Well, Jeezus K F*CK.
Republicans in Congress brushed aside Democratic pleas for a formal investigation into the handling of intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs, saying Wednesday that routine oversight should suffice.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said some of the Democratic criticism of the handling of the intelligence has "been simply politics and for political gain."
Roberts said his committee will evaluate prewar intelligence on Iraq's WMD and its connection to terrorist groups. It will examine whether the findings were reasonable and accurate. The CIA has begun submitting details of the intelligence that supported administration claims on Iraq's weapons programs.
Roberts said closed-door hearings will begin next week and "when the committee deems it appropriate, we will make whatever public statements that are necessary." The Senate Armed Services Committee has already begun closed-door hearings on the intelligence issue.
Jay Rockefeller and Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan have called for a more formal, joint review by the two committees. They say hearings should be held publicly and privately, administration and intelligence officials should be interviewed and a public report issued.
"The war was premised on the notion that there was a clear and present danger to American interests and we need to understand whether all of those claims were appropriate," the House Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, Rep. Jane Harman of California, said. - link.
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