Update: Schumer drops the big question:
SCHUMER: In your opinion, can the administration use its authority to monitor communications by its political enemies.
GONZALES: We have not done that, Senator. Not an answer, Al. Schumer is grilling Gonzales on his refusal to answer even the most basic questions about how the NSA spy program is being used. One key point, why should the NSA program be un-discussable, even with Congress, when the government routinely discloses counts on the number of FISA warrants applied for.
Schumer is attempting to get Gonzales to answer whether there have been any abuses of the program. Good luck with that one, Chuck.
4:05 p.m.: Mike DeWine made the terrific point that as a "conservative guy" and a "strict constructionist," he doesn't see any basis for going around a statute of Congress. He's now questioning Gonzales on the standards for determining who's listened in on.
Previous good Qs from Lindsay Graham and Arlen Specter. Those three and John Kyl have acquitted themselves well on the GOP side today. The Axis of Orrin has been at its suck-up worst.
Taking a break. Go to TalkLeft for more, since I'm sure Jeralyn Merritt is doing her thing...
Links:
- The NSA spying docments as we know them, from FindLaw...
- The WaPo take so far (quick bite: Gonzales says the media is "misinformed...")
Tags: politics, News, Bush, national security, NSA, government, spying, president, hearings, impeachment |
