Specter: I'm Not Saying Yet Whether Gonzales Lied

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003826.php

Specter: I'm Not Saying Yet Whether Gonzales Lied
By Paul Kiel - July 31, 2007, 6:20 PM

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) appeared on CNN today to say that he still hadn't gotten the information he wants about Alberto Gonzales' testimony on the NSA surveillance program. Therefore, he said, he's still unprepared to say whether he thinks Gonzales lied to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

Specter met with director of national intelligence Michael McConnell yesterday, and as a follow-up, McConnell sent a letter to Specter today explaining what Gonzales was talking about. That letter hasn't yet been publicly released, but CNN reported that the letter covers more of the same ground addressed in prior statements from administration figures. McConnell writes that "a number" of surveillance activities were "authorized in one order" and that "one particular aspect of these activities and nothing more, was publicly acknowledged by the President and described in December 2005." For background on this, see our post explaining this parsing from last week.

Specter said that he needs more than McConnell's letter to decide whether Gonzales lied or not -- he's been promised an additional letter from Gonzales explaining his testimony. That letter (expected at noon today) is still forthcoming: (*video at link*)

Wolf Blitzer: Does this clarify on behalf on Alberto Gonzales that he didn't lie?

Specter: I'm not prepared to say until we get Attorney General Gonzales' letter. I was promised this letter from Admiral McConnell and a letter from Attorney General Gonzales at noon. This one came at mid-afternoon and I've been asked not to comment on it until we have the Gonzales letter. But the Gonzales letter will, in effect, interpret this letter....

There is a question that has been raised about what is in McConnell's letter and AG Gonzales is on the verge of giving the information to at least give his side of it.

[mmonk]

1. I'll say it.

He lied.

[yourout]

2. Liar Liar....pants on fire.

If he was Pinochio we would not have to worry about a shortage of lumber for many years.

[montanacowboy]

3. It's all Arlen all the time

Excuse me somebody....tell me, is Old Arlen the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee? I distinctly remember that The Democrats won the last election but hey, hell, you would Never Fuckin know it.
Where is Leahy? Why is he NOT the spokesman on this? Why is it always the scumbag Arlen out front, blah blahing to the press..... fuckin windbag bastard?

Where are the Democrats? Goddman I am sick and tired of seeing this sleeze bag commandeer this whole thing, why are the Dems giving up their position to this second rate hack?

People of PA had better wake up and shove this dog turd into the gutter

[PA Democrat]

4. How nice of Specter give Gonzales a heads up as to what is in the McConnell letter

so that he can better concoct his own story.

[bdamomma]

5. they really take us for fools huh?

this is really sickening, we all know he lied, WTF is wrong with Specter, ass kisser.

[Avalux]

6. Oh for goodness sake Arlen. What kind of game are you playing?

Even my 11 year old daughter can see Gonzalez is a liar. This is bordering on absurdity.

[bdamomma]

7. is anyone out there, calling his office preferably constituents

call now.

[PA Democrat]

10. His office is closed for the day. I'll call tomorrow

because I prefer to talk to a live person than leave a voice message. I've called him about 10 times at least on Gonzales. I think he cares more about protecting his party than about his constituents' views. But i still keep calling.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Arlen Specter: Water Boy Extraordinaire

Olympic Class Water Boy

World's Most Experienced Water Boy

Carrying Right Wing Water Buckets since Moby Dick Was a Minnow

All grown up, he is now called AquaMAN!

Somebody stop me ........ please ..........

Arlen's Limo

[VP505]

9. Glad to see

Senator SmokeScreen living up to his reputation, funny though he thinks he can fool all of the people all of the time, wonder why Leahy doesn't call him on it?

[bdamomma]

14. any Vermont constituents here, call Senator Leahy please

and give him your concerns about this.

[Canuckistanian]

11. What a goddam drama queen

Either he has some information or he doesn't.

And even if he does, everyone already KNOWS Gonzo is a liar.

[malaise]

12. We all know Specter will back Bushco

He always makes noise and then backs Bushco.

[jaysunb]

13. Does anybody take this guy serious anymore ?

:evilfrown:

[Bjornsdotter]

15. Quelle surprise n/t