ABC Highlights Dems Charging Obama Admin Leaked National Security Secrets
Uniquely among the broadcast network evening newscasts, ABC's World News on Thursday ran a report which informed viewers that Democrats in Congress have joined Republicans in accusing the Obama administration of leaking classified information, jeopardizing the country's ability to recruit spies in other countries to help the U.S. in the future.
Host Diane Sawyer introduced the report by suggesting that administration officials have leaked sensitive information to benefit President Obama politically, noting that Democrats have weighed in against the White House as well:
We turn now from Syria to the heart of the nation's capital and a firestorm today as Republicans claim the White House has been leaking national security secrets to the press to make President Obama look good. But Democrats joined Republicans in saying, "Enough, these leaks must stop."
After noting several examples of leaked information, correspondent Jonathan Karl recounted:
Some of the leaks are already under investigation by the FBI. And today, U.S. officials told ABC News the Director of National Intelligence is now doing more lie detector tests of people with access to classified information. Republicans say the leaking is politically motivated and possibly criminal.
After an exchange between Karl and Senator Lindsey Graham in which the South Carolina Republican asserted that the leaks are "coming right from the White House," and that there should be "prosecutions," then came a clip of Arizona Senator John McCain:
Regardless of how politically useful these leaks may have been to the President, they have to stop. These leaks have to stop.
Karl then turned to congressional Democrats joining Republicans against the White House:
JONATHAN KARL: And today, top Democrats on the congressional intelligence committees joined Republicans in denouncing the leaks.
SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): This has to stop. When people say, they don't want to work with the United States because they can't trust us to keep a secret, that's serious.
REP. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER (D-MD): It puts us at risk. It puts lives at risk.
A complete transcript of the report from Thursday's World News on ABC can be found here.
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Comments
Leaks
Submitted by HudsonRiverGirl on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 8:48am.
Past leaks were always designed to harm President GW Bush. The NYSlimes was always happy to oblige even if it meant hurting national security.
This brings the Slimes to a new low if that is possible.
These leaks jeopardize our security, our allies, and the lives of our patriots on the ground working to keep us save.
But on the other hand, HRG,
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:44am.
But on the other hand, HRG, they show what a "tough guy" the Preezy is!
And that's more important!
The Putsch Begins
Submitted by dscott on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:07am.
Do we see the beginnings of the Dem Convention surprise with a draft Hillary call in Charlotte, NC? September would be ideal for the Dems to dump Obama, present Hillary and then reset the election campaign issues. Romney would be forced to completely revamp his tactics as Hillary could plausibly say I didn't agree with Obama on any specific issue where the focus groups (a Clinton MO) tell her it is a losing position.
Imagine Romney's consternation if he tries to pin down Hillary over ObamaCare, her response: While I agree there needs to be something done about health care in this country, I didn't personally agree with the manner it was done. There has to be consensus and this legislation did not meet the high standards of the democratic process. It caused division instead of unity. We have to act on what we know to be common ground.
The Dem Party is saving itself by throwing Obama under the bus. Poetic Justice. Oh how I love how the worm so ever slowly turns...
It'll never happen
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:24am.
Even die-hard Dems are now facing the reality that Obama's re-election is probably less than a 50-50 proposition now. All their efforts to divert attention from the sagging economy are falling short.
But if the Dems dumped Obama at this point, the majority of black Democrats would either bolt the party, or stay home in November. Even if they persuaded Obama to withdraw his name -- highly unlikely given his narcissism -- it would send the Party into total chaos, cascading all the way down through the Congressional elections.
The Democratic Party has doubled down on their horse, and they'll stick with him to the end. Their only hope is that Romney pulls up lame before the finish line.
Democrats Bailing on Obama
Submitted by libBuster on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:43am.
A Democrat news outlet like ABC "News" will not cover a story that puts their leader in a bad light without explicit authorization from "higher ups" in the Party. The take away message is that very powerful people in the Democrat Party want Obama to lose.
I agree, Gal.
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:52am.
That's the same reason Bite Me doesn't have to worry about being replaced by Hillary on the ticket.
As Dr. Krauthammer explained, that would be a tacit admission that he needs help to save his presidency. That's something his narcissism would NEVER allow!
Exactly, mb
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:40am.
And I believe Obama sees his political woes as a communications failure -- others', not his. But even his loyal MSM supporters rue the fact that he never explained (as in "sold") Obamacare to the public, and attribute its unpopularity to Obama's laziness.
