Congressman Issa Weasels on IRS Transcripts After His Case Falls Apart
By Doug Porter
Facing an increasingly skeptical press after being called out for using selectively edited interview transcripts to make his case against the IRS, Congressman Darrell Issa has decided to double down.
Issa, the chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee now says releasing the full transcripts would be “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
Two weekends ago the North County Congressman provided CNN with excerpts of interviews with IRS agents, assuring reporter Candy Crowley that “the whole transcript will be put out.” Issa’s excerpts supposedly had an IRS official conceding that “directions” for to treat Tea Party groups “emanated from Washington.”
He also used his appearance on CNN to label White House Press Secretary Jay Carney a “paid liar”, claiming the spokesperson is “making up things about what happens in calling this local rogue.” Several Republicans, including Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, subsequently chided Issa for that comment.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the ranking Democratic member of the committee, went on CNN last weekend and cited evidence that the supposedly scandalous delays in certification of Tea Party type groups’ applications for 501(c)4 status were instigated by an IRS manager who described himself as a conservative Republican.
The Maryland Representative insists that the full interviews will demonstrate that “the White House was not involved in this”. “I want those transcripts to be released,” Cummings said. “I’m willing to come on your show next week with the Chairman with the transcripts if he agrees to do that. If he doesn’t, I’ll release them by the end of the week.”
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http://sandiegofreepress.org/2013/06/congressman-issa-weasels-on-irs-transcripts-after-his-case-falls-apart/
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