The Pelosi implosion

This is nearly painful to watch:

The Caucus blog has additional detail on the story of the day:

Under fire from Republicans for what she knew about harsh questioning of terror detainees, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday acknowledged that she had learned in 2003 that the C.I.A. had subjected suspects to waterboarding, but she asserted that the agency had misled Congress about its techniques.

At a tense press conference, Ms. Pelosi said for the first time that a staff member alerted her in February 2003 that top lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee had been briefed on the use of tough interrogation methods on terror suspects.

But she said the fact that she did not speak out at the time due to secrecy rules did not make her complicit in any abuse of detainees. She accused the C.I.A. and Bush administration of lying to Congress about what was actually transpiring with the detainees.

“I am saying that the C.I.A. was misleading the Congress and at the same time the administration was misleading the Congress on weapons of mass destruction,” Ms. Pelosi said.

Ms. Pelosi said she was told at that briefing that waterboarding, one of the most controversial of the harsh techniques employed, was not being used.

...

“The speaker’s comments continue to raise more questions than provide answers,” said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the House Republican minority leader. “It’s pretty clear that they were well aware of what these enhanced interrogation techniques were; they were well aware that they’d been used; and it seems to me that they want to have it both ways. You can’t have it both ways.”

Senator Kit Bond of Missouri, vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, issued a more scathing response.

“It’s outrageous that a member of Congress would call our terror-fighters liars,” he said in a statement released by his office. “Instead of prosecuting or persecuting, our country should be supporting our intelligence professionals who work to keep us safe.”

Lies piled upon lies.

The house of cards is on the brink of collapse.  Couldn't happen sooner.

Comments

[Morgan K Freeberg]

I'm so glad we kept that no-nothing hick in her tundra igloo single-wide where she belongs...away from all these big complexificated decisions that really matter. Thank goodness Speaker Nan is here to show us what a mental powerhouse does!

[chuck aka xtnyoda]

This is simply too painful to really enjoy.

I guess the only word that comes to mind is... repulsive?

And this woman is second in line to become President of the United States of America?

OH GOD...

Please keep Obama and Biden safe and well.

please?

[Chris Vehr]

I'm looking forward to seeing this video played over and over again today in the media.

[Toejam]

Nancy Pelosi reminds me of a woman (about 28-yrs) I use to work with.

We were in a high stress sales and marketing unit of a large communications company.

Pat was a perfect example of the "Peter Principle". She had been promoted above her level of competency (ps: She was a very attractive blonde, but I'm sure that had NO bearing on her job status).

When Pat got really rattled she'd runinto the ladies room, lock the door and cry.

After seeing Nancy do her little stutter, stutter, tap dance I'm certain, if a ladies room was in the immediate area she'd have done the same.

[Joe]

Apparently it's not so outrageous; looks like Pelosi was right all along. The CIA WAS lying to Congress. Wonder if folks who excoriated her will now 'fess up & apologize? I'm not holding my breath.

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

That article hardly exonerates Pelosi, she could have, and still can, easily prove hear serious allegations but instead she choice to give a bumbling, stumbling press conference that should give any clear headed person pause. Did the video give you confidence she is telling the truth Joe?

Pelosi still has a lot of explaining to do and Panetta’s testimony is unknown especially as far as her specific allegations. Only someone who sits squarely on the side bashing Pres. Bush at all cost no matter the truthfulness of the attack would not give some thought to what Pelosi said versus the evidence, or rather the lack there of, presented.

Not to leave out the obvious partisan equation in all this. See Locutisprime’s post from today in relation to that.

Yes, if the CIA lied, by all means let’s get it out there, that’s what many people were saying, but for Pelosi, a person in her position, to make such an accusation against such a vital organization for our country’s security, and then offer nothing, nada, zip, to back it up is irresponsible to say the least. If that doesn’t bother you than it good to know for future reference where you’re coming from, Joe.

Right Wingers lie, Pelosi is awesome, got it. Damn the evidence and facts, just attack, attack, attack. The hypocrisy is laughable.