Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence regarding Clinton & Passportgate

[beachmom]

I am seeing a lot of accusations that the Clintons are implicated in the security breach of Obama's passport. It seems to be related to a Clinton appointee (reappointed by Bush 43) being in charge of that particular department. Well, that just doesn't persuade me of anything, especially if this person was a career civil servant. I think people ought to be careful here, and stick with the facts. Right now, we know very little, so everybody needs to take a deep breath, calm down, and patiently wait for the evidence to seep out.

And don't worry: this WILL be investigated. By the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Al Giordano points out that Joe Biden (who Al thinks is in the top 3 VP choices) is going to relish this spectacle, and there are pro-Obama senators as well as pro-Clinton senators sitting on that committee:

Democrats

Joseph R. Biden Jr. (DE) Chair
Christopher J. Dodd (CT)
John F. Kerry (MA)
Russell D. Feingold (WI)
Barbara Boxer (CA)
Bill Nelson (FL)
Barack Obama (IL)
Robert Menendez (NJ)
Benjamin L. Cardin (MD)
Robert P. Casey Jr. (PA)
Jim Webb (VA)

Republicans

Richard G. Lugar (IN) Ranking Member
Chuck Hagel (NE)
Norm Coleman (MN)
Bob Corker (TN)
John E. Sununu (NH)
George V. Voinovich (OH)
Lisa Murkowski (AK)
Jim DeMint (SC)
Johnny Isakson (GA)
David Vitter (LA)

I think this investigation will get to the bottom of this. So let's sit back, and wait for the facts and evidence to come out. It may be a big nothing, a little something, or something far more sinister. I just am disturbed that people are launching attacks without having the proper evidence to back up their claims.

[mmonk]

1. An investigation that gets to the bottom of anything?

That will be a first.

[beachmom]

6. Well, Al thinks even John McCain will express outrage on this thing.

I do hope that John Kerry plays an active role on this. He is known in his investigations of the late 80s and 90s to go wherever the facts lead him. So he is very trustworthy and tenacious.

[Frustratedlady]

12. With Biden, Dodd and Kerry sitting on the board?

Whoa! What a team. I don't want to miss that hearing.

Just heard Condi say everything was under control and it will be investigated. I feel better. :argh:

[mmonk]

30. Fine people. I'm just used to being disappointed.

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. Ex CIA Chief and Bush apologist George Tenet

was a Clinton appointee also, and Richard Clarke was originally a Republican appointee.

[babylonsister]

3. Good post, beachmom. I want to know either way why this happened

and who's involved, but I'm willing to wait. Knee-jerk reactions don't do anyone any good at this point.

[rug]

4. Thank you for a factual and intelligent post.

[FreakinDJ]

5. I doubt the Clintons had any thing to do with this

This has Bush written all over it as this same scenario was played out when Bill was running against Poppy Bush

[beachmom]

8. "Private contractors" does sound like a red flag to me. However, even there,

I would prefer to see what evidence comes out. I hope the folks at TPM double check the facts when reporters refuse to.

[FreakinDJ]

17. Private contractors have been a problem all through the State Dept

A couple of private contractors down in the Laguna Niguel Service Center shredded approx. 90,000 visa applications a couple years ago when they felt their work load was too heavy and were prosecuted for it.

So this would not be the first time they have had problems with private contractors.

But in all fairness, the privatization of many government positions was a Republican policy and I would think they would have much more allegiance towards their republican overlords rather then any thing Clinton who downsized government substantially when in office

[Dinger]

23. It's Got A rove-like Stench To It If You Ask Me, Sort Of A "Whisper Campaign"

Al la Ann Richards.

[FreakinDJ]

29. Agreed - just more Operation Kaos

[PM7nj]

7. I doubt she is involved.

Hillary is not stupid. If she was involved, everything would be over for her. She would know that trying to do this would be amazingly dumb.

[elixir]

9. Anything to divert from Pastorgate.

[dogindia]

22. you said it. Passportgate is more entertaining than Pastorgate

KO could hardly keep his breath. Pastorgate brought a careful speech. Passportgate brought on lots of wild moment by moment entertainment that wasn't the usual death and distruction stuff but more a relief from the usual. Will being the usual typical incompetent bushadmin stuff. Think it was pure relief

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

10. At This Point, The Accusations Are Really Really Dumb, Reckless, Irresponsible And Shameful.

I'm embarrassed reading them by so many here, and it just shows how knee jerky some have become. Some are ready to just latch onto anything and assassinate the character of a fellow dem just for their own selfish gains. It's pathetic to be honest.

[helderheid]

14. agreed

Woah, did I just say that? :P

[leftynyc]

18. Now there's the unity that will come

in handy in November!!! Frankly, if Sen Obama has Richardson as his VP pick, it's over for mccain. That's a winning ticket if I've ever seen one.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. I Agree, But It's Very Interesting

It shows the incredible mistrust of The Clintons by foes and friends alike.

One might expect Clinton foes to post these accusations.

But the lack of many posts defending Clinton on DU is fascinating. I believe that even those disposed towards The Clintons know that they will do stuff like this in a heartbeat if they think it will be a net gain - and they know that Clinton denials, with or without finger wagging, are no indicator of the truth.

[helderheid]

13. rec'd

[Rosa Luxemburg]

15. sounds more Rovian?

[DemzRock]

16. Didn't this person work for 3 GOP administrations? LOL! n/t

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

19. Great comments at the link, also. K&R

[dailykoff]

20. Lots of smoke from this fire.

And if Obama is on the investigating committee, he can keep it stoked all spring.

[Adelante]

21. Wisewoman, I agree

:)

[Dinger]

24. Almost Forgot, K & R (nt)

[Ichingcarpenter]

25. Rice was just on TV where they said she would take questions

She did a lot of ah.. and ah ... ah ....eyes blinking and then said

"I would be disturbed if someone looked into my file however"

"I can't comment because it an on going investigation" 15 seconds
that was it.

[Celebration]

27. I do think she is ticked off

I have a feeling that she actually didn't know about all this, and she was not happy to be caught flat footed by a reporter. At this point I don't think she knows whodunnit. And, ultimately, we will know only if it suits her purposes.

[MethuenProgressive]

26. It's Tradition with the RW and Obama followers to make extraordinary and bogus claims about Clinton.

And not Tradition in nice way ala Tevye either.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

28. kick

[Tom Rinaldo]

31. I dunno about that

Paul is dead, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_is_dead