WP: Democrats Respond to Goss Nomination With Caution

[kskiska]

By Mike Allen and Walter Pincus

By picking a loyal GOP lawmaker to head the CIA, President Bush tried to reassert himself on an issue where he has been losing ground -- but did so at the cost of inviting Democratic accusations he is politicizing intelligence.

Aides had said six weeks ago that Bush was on the brink of naming Rep. Porter J. Goss of Florida to replace George J. Tenet, who left office a month ago today. Democratic senators, in unusually tough statements about a fellow lawmaker, warned that Goss would be an unacceptable choice because of what they described as his partisanship. Even some Republican senators said the confirmation battle would not be worth it.

Bush nominated him anyway.

Administration officials said the White House calculated that the president could not lose: Democrats would either cave when faced with a fight, or Bush could accuse them of obstructing CIA stability at a time when the nation is under threat of a terrorist attack.

Republican officials said the White House is also worried by polls showing erosion in Bush's image as commander in chief after Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) endorsed, more than a week before Bush, a reorganization of the intelligence services recommended by the commission investigating the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54947-2004Aug10.html

[GainesT1958]

1. And why should they confirm Porter Goss?

I mean, for starters, we'll lose access to his private office line that Michael Moore was nice enough to reveal to us!:D

And, second, who will the Sanibel Island (in his district) Historical Society Museum have to get them all the pork barrel money they need to stay open?:eyes:

Still...after "Fahrenheit 9/11", it's obvious Goss has all the qualifications needed to become Director of Central Intelligence under Dub: he's a good straight-faced liar!x(

B-)

[Rose Siding]

2. Headline: Democrats cave

Good, cautious, *prudent*...how bad could he be?

snip>
On June 23, Goss stood up on the House floor during debate on the intelligence authorization bill and, using a chart about reductions in the intelligence budget in 1997, criticized "distinguished members of the Congress as Senator John Kerry" for such actions. "I got books full of that stuff," Goss said, adding: "There is no doubt where the record is. The Democratic Party did not support the intelligence community."

[David Dunham]

3. Forget this fight. Goss is out in January if we get Kerry elected.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. ...and if we don't (get Kerry elected)?

Then what?

One word: principle.

[noonwitch]

10. Agreed-save the fight for judicial nominees

If Bush is not elected, and maybe Rhenquist decides to step down before January 21, that could be a serious battle if Bush tries to cram in an appointment before leaving office. Two battles, really-a new appointee and a new Chief Justice.

[Joanne98]

11. No way. Fight it with all your might

He's the one who's going to "clean up" all the evidence of Bushco's crimes. We need all the evidence we can get. If the dems let them do this I'm going to scream. FILLIBUSTER IT. Remember Ollie North and Fawn Hall, parden's for the Iran/Contra criminals etc. etc. NO MORE COVERUPS. I hope true patriots at the CIA are copying and taking home what we're going to need to finally take down BFEE.

[pfitz59]

5. Goss is a partisan hack......

imagine if he takes on J. Edgars mantle..... (Shudder!)

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Timed to "bury" news of Pelosi meeting; meant to "slow-walk" intel reform

by "changing subject." From the article:

The timing of the president's surprise announcement yesterday of Goss, who has been under consideration since Tenet announced his retirement on June 3, gave Democrats in Congress another reason to argue politics is at play.

"He did it to top the Nancy Pelosi meeting," said one senior House Democrat, referring to the House minority leader, who brought her colleagues in from vacation to show their support for the 9/11 recommendations. Her call for a special session to pass reforms by the third anniversary of the attacks "will be buried," the legislator said.

Flynt L. Leverett, who was a senior director on Bush's National Security Council last year and now is informally advising Kerry, said the Goss selection was also a way for Bush to slow-walk a revision of the nation's intelligence machinery. "They could try to get serious about intel reform, which I think they're reluctant to do, or they could try to change the subject, and this is a way of changing the subject," he said.

[gatlingforme]

7. Look at Goss voting record, he's a friggin NEOCON

http://www.issues2000.org/FL/Porter_Goss.htm

[0007]

8. I say confirm Porter J. Goss only after he has heard Sibel Edmonds

and everything she has said and comes forward to the American people with a solution and why she was muzzled.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Throw "caution" to the wind, Goss must NOT be confirmed by Senate!

Goss is a political hack and it doesn't matter what letter follows his name, or that of the President that nominated him, Goss must NOT be confirmed by the Senate.

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. Time to bring out the dirt

and the Goss nomination opens up a big stinking can of worms. People need to know who and what this slimball is all about.

He will do everything he can to protect the Bu$h family and their secrets. He will put them before American every day.

You think Ashcroft in the DOJ has been a disaster, just wait until this guy takes over the CIA. Then try to remove this cabal from power. Good luck.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

13. Message to Dem Politicians...YOU ARE BEING WATCHED. Don't puss out!

Hey, Dem Pols! You want to know why Dean was SO effective in moving the base?

He STOOD UP to the Repuke tactic of putting Dems in a catch-22 situation.

NOW, GET SOME BALLS AND FIGHT THIS NOMINATION. Who wants to vote for a bunch of wimps?

JB

[DeepModem Mom]

14. kick