excuse of lack of transportation.
ProudPalinFan on May 15, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I’m with you, Newt. Just wish you hadn’t soiled yourself by sitting on the (expletive) couch with her.
macummings on May 15, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Good for Newt. . .Bravo ! !
Texyank on May 15, 2009 at 5:52 PM
These articles and arguments all seem to accept the premise that waterboarding is torture, or even remotely near it .. I refuse to acknowledge any of these arguments in any meaningful way until it becomes something more along the lines of ‘are we allowed to annoy people to save lives?’.
I’ve seen a reporter undergo waterboarding. A REPORTER!! If that’s torture then my older cousin is a war criminal .. he did much worse to me and it wasn’t to save lives .. it was just for fun.
cgoode777 on May 15, 2009 at 6:02 PM
The third option appears to be someone slipping koolaid in your rum&coke AP.
Sapwolf on May 15, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Melting? Did someone mentino her melting?
Forget that. Look up, here’s Dorothy’s house comin.
Sapwolf on May 15, 2009 at 6:48 PM
She lied and has attempted to smear others, period. The only question remaining is will the Dems police their own or will this be another dirt bag with special privileges.
The ending of the co presidency.
moxie_neanderthal on May 15, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Good for Newt. EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN IN AMERICA needs to be shouting this from the rooftops, every day.
Cylor on May 15, 2009 at 8:06 PM
I have disagreed with Newt on few things in the past, but I think Newt is now seeing how the Libs have no intention of bipartisanship or playing nice. Hopefully, he has seen the light & has realized it’s time to play hardball.
Also, Newt really does have a gift for getting his point across clearly. When Newt speaks you can’t help but listen, understand & learn. Go get ‘em Newt!
redridinghood on May 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Yep, he did.
As did FDR, Kennedy, and Clinton, to make a short list.
Your condemnations of them are posted where?
massrighty on May 15, 2009 at 9:56 PM
NANCY PELOSI’S PANTS ARE ON FIRE
byteshredder on May 16, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Oh, wow, what a bombshell. A old political hack with nothing to lose throwing bombs from the sidelines.
Yawn. Sounds more like a party getting desperate and hoping that investigations don’t take place.
If everything was legal and Bush & Co. did nothing wrong what’s all the fuss about?
ckoeber on May 16, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Well, at least Newt Gingrich attaches his name to his opinions, unlike late night drive-by trolls who do their bombing anonymously.
I find yawning so tiresome, especially as is it’s making a point other than the rudeness and condescension of the yawner.
As to the rest of your talking points:
Do you know what a zombie is?
Loxodonta on May 16, 2009 at 12:51 AM
So what Newt “attaches his name” to his opinions? He has nothing to lose at this point. He called her every name in the book for the shock-jock value.
That sounds more like a guy that wants to remain relevant.
ckoeber on May 16, 2009 at 1:17 AM
I take it that “Newt Gingrich” is one of your Blüchers.
Blücher!
Loxodonta on May 16, 2009 at 1:53 AM
Good God, Ap – only you would try and defend Pelosi.
Try This – I don’t care if her story is 100% accurate. The woman needs to follow Gephardt into oblivion.
budfox on May 16, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Gee Newt, you sound almost surprised by all this. And you have known this woman for how long? Now we are supposed to be shocked that a liberal democrat tells a lie? Come on!
conservnut on May 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2