Josh Marshall: Pat Roberts blocked Niger forgeries inquiry

[Barrett808]

Late-Breaking Pat Roberts Egregious Hackery Update!

Sen. Pat Roberts (R) prevented the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from making any inquiry into the origins of the Niger forgeries. His reason was that there was an on-going FBI investigation and he didn't want to interfere in any way with that investigation.

(See the footnote on page 57 of the SSCI report or this earlier post. http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_07_04.php#003144 )

As we've noted here repeatedly, at least as of late last year the FBI investigation was really a phantom investigation, with little actual work being done to solve the mystery -- something Sen. Roberts almost certainly knew.

So it would seem that any overlap between a criminal investigation and a congressional inquiry is a big no-no to Roberts.

And yet now we hear that he plans to investigate Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation itself.

What this man won't do when Karl Rove calls.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_07_24.php#006157

[KittyWampus]

1. Pat Roberts Needs To Resign NOW! Democratic Activists Should Start

agitating.

This is abuse of power that threatens our national security.

[fooj]

2. We need to get rid of that rat bastard!

Peace.

[BamaBecky]

21. What state is he the senator from?...n/t

[BamaBecky]

22. This really is an outrage..........we can't let this happen!...n/t

[fooj]

26. Kansas!

Grrrrr...

[flyarm]

30. we need to all write letters to the editor ..

kansas city star ...newspaper..and call his office..i used to live in kansas....but i have been calling his office daily letting them have it!!
i keep telling his phone person i will put all my money in getting him thrown out of office!!

and i mean it!!

[jurassicpork]

3. I guess

...investigating the investigators is a bit less obvious than Bush outright firing the special prosecutor, which, of course, he knows very well he can do. I wouldn't put it past him, actually.

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

[KittyWampus]

4. On Second Reading, I Just Caught The Hypocracy. This Might Give Dems

ammunition to stop Robert's attempt to begin an inquiry into Fitz's investigation.

[blm]

5. I say we bombard the media with DEMANDS for Roberts to explain his actions

.

[G_j]

6. I agree, and I am going to do just that, ..let's do it!!! n/t

[blm]

11. Maybe Skinner can formalize an action for DU activists to get on board

and start demanding inquiries into Roberts' role in the coverup for Rove by planting antiWilson talking points into an official Senate Intel report.

[Al-CIAda]

7. Of course, of course...these people are worse than organized crime.

They actually create law and rules to prevent accountability and promote illegal activity.

[ochazuke]

8. Can't Dems hijack the hearings to point out the obvious:

Roberts is an admin. hack

Probe is totally legit

Administration guilty of treason

more?

[blm]

9. Roberts is an active accomplice in the coverup and used an official report

to PLANT antiWilson talking points.

[Just Me]

10. Sounds like a co-conspirator to obstruct justice to me.

I didn't know he was pushing an inquiry into the actual investigation rather than the outing. That seems overtly obstructive to me. Moreover, wouldn't such activity be a violation of the separation of powers? I mean, damn!! I guess these guys are seriously freaking out in taking such actions.

[Supersedeas]

14. the Dem Leadership needs to make this points loud and clear!!

[seafan]

12. Yeah, Sen. Roberts, just as soon as you release the last half of

the 911 Senate Intel Report that details how the intelligence was manipulated by the White House to lie to the American people about this war.

You told us it was forthcoming, but NOT in time for the election, and NOW you're telling us it won't be possible to release it, and yet, you want to change the subject and spend taxpayers' money to investigate the investigator who is getting ready to blow you guys out of office for decades to come. Riiiightttttt.

Go ahead and investigate.

[Burried News]

23. It's a contest between Roberts and Warner to see who can uphold

info the longest. Roberts will stonewall Phase 2 (the misuse of intelligence) and Warner will stonewall the rest of the Taguba Report (second set of Abu Ghraib photos). That's OK we're a real patient bunch.

[Snotcicles]

13. Fitz should bring Pat Roberts before the grand jury

and find out his involvement.

[Alizaryn]

15. Excellent idea.

We need to begin an outcry now, before it gets any further.

[Jacobin]

16. Or charge him with obstruction of justice

:-) for trying to de-rail the investigation

[Barrett808]

18. please please please n/t

[jsamuel]

17. But he is ok with interfering with Fitz's investigation?

"he didn't want to interfere in any way with that investigation"

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. Hatch was involved, too!

[Burried News]

24. Urine Hatch is definitely involved.

He and Bill (Medicare for all you can) Frist were the first to say Wilson should be investigated for perjury.
Yeah, Urine you were doing all the fabricating and Wilson perjured himself? Want to investigate something - investigate the death of John Kokal.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

20. A new entry in the con to english dictionary!

Interfere: (v) To provide addtional information which would help an investigation.

Gotcha Pat :eyes:

[paineinthearse]

25. Two thoughts

1. The executive (DOJ/FBI) and the legislative (Senate) are two SEPERATE BUT EQUAL branches of government. Each have investigative powers.

2. Using office to block a body from performing its lawful duty is an OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, and impeachable offense.

[Barrett808]

27. One hopes Fitzgerald has Roberts in his sights, precisely for obstruction

Maybe I'm just fantasizing.

[oasis]

28. kick to expose Sen. Pat Roberts, a real piece of work.

[SlowDownFast]

29. more info about this and what to do here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4205582