Lott Claims Bush Would Never Declassify Intel ‘Just For Political Purposes’
Lott Claims Bush Would Never Declassify Intel ‘Just For Political Purposes’
Yesterday, in an effort to defend his war strategy, President Bush declassified intelligence about a 2005 order from Osama bin Laden instructing aides “to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq — and that the United States should be the top target.” The newly released information was featured in Bush’s commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy today, where he stoked fears of terrorism, saying “All around us, dangerous winds are swirling and these winds could reach our shores at any moment.”
Appearing on Fox News, Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MI) defended Bush’s selective declassification of the intelligence, saying that he is “glad the president made the decision to make it available” and that the administration would never declassify intel “just for political purposes.” Watch it:
Lott appears to be forgetting the administration’s long history of selectively declassifying intelligence that supports their political goals. A few examples:
- In 2003, President Bush personally authorized then-chief of staff to the Vice President, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, to “publicly disclose” sections of the classified National Intelligence Estimate about Iraq in order to push back against Amb. Joe Wilson’s public debunking of pre-war intelligence.
- In 2004, the White House authorized the release of “an off-the-record background briefing” given by former White House terrorism czar Richard Clarke, in order to discredit Clarke after he published a book that was critical of Bush’s pre-9/11 national security priorities.
- In 2006, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) wrote to then-Director of Intelligence John Negroponte complaining that in response to the revelation of the NSA warrantless spying program, “the President chose to selectively declassify aspects of the program that would allow for a public relations campaign to score political points.”
The administration does not appear to leak intelligence except for politically advantageous purposes.
Transcript:
GALLAGHER: Now to that story about new details on Osama bin Laden’s plan for terror attacks against the U.S.According to the FBI, bin Laden wanted the leader of Al Qaida in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to organize the terrorist mission.
With us now, Mississippi Senator and Minority Whip Trent Lott. He also sits on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee.
And, Senator, what do you make of the new intelligence being released?
LOTT: Well, I think it’s important that that information is made available. I’m glad the president made the decision to make it available because it shows that the war on terror and Al Qaida is still targeting the United States and they are very much and have been very much involved in Iraq.
So I’m pleased the president decided to declassify this information and make it available to the American people.
GALLAGHER: The critics are now saying the president is selectively declassifying the information that will support his cause in the war on terror.
LOTT: Well, he is the president. He can’t just declassify everything.
This is information that I think is needed right now for the American people to understand the severity of the threat.
And, of course, the guy that bin Laden was using is now dead himself, so I think it makes sense.
I believe that Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania was calling for the declassification of this information a year or so ago. So, it is a very careful process, and not one that’s used indiscriminately or just for political purposes.
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58 Responses to “Lott Claims Bush Would Never Declassify Intel ‘Just For Political Purposes’”
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And we should believe this clown because…???
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:16 pm..and Lott would never tell a lie!
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:17 pmHey Lottie, just like you would never have a hissy fit at the insurance companies for political reasons — right?
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:17 pmTrent Lott is one of the dumbest GOP members of the Senate. Lott is a complete utter fool and needs to retire from politics for the rest of his life.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:19 pmOh Lott would never ever, ever lie to us. And no politicians would ever lie to us!!
It’s not something that’s gone hand in hand for centuries - politics and lying, that is.
I think we should all start believing our beloved leader, and his follower Trent. I’m going to go back to sleep or watch tv. My government is protecting me.
Some reading:
“Politicians Lie? Say it Ain’t So!”
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:22 pmhttp://www.populistamerica.com/ politicians_lie___say_it_ain_t_so
… and under what rock did he just crawl out from?
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:22 pmMaybe if he did release more classified information for political gain his popularity would be above 35%, but instead he chooses to fight the good fight for the American people. And the thanks he gets? Democrats who care more about their own political capital than the safety of the nation attacking him at every turn.
If only the Congress was made up of 535 men like Bush, the US would be much better off.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:23 pmShorter Lott: W did just that and I am here to cover for his a**.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:23 pmhahahahahahhaha!!!!!
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:24 pmhe says it with a straight face!? amazing
Hi Zooey - don’t you think Lott had his hissy fit with the insurance companies because he was personally, adversely, affected by their decisions?
