Specter accuses Cheney of interfering with surveillance investigation

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Jun. 07, 2006
Specter accuses Cheney of interfering with surveillance investigation
By James Kuhnhenn
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - In an unusually pointed letter, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, accused Vice President Dick Cheney of interfering with his panel's attempts to examine the National Security Agency's use of private phone records.

Specter, in a three-page letter Wednesday to the vice president, said Cheney not only lobbied members of his committee behind Specter's back, but also blocked telephone companies from testifying before the Judiciary Committee about any relationship they may have with the NSA.

"I was surprised, to say the least, that you sought to influence, really determine, the action of the committee without calling me first," Specter said in the letter.

The letter came one day after Specter announced that he wouldn't call phone company executives to testify about their NSA dealings. Specter said then that Cheney had informed the committee that the phone companies would not testify about classified information - a development that Specter said "was unsatisfactory to me."
(snip/...)

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/14764141.htm

[DeepModem Mom]

1. NYT/AP: Specter Says Cheney Trying to Influence Eavesdropping Review

Specter Says Cheney Is Trying to Influence Review of Eavesdropping Program
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 7, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter wants Vice President Dick Cheney to stop trying to influence his committee's review of the White House's warrantless surveillance program.

"It is neither pleasant nor easy to raise these issues with the administration of my own party, but I do so because of their importance," the Pennsylvania Republican wrote Cheney in a three-page letter Wednesday.

Specter complained that Cheney was lobbying other GOP Judiciary Committee members to oppose efforts to subpoena phone company executives. Specter wants to find out what they did to aid the National Security Agency's controversial surveillance work.

Specter said he was surprised that Cheney "sought to influence, really determine," the committee's actions without even calling first.

"This was especially perplexing since we both attended the Republican senators caucus lunch yesterday," Specter wrote, "and I walked directly in front of you on at least two occasions en route from the buffet to my table."...

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Eavesdropping.html

[Larry Ogg]

13. Well now what kind of face should we put on today?

Could this issue turn out to be a real hot potato? Don’t want to be on the wrong side of the scandal face? Is this the first time Cheney tried to influence and cover up the truth about anything kind of face?

[mainer]

2. c'mon, specter. Get pissed off like the rest of us.

Maybe Cheney's finally gone too far, even for the GOP.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. Well he huffed and he puffed

and then he wrote a law making it all legal.

Way to go Arlen.

[struggle4progress]

17. Classic Arlen. He's been playing the same game for years: blow hard and ..

.. then do the opposite.

[TroglodyteScholar]

21. Yea, I suppose this clears his conscience. n/t

[wryter2000]

4. What investigation, asshole?

"Gutless Repubican worm"

"I was surprised, to say the least, that you sought to influence, really determine, the action of the committee without calling me first," Awww, he's just jealous that Cheney didn't call him first.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Specter tells Cheney to stop interfering

Specter tells Cheney to stop interfering

CAPITOL HILL A fellow Republican is calling on Vice President Cheney to butt out of a congressional investigation.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter is firing off a three-page letter to Cheney. At issue is the committee's review of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program. The letter asks Cheney to stop lobbying other committee Republicans to oppose subpoenas for phone company executives.

Specter is the most vocal member of the G-O-P to be against monitoring the calls and e-mails of Americans without a judge's warrant. The White House says the program requires that terrorism be suspected, and that one of the parties be overseas.
(snip/)

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=5002235

[Faygo Kid]

6. Specter covering his ass, will do nothing about it.

He is so predictable. Huff and puff for voter consumption, and do exactly what Bush/Cheney wants. Move along folks. Nothing to see here.

[Drum]

9. Yeah, I so wish he'd prove that dynamic wrong this time...nt

[Ammonium]

7. Look Out! Magic Bullet Coming Through

Specter is a political hack, nothing more, nothing less.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Cheney Influence on Panel Irks Specter

Cheney Influence on Panel Irks Specter

By KATHERINE SHRADER
The Associated Press
Wednesday, June 7, 2006; 6:51 PM

WASHINGTON -- Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter wants Vice President Dick Cheney to stop trying to influence his committee's review of the White House's warrantless surveillance program.

"It is neither pleasant nor easy to raise these issues with the administration of my own party, but I do so because of their importance," the Pennsylvania Republican wrote Cheney in a three-page letter Wednesday.

Specter complained that Cheney was lobbying other GOP Judiciary Committee members to oppose efforts to subpoena phone company executives. Specter wants to find out what they did to aid the National Security Agency's controversial surveillance work.

Specter said he was surprised that Cheney "sought to influence, really determine," the committee's actions without even calling first.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/07/AR2006060701804.html

[Sapere aude]

10. Wow another letter to the administration! How many does that make?

The waste basket must be over flowing. The White House is shaking in it's boots with all the letters that have been written!

[tetedur]

11. This is like some high school girls...

Well I walked twice in front of you and you didn't talk to me....
Arlen says, "I'm going to write you a letter. That'll show you."

So Arlen you kissed their ass and they still bitch slap you? Poor baby.

[Miss Chybil]

12. While everybody's worrying about Presidential powers...

somebody ought to be checking on Vice-Presidential Kinghood.

[Boneman]

14. Specter is all show and no go. I wish he would do something

occasionally instead of just talking.

[Jacobin]

15. ooooh, a 'strong letter'.....does this somehow suggest

that he is attempting oversight? or maybe that he wants some letter to show the public in writing he's pretending to do something?

I think its all smoke and mirrors

[gratuitous]

25. Not just a strong letter -- an "unusually pointed" one!

I can just picture Cheney reading over the letter while seated in the smallest room of his lair. And then putting the letter behind him.

Arlen Specter, Senator from Jell-o.

[heartofthesiskiyou]

16. Once an investigation is underway

All participants are barred from influencing the proceedings under TITLE 18 Obstruction of justice. I believe Sec. 1505 Obstruction of Congress is the most appropriate charge. It's an impeachable offense.

http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t17t20+728+96++%28obstrution%20of%20congress%29%20%20AND%20%28%2818%29%20ADJ%20USC%29%3ACITE%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20

[windy252]

18. So that means

"Puddles" Specter has caved in again. Color me unsurprised.

[DemonFighterLives]

19. Comon Spector!

Here's your stage. Let the*m have it!
Don't flounder this time.
:dem:

[Generic Brad]

20. Pure pandering

This was only released to the press so that Specter could present the illusion of being independent of the wishes of the White House. All talk, no action. We're not falling for it this time.

[stepnw1f]

22. What a Performance... (nt)

[radfringe]

23. so when he gets done blowing hot air

he'll bend over again...

[Acadia Blue]

24. Call him and tell him how you feel about it. I did. He represents all

Americans when he deals with issues like this.

[RCinBrooklyn]

26. The Specter Doll: Pull its string and hear it whine. No other features.

[Demeter]

27. Well, Good Morning, Senator Specter!

So nice of you to join us at 15 minutes to midnight in this day of the Bushbots.