Reply #20: It wouldn't be the damage from the release that's perceived, but

[Norquist Nemesis]

the damage the CIA would do with disinformation/misinformation campaigns that would seek to bring down the Obama Administration.

As to the Congress...it frustrates me to no end as well. I'm still PO'd when Pelosi took impeachment (not even hearings!) "off the table" just before the election. Honestly, I thought the theme of 2006 was "Make them ACCOUNTABLE!!!!" Silly me.

But that said, it's my 'belief' (with no facts in evidence other than their actions) that every briefing Congress received was only provided with Bushetal's protection of "National Security". Had any member of Congress come out and said a "peep", Bush would have had that Member immediately arrested and put up on charges of treason. Rather than having any debate over what was "peeped", the entire focus would be a thorough demonization that a Member of Congress(D) committed high treason against the US by revealing state secrets and threatening the National Security of the US.