So to compensate for a weak record backed by poor communication, he has made twice as many fundraising appearance as Bush-43 did at this point in 2004. He believes that his Fight-the-Rich mantra will persuade the independents that things are better than they really are.
It's the White House's perverse idea of transparency
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:16am.
On the one hand, they leak some of our most sensitive intelligence secrets, jeopardizing not only lives and tens of millions of dollars of investment, but also our cooperation with other countries and individuals, who see us as too great a risk to trust. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says it's the most aggregious security leak he's seen in over 30 years.
On the other hand, Congressmen can't get a straight answer out of the Attorney General regarding the Fast & Furious fiasco. Months after opening its investigative hearings, Issa and company still don't know who in the DoJ ordered it. Yesterday, Holder took the absurdity even further when he insisted that the words "Fast and Furious" written in internal DoJ Emails are not referring to Operatiion Fast & Furious."
Holder ought to be sent to Guantanamo for waterboarding, and the entire White House staff should be polygraphed.
ABC reveals the liberal leanings
Submitted by maxvolt on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:41am.
This is simple to explain people...its obvious.
Most liberals are democrats, so when a democrat steps up and says there is a problem against another democrat (These DEM congressmen/women vice POTUS), they know a HUGE number of their listening customers are aware of it, so THEY MUST REPORT IT. But if it was just republicans saying it, then most of their viewers wouldnt know about it, so they dont report it.
The Obama Media (politbureau), is alive and well. Wait for the spin...its coming to a liberal mainstream media outlet near you soon enough...wait for it...
Well, good for ABC for
Submitted by celator on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:45am.
Well, good for ABC for reporting this story. Obama and his administration's leaked intelligence caper must be so blatant and dangerous that even the D's are ticked off and are going public. And good for them, as well. I fear that if only the R's had raised a ruckus about this, the MSM would have not taken it seriously.
Bottom line is this: Obama is willing to do anything to get re-elected, including exposing our deepest intelligence tactics and knowledge.
But they have been...
Submitted by ArcherB on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:40am.
The R's have been raising a stink about this, and, just like you said, the media has ignored it. Now that the D's are catching on, the media has picked it up. If anything I think it shows that the media holds the Party above The One.
"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary."
--Ernesto "Che" Guevara
This is Chicago politics...
Submitted by c5then on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:55am.
EVERYTHING is secondary to political conciderations.
These reports are treasonous, except that they might have been authorized by the POTUS himself. If a President decides that some bit of information is no longer classified, it's not classified. So here is the question. Did the people who leaked the information commit multiple felonies by disclosing classified information, or did the President eliminate that possibility by declassifying information for political purposes?
It's either one or the other.
One thing is absolutely clear, we know of at least one Pakistani doctor who is in jail because of these leaks. I am sure that many other's are either dead or their lives are in danger because of them.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
The "Drone Master" knows...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:08am.
...dead enemies (and anyone within 100 feet of them) tell no tales (and supply no intelligence)...
Did you know that Baracko killed Bin Laden?
White house staff
Submitted by American.Patriot on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:14am.
should all be water boarded as polygraphs aren't that reliable. This administration continues to be a clear and present danger to the Country. No surprises there...
Sorry, Obama says NO, you cannot investigate me.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:19am.
Emperor Ming cements another brick in the wall.
What's the matter?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:39am.
Don't you trust the DOJ to do their job?
Ok, I can't say that with a straight face.....
-Jon
Life imitates fiction...
Submitted by c5then on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 10:21am.
The Republic is in the control of a Sith Lord.
Nothing is what it seems and all events are orchestrated to provoke a pre-planned reaction.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
There is something treasonous
Submitted by joedoe on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 11:22am.
There is something treasonous about the way this administration puts lives in danger just to generate political soundbites. It's d@mn right frightening that these political hacks could be so callous and STUPID!
The Solution
Submitted by desert3030 on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 11:49am.
After Eric Holder's tesitmony maybe he should be the "Press spokeperson" and handle these questions and answers. Duh....ahhhh, I don't know. We don't read reports. That is not of interest.
Duh,,,, I don't (maybe he can't ; ever think of that?) read daily reports other than Soros'.
The other networks will cover
Submitted by Pinetree3 on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 12:56pm.
The other networks will cover it up just like they are covering up the church lawsuit thing.
Of the 3 alphabet networks,
Submitted by Pinetree3 on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 1:04pm.
Of the 3 alphabet networks, ABC tries to do some honest reporting at least once in a while.