Did Jane Harman Help Persuade NY Times To Hold Wiretapping Story Until After 2004 Election?

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/did-jane-harman-help-persuade-ny-times-to-hold-wiretapping-story-until-after-2004-election/

Did Jane Harman Help Persuade NY Times To Hold Wiretapping Story Until After 2004 Election?


Did Dem Rep Jane Harman help alter the course of history by helping persuade The New York Times to hold its big expose about Bush’s warrantless wiretapping until after the 2004 election, which may have helped Bush defeat John Kerry, the nominee from Harman’s party?

That potential revelation — huge, if true — is buried in the the big and most-talked about story of the morning: This blockbuster by CQ Politics, which reports Harman was overheard on an NSA wiretap some time in 2005 promising a suspected Israeli agent that she would push for reduced charges against two AIPAC officials.

In exchange, the story reports, Israelis would push Nancy Pelosi, who was soon to become House Speaker, to grant Harman the chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee.

Some of this has been reported before, and an earlier FBI probe of her role had been dropped. But one new piece that CQ is reporting is that then Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stepped in and got that FBI probe dropped — in exchange for her voicing support for the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program, which was about to be disclosed to the public. Check out this nugget:

According to two officials privy to the events, Gonzales said he “needed Jane” to help support the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program, which was about to be exposed by the New York Times.

Harman, he told Goss, had helped persuade the newspaper to hold the wiretap story before, on the eve of the 2004 elections. And although it was too late to stop the Times from publishing now, she could be counted on again to help defend the program.

This is a big deal: Gonzo reportedly said he knew he could count on Harman’s support for warrantless wiretapping because she had helped persuade the paper to hold the story on the eve of the 2004 election. If you recall, the paper’s decision to hold the story until after the election was quite controversial, with some saying it changed the election’s outcome.

Harman is angrily denying the quid pro quo alleged in the story. But if this piece of it is true, Harman helped alter the course of history.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Background - I have been waiting for this day - FOR A VERY LONG TIME!

Analyst Charged With Passing Iran Info: Franklin Turned Self InTo FBI
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1444053
Fieth resigns from Pentagon today
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1186412
Former CIA official looks to leak the truth
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=886884
New Israeli spy probe has a 30-year history, insiders say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=852863
Israel's Mole Inside the Pentagon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=783161
FBI probes Jewish sway on Bush government
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=802725
Money from Iran Fuels Iraq Insurgency -Rumsfeld
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=810129
Israeli spy nest in the U.S. - Ashcroft says: ’Don’t arrest them!’
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=802249
FBI probes DOD office (spy probe widens)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784155
F.B.I said to reach official suspected of passing secrets ....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=786361
Analyst Who Is Target of Probe Went to Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784792
Knight Ridder:FBI espionage probe goes beyond Israeli allegations
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784274
Pentagon Analyst Was Cooperating When Israel Spy Case Became Public
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=786505
Iran-Contra II? Fresh scrutiny on rogue Pentagon operation -Josh Marshall
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784906
AIPAC's Overt and Covert Ops
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=788267
UK Express: (Perle) Faces (FBI) Quiz Over Links to Israeli Spy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=785131
Israel Says It Has No Need to Spy on U.S.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=787437
F.B.I. Is Said to Brief Pentagon Bosses on Spy Case; Charges Are Possible
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=788936
LAT: FBI Questions Israeli Lobbyists (AIPAC) in Spying Probe ((Gilon mentioned)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=789576
FBI briefs Wolfowitz on Israeli spy claim
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=790076
F.B.I. Interviews 2 Suspected of Passing Secrets to Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=792950
FBI seizes computer from AIPAC offices
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=791564
Pentagon Office in Spying Case Was Focus of Iran Debate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=795432
Leak Probe More Than 2 Years Old (AIPAC)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=795905
AIPAC hires lawyers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=794332
Spy probe scans neo-cons' Israel ties (long article from Asia Times)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=794029
FBI Informed White House of AIPAC Probe Two Years Ago
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=797181
Alleged Pentagon Leak to Iraqi Is Under Investigation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798060
Serving Two Flags The Bush Neo-Cons and Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=799167
Israeli political advisor may have received U.S. secrets
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=795817
Wider FBI Probe Of Pentagon Leaks Includes Chalabi - WaPo
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798333
LAT: Israel Has Long Spied on US,Say Officials(but CIA, Mossad "intimate")
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798631
Defense, Cheney Iran Specialists Questioned in (Israeli Spy) Probe
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=801031
Leak Inquiry Includes Iran Experts in Administration (WaPo)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=801678
A Web Of Intrigue Inside the Israel espionage investigation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=803022
Pro-Israel Lobby Has Strong VoiceAIPAC Is Embroiled in Investigation of Pe
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=803035
Israel's Mole Inside the Pentagon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=783161
FBI probes possible Pentagon leak to Iraqi exiles
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=805885
Reporters' Files Subpoenaed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=815381
Secrets: Classified Info: Springing a Leak
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x803017

[panader0]

3. Wow! great research. Bookmarking this.

[AzDar]

14. Spectacular! Thanks for the info...

:applause:

[derby378]

2. If true, here's what needs to happen...

First, Harman needs to be blacklisted from every Democratic convention or gathering on the state or national level. No more free passes to the convention floor for our little quisling.

