American Elephants

Much in the news today is Congressional “shock” that they were not briefed by the CIA on a program that they originally authorized; but which never came close to becoming operational.

This seems at first glance to be an attempt to butter over Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s claim that the CIA lied to Congress. (CIA Director Panetta briefed both the house and the Senate on the same day, but the Senate Intelligence Committee has had nothing to say).

Director Panetta has said that there was no indication of anything illegal or inappropriate about the effort.  But Democrats on the House committee demanded that Panetta take back his claim that the CIA has never misled Congress.  Now why would that make me think that they were trying to give political cover to Ms. Pelosi?

The program was a plan to capture or kill al Qaeda operatives, and never — according to a CIA senior intelligence officer — came close to becoming operational.  Though I’m not sure what the fuss is about.  Wasn’t that what we wanted, to capture or kill al Qaeda?

Panetta said that according to his notes, Vice President Cheney directed the CIA not to tell Congress specifics of the secret program.  Possibly because secret programs have a way of appearing on New York Times front page shortly after intelligence committees are briefed?

Never mind.  It’s just another case of politics as usual.  Dragging out “Bush did it” is the favorite attention deflector in the Obama playbook.