Despite bipartisan outcry over NSA phone call database, CNN's Henry said, "Democrats obviously are already pouncing on this"
SUMMARY: On CNN's Live From, CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry suggested that only Democrats are criticizing the just-exposed National Security Agency program that collects phone call records of millions of Americans, as first reported by USA Today. Henry ignored immediate questions and criticism from prominent congressional Republicans such as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter (PA), Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (SC), and House Majority Leader John Boehner (OH).
On the May 11 edition of CNN's Live From, CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry suggested that only Democrats are criticizing the just-exposed National Security Agency (NSA) program that collects phone call records of millions of Americans, as first reported in a May 11 USA Today article. Echoing President Bush's own comments made hours after the USA Today story broke, Henry claimed that "the government appears to be ... collecting these records but not actually eavesdropping, not listening in on the calls, an important distinction [emphasis added]." Henry then said, "Nevertheless, Democrats obviously are already pouncing on this." But Henry ignored immediate questions and criticism from prominent congressional Republicans such as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (PA), Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (SC), and House Majority Leader John Boehner (OH).
As The Washington Post noted, Specter announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee "will be calling upon AT&T, Verizon, and BellSouth as well as others to see some of the underlying facts" of the reported NSA phone call database. Specter added that "[w]hen we can't find out from the Department of Justice or other administration officials, we're going to call on those telephone companies to provide information to try to figure out exactly what is going on."
An April 11 Associated Press article also noted the skepticism of Boehner and Graham. The article quoted Boehner: "I don't know enough about the details except that I am willing to find out because I'm not sure why it would be necessary to keep and have that kind of information." Similarly, Graham asked: "The idea of collecting millions or thousands of phone numbers, how does that fit into following the enemy?"
Henry's comment stressing that the NSA is "not actually eavesdropping" reflects a comment Bush made shortly after the story broke. Without confirming or denying the existence of the NSA data collection efforts, Bush said, "[T]he government does not listen to domestic phone calls without court approval."
From the May 11 edition of CNN's Live From:
BUSH [video clip]: We're not mining or trolling through the personal lives of millions of innocent Americans. Our efforts are focused on links to Al Qaeda and their known affiliates. So far, we've been very successful in preventing another attack on our soil. As a general matter, every time sensitive intelligence is leaked, it hurts our ability to defeat this enemy
HENRY: Now the president was referring to an important distinction here, which is that the government appears to be -- again, he didn't confirm it, but based on the USA Today report -- collecting these records but not actually eavesdropping, not listening in on the calls, an important distinction. Nevertheless Democrats obviously are already pouncing on this. This is likely to ignite an even bigger firestorm than already expected for the confirmation hearings that could begin as early as next week for the president's pick to be CIA director, Michael Hayden.
CNN gets worse by the minute! I am glad that Henry is defedning the administration and the major increase of this program compared with previous reports and statements by the president, Rice, some media figures etc etc.
Oh yea, they even wanted them to send to jail for betrayel.
At this point, why on earth should we (the people) believe this administration in regard to anything? How many times can they go to the well?
and should not believe him until he is fully investigated. Until that time thisgovernment should be on unpaid leave so they cannot commit fraud or pressure on any of the (republican) commissions.
someone smoking dope and when an officer comes by he hides the sigarette in his mouth. Upon the question what he is doing the doper answers 'nothing' despite the clear smell of grass. He is geting eway with it each time, until another officer comes by and asks the doper to open his mouth. He finds the jopint, but luckely the doper can answer that he is just trying it and not smoking it over his lungs! He is dismissed.
was correct; the Truth comes out!
There’s an article on Smash the Man ([link to www.smashtheman.com] that hints that this might be tied into recent mergers and acquisitions - in other words, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.
I just read the article about this in the "liberal" Times and they also used the line about Democrats being the only ones to complain. They also went out of their way to point out how "angry" the Dems are about it.
will not be Happy with this affront to personal privacy. The approval hearings for the New CIA Head will be interesting, unless there is late breaking news from Aruba, or an attack on Iran!
Final Score
Bush: 3
Liberty: 0
I can't believe our representatives are this ignorant of data mining and the fact it is one of the safest methods of tracking down terrorists with the least personal liberties intrusion. Going on an airplane has a thousand times more personal liberties intrusion than the technology used to trace phone traffic patterns and clusters. I'm embarrassed for Lindsey Graham. C'mon Lindsey, study up on the new technologies. Give 'em hell Bush. It is unbelievable when George Bush is smarter than Congress. This is great stuff, a great weapon on terrorism, and congrats to all the scientists who have worked so hard on this technology. I have read some papers by some u of michigan students who have worked on this and I say great job.
you must be kidding. I have read the American Constitution and its wording, "Probable Cause", is at least as Interesting as the mysterious U. of Michigan dissertation. Is this a Fox News "Source"?
conservatives argued AGAINST government intrusion into our lives? Now they cheer it on.
So, leatherman, just what DOES a conservative stand for today?
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin
If you're seriously trying to convince Americans their personal information is safe , I would suggest you look at the history of this administration.
No one can say for sure where the government lies begin, and if they'll ever end. If you can't investigate your own government , there's no way to affectly clear them. But I understand with the Bush base it's all about faith.
So I guess it's fair to say you have more Faith in the 29% man than the rest of us.
Who talks to who? for how long? from what location? And cameras, cameras, everywhere in New York, anyhow. the subways, the projects, the elevators, the stores...
From Russert, to Matthews, to many other reporters on major networks, so many of them spew the talking points from the RNC, with no reservation.
After the NYT story on the domestic wire taps and now after the USA Today story we find out our government is spying on us but it's ok for them to data mine if they PROMISE not to listen. Why are we accepting this? I think it's illegal and this type of behavior should be impeachable. There's no way I believe the NSA is gathering all this information just so they can destroy it later. People are looking at it and doing things with it and it doesn't make me FEEL safe or secure. When the government starts using massive video survelliance to fight terror are we going to say that that's ok as long as they promise not to look at the footage taken in the bathroom?