Exclusive: Bush Nixed Dem-DNI FISA Deal

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003862.php

Exclusive: Bush Nixed Dem-DNI FISA Deal
By Spencer Ackerman - August 3, 2007, 5:11 PM

Today, while standing with Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, President Bush lamented the inability of Congressional Democrats to give McConnell the tools he needed to capture the communications of terrorists:

When Congress sends me their version, when Congress listens to all the data and facts and they send me a version of how to close those gaps, I'll ask one question, and I'm going to ask the DNI: Does this legislation give you what you need to prevent an attack on the country? Is this what you need to do your job, Mr. DNI? That's the question I'm going to ask. And if the answer is yes, I'll sign the bill. And if the answer is no, I'm going to veto the bill.

And so far the Democrats in Congress have not drafted a bill I can sign. We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk.

There's only one problem with Bush's statement: it isn't true.

A key Democrat in the negotiations, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), says that a deal had in fact been reached with McConnell, who has been busy lobbying Congress on a FISA update all week. "We had an agreement with DNI McConnell," Hoyer spokeswoman Stacey Bernards tells TPMmuckraker, "and then the White House quashed the agreement."

A bill that House Democrats put forward today does not require the National Security Agency to seek warrants for surveillance of persons inside the United States -- only that the Attorney General will issue "guidelines" as to how collecting the communications of U.S. persons should operate.

A spokesperson for McConnell, Ross Feinstein, says he is "not going to comment" on "what agreements have been or haven't been reached." He adds that McConnell has been "up front as to what the intelligence community needs, obviously what he proposed on April 13 and put in his statement at 11:35 last night," and that McConnell "continues to work closely with members on the Hill." We have a call out to the White House for comment.

[acmavm]

1. Miserable weasels...

<snip>

A bill that House Democrats put forward today does not require the National Security Agency to seek warrants for surveillance of persons inside the United States -- only that the Attorney General will issue "guidelines" as to how collecting the communications of U.S. persons should operate.

<snip>

Now we need to get rid of the chickenshit cowards we sent to Washington last November. These weasel cowards are gonna cost us the next election. Why switch to the other party when they're both the same. Right?

edit: To embed what the ACLU said about this crap in an article yesterday (in case anybody missed it)...


snip>

Some civil liberties groups oppose the proposed changes, expressing concern that there might be far-reaching consequences.

“Congress needs to take its time before it implements another piece of antiterrorism legislation it will regret, like the Patriot Act,” said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. “The Bush administration clearly has abused the FISA powers it already has and clearly wants to go back to the good old days of warrantless wiretapping and domestic spying. Congress must stop this bill in its tracks.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/washington/01nsa.html...

[HereSince1628]

2. Too many of the Dems-for-profit in DC really don't care about anything but

except re-election and that only so they can maintain their industry-government contacts and employment of their immediate family members.

[Zodiak]

3. Well, then they better figure out that re-election will not be had

by suckling on Bush's teat and mewling that they do not have the votes.

Congressional approval is crap right now....3%. I promise you that it is not that way because the Dems are standing up to Bush. Under those circumstances, at least their core constuency would be on-board cheering them on. With the tack that they have taken, not even Democrats approve.

How the hell is that a good campaign strategy for 2008?

[jimshoes]

4. 18 more months

of bluster. Tell him to stuff it. Fire Gonzo then we'll talk.