As far as Bush goes, he treats ‘classified’ intel as a goodie bag to be opened up whenever it suits him. I can practically see him rubbing his hands together in glee!
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:24 pmWell Trent, there isn’t any other rational explanation for the Chimp to have done so. He’s stoking up domestic fear to cover for his utter failings in foreign policy. And playing into OBL’s hand at the same time.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:24 pmbush declassified it yesterday and used it in a major speech today at the coast guard academy… who’s kidding whom…? and here’s the gist of the speech…
And, yes, I DO take it personally
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:25 pmHehe… that’s funny, Mr. Racist Lott. Of course, Bush did exactly that when he outed a covert CIA agent. In fact, what Bush did amounted to ACT OF TREASON, according to his own father.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:26 pmRepukes use fear to stay in power, yet they are 100% complicit in any future attack on the US due to their blind servitude to a retarded President, who’s #1 focus is to make sure America remains a target to the “terrrrrrrists”.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:26 pm“LOTT: Well, he is the president. He can’t just declassify everything.”
No - just the things that suit him and fit his agenda.
“LOTT: I believe that Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania was calling for the declassification of this information a year or so ago.”
Yes - that MIGHT have helped out Santorum’s cause but I guess Bush wanted to keep that ‘classified’ information for a rainy day.
Get ready to be thrown all sorts of ‘declassified’ information at us between now and the ‘08 election! We know the drill by now.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:30 pmSure he would.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:32 pmLott is a political animal who is not only stupid, but he cannot see what is right before his eyes.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:33 pmHi Zooey - don’t you think Lott had his hissy fit with the insurance companies because he was personally, adversely, affected by their decisions?
Absolutely! But Lott also managed to make his hissy fit very public. The only reason for that is political.
As far as Bush goes, he treats ‘classified’ intel as a goodie bag to be opened up whenever it suits him. I can practically see him rubbing his hands together in glee!
Comment by margaret
Ugh. The King has a goodie bag. I’m gonna barf.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:34 pm#12,
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:34 pmThat has me LOL. :)
Just because Bush’s declassified Intelligence fits perfectly with his political purposes de jour doesn’t mean he released it ‘Just For Political Purposes’.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:41 pmIt’s just another George Tenet ’slam dunk’.
Off subject for just one brief post:
Rep. Dennis Kucinich Told The Truth Today!
Wednesday 23rd of May 2007
by Jay Randal
I watched Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s presentation earlier today on C-SPAN, about the US fiasco occupation of Iraq being about OIL only, and Dennis told the truth.
The Bush Regime invaded and occupied Iraq to control its OIL reserves, so BIG OIL corporations can make more profits, and to vilely swindle Iraq in the process.
Pres. George Bush and VP Dick Cheney are forcing the Iraqi stooge government to sign over the extraction of the OIL to the Petroleum Cartel Conglomerate Mafia.
If the so-called Oil revenue-sharing agreement passes in Iraqi Parliament, then OIL CEOs would completely control Iraq’s OIL reserves and would screw them over.
Only very small amount of the OIL sale profits would be shared, with Iraq’s government, so next to nothing would filter down to help the common people in Iraq.
The agreement should really be called “OIL Stealing and Massive Profits for Swindlers Enactment,” and everybody in Congress should be ashamed about it.
(Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:41 pmWow Jay, excellent, thanks.
And did you hear Ron Paul (R-TX) at the Repuke primary debate in Virginia “telling it like it is” (still off-topic)”
Yet, Paul took 2nd in the FoxSchnooze poll after the debate, AHEAD OF GUILLIANI, THE JERK!
GOP Debate Text-Vote Results
— 29% Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
— 25% Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas
— 19% Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Huh? Could the tide be turning that much?
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:53 pm“The administration does not appear to leak intelligence except for politically advantageous purposes.”
The administration does not appear to do anything except for politically advantageous purposes.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:54 pmsniff, sniff, sniff, i smell hitler
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:55 pmIt must be exhausting to keep pretending this is a real President. No wonder Republicans are so dour.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:59 pmsniff, sniff, sniff, i smell hitler
Comment by bs — May 23, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
LMAO!
