"For two months, Intelligence Committee Democrats have been pressing to have all members of the Intelligence Committees fully briefed on the operational details of the President's NSA program.
"We had hoped that the White House would authorize a briefing on December 18, 2005, the day after it was publicly confirmed by the President. General Hayden said he was prepared to brief the full committee, but our request was disapproved by White House Chief of Staff Andy Card.
"The Administration has signaled that it is now shifting course. A senior White House official told me this weekend that it is important to put the program on solid legal footing and improve Congressional oversight. This is welcome news, but it is not a substitute for fully briefing the Committees on the operations of the program and FISA requirements.
"What's worrisome is that the White House remains focused on two political objectives - first, to allow Republicans in tight Congressional races, such as Rep. Heather Wilson, to claim credit for 'progress'; and second, to allow Republican Chairman Pat Roberts to block a bipartisan vote in the Senate Intelligence Committee on a full investigation of the program.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Democrat_White_House_chief_of_staff_0222.html
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