Rockefeller on Bush’s NSA Shift: ‘Unacceptable,’ ‘I Can’t Trust What They’re Doing’

[struggle4progress]

... QUESTION: In that same vein, the White House reversed course and said it was going to submit its program to court review. Yet, as chairman of the committee they so far, I believe, have refused to show you the details of that agreement. Do you think they’re trying to hide something?

ROCKEFELLER: Yes, I do. Never doubt my answer to a question like that when it comes to the White House and sharing intelligence. Allowing the Intelligence Committees to do their lawful work. Without oversight, governments run amuck. They can’t help it.

...

QUESTION: Senator, if what the administration has done is to convince the FISA court to review criteria, rather than specific cases. Is that acceptable to you?

ROCKEFELLER: It is not acceptable on me. And in fact, most of what the administration announced about that whole procedure, working through the FISA courts, was not acceptable to me simply because I can’t trust what they say. In the end, every single wiretap has to have a warrant. No, I don’t trust what they’re doing. My basic premise is what the president said to the entire country. It doesn’t make any difference what the congress says I’m going to go ahead with my plans, and indeed, he will.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/29/rockfeller-nsa-shift/

[Joe for Clark]

1. He is a good man.

You know, his father was a republicn - a liberal republican - there did used to be such a thing.

He is a lot like his father, I think.

Joe

[Tellurian]

2. He's stayed silent way too long..

He's a little too passive and has been reluctant to engage the Radical Right.
I hope he realizes who he's dealing with. Rockefeller or no, they would still give him a tearful eulogy on the Senate floor.

A strong Demo should reach out to this man. He's had enough. He would be a valuable asset to a Demo Team!