Or was that sulphur?
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:06 pmStill off topic, but damn, this guy sounds AMAZING. And the legislation he’s proposing to amend to the original Congressional Authorization for Use of Force in Iraq will declare the operation a “success” and that all goals and strategies from the original declaration were accomplished. This tactic just might work:
In summary, stupid Repukes, leaving Iraq AT ANY TIME NOW, is a victory, no matter how badly you feel like losing.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:07 pmlott is a liar and sucks on the bush tit like it was freakin life giving oxygen…
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:07 pmNot a LOTT between those two ears…Guess he feels secure on Faux saying anything because the viewers over there don’t pay close attention to detail.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:09 pmMy name is Trent Lott. You may know me from tv, where I play a politician who acts very certain while total bald-faced lies come out of his mouth.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:16 pm“winds could reach our shores at any moment”
Odd. Dubya wasn’t concerned in the least when the winds from Katrina were about to hit. Hell, Bush didn’t care afterwards either!
George Bush doesn’t care about black people - Kanye West
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:16 pmIf they have to raise the issue, and attempt to defend the declassification, it’s as much as admitting it’s a political ploy.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:20 pmRemember Valerie Plame!
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:27 pm” the administration would never declassify intel “just for political purposes”
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pmIf he really believes that, he’s dumber than he looks, and that, my friends is dumbdumberdumworst.
Lott and McCain…both thrown under the bus at the first opportunity by chimpy and shooter. I’d be damned if I would cover for his monkey ass…EVER! They both did…repeatedly. Party before all else…they must take a blood oath or something?
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:41 pmYeah, ya see, US security takes precedence, period. And if it just so happens that declassifying certain shit, that might inadvertently contribute to a political agenda, is in the interest of US security or well-being, well, I guess that just proves Bush really has the interest of America at heart.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:42 pmRiiiiight. And A.G. Abu Gonzo would never use provisions buried in the Patriot Act to appoint USAs without Congressional oversight. Why are liberal people so paranoid?
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:46 pmThey say “outside Iraq” as if the default location for bin Laden attacks are in Iraq. Has anyone here ever heard of bin Laden planning, financing, or ordering any kind of attack at all within Iraq? I surely haven’t.
BTW-here’s a pdf of the Iraqi oil law in English.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:48 pmhttp://priceofoil.org/ wp-content/ uploads/ 2007/ 03/ Iraqoillaw021507.pdf
Mr. Dildo (aka Clinton / Bush)
Shouldn’t you be molesting someone, or faking someone else’s identity somewhere else? (gee, isn’t the internet fun for a kid!)
Henceforth, ye shall not be addressed, even mockingly, as your screenname. You shall now be addressed as Mr. Dildo.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:49 pmIs that a rug on his head? I listened to the Goodling hearing this morning…all I can say is that there is not one person with (R) after their name that doesn’t put protecting the thugs of this administration before upholding their oath of office. They all put party before country and constitution and law. The GOP is dead and they haven’t had their funeral yet but they will in ‘08. These thugs must go down.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:56 pmOT - but neocons are meeting in the bahamas to see if they can pull off Iran: Iraq the sequel.
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:57 pmhttp://www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe/?p=21
No?
So the CW as to why we know Plame’s name is false?
I suppose he’s antsy to investegate the actual reason for the treason.
No?
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:11 pmThanks for that link Alejandro! I think Jim Lobe is great and I didn’t know that he had a blog!
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:55 pmBush drags out and dusts off the Osama Bin Bush card when the light gets too close to the truth…
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:27 pmThis administration believes and acts as though political purposes are the ONLY consideration for everything they do. This includes declassifying intelligence, outing undercover CIA agents and heaven only knows what else. It appears that there isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for political purposes, no matter how heinous, immoral or treasonous.
How’s those “family values”, Republicans?
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:53 pmYeah MR. DILDO thinks he is witty and funny….don’t lose your job bagging grocerys kid, as a comedian, well, you just aren’t funny, you are the only one laughing.
Hating the Repukian Mafia daily
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:15 pmThis Administration that kills it’s own people for political gain (9/11) :
are absolutely capable of anything.
anything.