Second, she needs to face charges. Someone else on DU mentioned treason. But I'd be happy with a life sentence.

Third, she needs to be made to watch as all of her co-conspirators stand before the judge's bench.

[global1]

5. Can She Be Forced To Resign - Or Can She Be Impeached?.....nt

[derby378]

12. That's strictly up to her constituents, I'm afraid

If charges are brought against Harman, however, she could possibly be forced out of the House - but don't quote me on that.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Except Harman didn't get the Chair

That's the thing that's bothering me about this connecting dots. Why didn't Pelosi give Harman the Chair?

[babylonsister]

7. I've read previously there is no love lost between Pelosi and Harman.

I don't know if Pelosi would let personal feelings get in the way.

[Johonny]

9. They dislike each other

Harman is my representative. Yeach wish they came out before the election.

[Fireweed247]

15. Throw her out now!

Go to her office with an angry mob and demand that she resign.

This is bullshit. We cannot wait for another fixed election. AIPAC has major control over our elections.

Isn't working for another country treason? Both she and Gonzo have committed crimes. They should be arrested.

[Snazzy]

10. did she turn around and blackmail Pelosi?

Or use her new found creepy buddies at the NSA to blackmail Pelosi?

There were some other deals made it seems. Maybe we will get to the heart of impeachment is off the table and the start of all this we must look forward and not backward bullshit.

One things for sure, tug at the AIPAC thread and you get into the worst of all of it. Neocon central, internal fighting under Bush, bomb Iran, Plamegate. How about a nice hot Chalabi?

Bookmarked this search last night for a refresher (although SLAD has that covered :hi: :

http://www.google.com/search?q=site:http://www.warandpiece.com/+aipac&hl=en&safe=off&start=20&sa=N

Edit to add:

Just beautiful really. They use wiretapping to protect the illegal wiretapping. A little self serving there NSA/Hayden.

[Norquist Nemesis]

22. Sounds like Pelosi got wind of it

from tonight's Countdown. It wasn't exactly clear how Pelosi learned about it or when (or who) though. I don't think Pelosi would take too kindly to blackmail. (Although I suspect that's what Bushetals did...they told her she'd be up on treason charges if she divulged any illegal activities she learned of during "classified briefings" to keep her from allowing impeachment).

Bottom line, she didn't appoint Harman as Chair.

[Snazzy]

23. plot thickens

NYT: In return, the caller promised her that a wealthy California donor would threaten to withhold campaign contributions to Representative Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who was expected to become speaker after the 2006 election, if she did not select Ms. Harman for the intelligence post.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/us/politics/21harman.html?hpw

[PassingFair]

16. Because Pelosi is a better person than most give her credit for...

AND smarter.

I have always felt that since
she was so DESPISED by both
the right AND the left, she
must be doing SOMETHING RIGHT!

[TahitiNut]

6. DLC and "New Dem" ... what else could anyone expect?

:eyes:

[Spazito]

8. That was the item in the article that caught my interest most of all....

I hope there will be follow-up on it. Harman has always struck me as more sympathetic to the bush side of the aisle on more than one issue and, if it is true there was, in essence, a quid-pro-quo re trying to reduce the charges in hopes of getting the Chairmanship, it does not surprise me much at all.

[liskddksil]

11. The DLC defenders are nowhere to be found today..

[Fireweed247]

13. K&R

WE need to force her to resign. We need to force the entire Congress to resign so we can elect(on paper ballots) a new Congress that will do their damn jobs and prosecute Gonzales, Rove and all the other bastards in Bushco.

What do they have on John Conyers I wonder...

[PassingFair]

17. Notice how many of those threads got LOCKED?

VERY interesting.

[anonymous171]

18. Yep. Skinner is a mossad agent. Watch your back. nt

[WI_DEM]

19. Only the ones which provided no links and accused other DUers of being traitors

[WI_DEM]

20. If true she has some splaining to do, and she should be held accountable by the people of her

district.

[mod mom]

21. This is a big deal! Has anyone asked Ms Harman if she intends to resign?

Has anyone asked the DoJ if they intend to prosecute?