I love my country but fear my government.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:36 pmWe have met the enemy and he is us.
what a complete load of horsesh*t !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Declassified because Bush is in trouble, with his approval ratings heading for places that not even Nixon got to.
http://nielsenhayden.com/ makinglight/ archives/ 009024.html
How very convenient. And how very pathetic.
And how will staying in Iraq for another ten years and 50,000 US deaths help the situation? From al Qaeda’s point of view any chaotic failed state would do. Why do you suppose Iraq is a chaotic failed state today?
More desperation from the Bush White House as they attempt to defend the indefensible.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:54 pm“a 2005 order from Osama bin Laden instructing aides “to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq — and that the United States should be the top target.â€
Bush shot himself in the foot again with this stupid stunt. so what, we all know that, AND guess who we should blame for this? duh, Bush!
the point is Bush made Iraq a hotbed for terrorists by ousting Saddam and not seriously hunting down Bin Laden. for those who need reminding , or those that are living in denial, IRAQ HAD NO WMD AND NO TIES TO TERRORISTS., UNTIL WE INVADED!
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:14 pmThis MUST be serious…
…the REPULSIVESCUM trotted out…
…that good ‘ol cuntfederate flag loving, racist TRAITOR…
….TRENT “we wouldn’t be havin’ all these problems” LOTT…
…well by Ceerackers I’m convinced!
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:15 pmDoes this senile old coot have any credibility left?
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 pmHmm, where has Lott been for the last 6+ years?
May 23rd, 2007 at 11:10 pmhttp://www.salon.com/ politics/ war_room/ 2007/ 05/ 23/ selective/ index.html
The president’s selective intelligence
Can anyone explain this to us?
The president won’t say whether he sent his chief of staff and White House counsel to the attorney general’s hospital room in order to obtain reauthorization for his warrantless wiretap program because, he claims, doing so might provide “sensitive” and “highly classified” information to the enemy.
But when the president needs to drum up support for his war in Iraq and make the case that his “war on terror” is succeeding, it’s fair game for him to declassify information that suggests U.S. intelligence officials know what Osama bin Laden was plotting with Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq?
– Tim Grieve
May 24th, 2007 at 5:50 amBut, you see, this plan of OBL’s to make the USA the top target of attacks outside Iraq won’t work as long as the US military is in Iraq. Only if US forces leave will the terrorists be able to follow them to the US because, you know, nobody over there knows where the US is and maps are so unreliable. Obviously they can’t attack us over here as long as we are fighting them over there. Only if we leave Iraq will they be able to figure out where the US is.
May 24th, 2007 at 6:45 amoh thank you trent! we know just how honorable YOU are.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:10 amHA HA HA HA HA HA …. everything these guys do is political. I don’t believe they are capable of being truthful.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:52 am“Thursday morning CBS News’s Early Show criticized President Bush’s latest justification for the Iraq War as being the first line of defense against al Qaeda, by citing an upcoming Senate Intelligence Committee report which states that the administration was warned before the invasion that a US presence in Iraq would actually increase terrorist influence.
Analyst Paul Kurtz expanded on this criticism, saying, “Prior to our invasion of Iraq…Iraq was not a fertile ground for terrorist activity,” but that now “we have a safe haven in Iraq for terrorists.” The administration, says Kurtz, is trying to have it both ways.
When asked directly, “Is the United States winning the war on terror?” Kurtz immediately responded, “without a doubt no” and added that “our continued engagement in Iraq is spawning more terrorist activity.”
time to get a real President, one who knows what they’re doing.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:59 amLet’s not forget Bush’s 2001 declassification of portions of conversations between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and President Bill Clinton. In the declassified transcripts, Barak asks Clinton to pardon billionaire fugitive Marc Rich, who had been convicted of tax evasion. The declassification appears to have been done entirely to embarrass Clinton. Clinton then claimed that the transcripts were taken out of context, and that other exerpts would show the conversation in a more benign light. So Clinton asked that the whole conversation be declassified. And the Whitehouse said “no.” (I have a vague recollection that the Bushies later relented, but I can’t find any evidence to support it.)
May 25th, 2007 at 10:04 am