McCain Calls for WMD Intelligence Error Probe

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=716&e=3&u=/ap/20040130/ap_on_re_us/iraq_weapons_investigation

WASHINGTON - Parting company with many of his fellow Republicans, Sen. John McCain said Thursday he wants an independent commission to take a sweeping look at recent intelligence failures.

The White House has dismissed the proposal, saying the CIA (news - web sites) is committed to reviewing the intelligence behind claims that Iraq (news - web sites) had weapons of mass destruction. The Bush administration also argues that the weapons search is not yet complete.


Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has expressed frustration with those who suggest an outside investigation is needed before his committee has a chance to complete an inquiry now underway. Senate Armed Service Chairman John Warner, R-Va., supports letting the committee finish its work.


In an interview with The Associated Press, McCain said he believes the public needs an assessment that won't be clouded by partisan division. The Arizona senator said he is seeking a full-scale look not only at apparently botched intelligence on Iraq's weapons capabilities, but also flawed estimations of Iraq, North Korea (news - web sites) and Libya and the faulty assessments from other Western intelligence services.

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[coloradodem2005]

1. I hope I don't get flamed for this but...

...I have generally admired John McCain. I don't always agree with him, but he seems to care a lot more about fairness than most republicans. I just wish he would stop stumping for the chimp and go independent like Jim Jeffords.

[Lorien]

2. I won't flame you

and I suspect most DUers agree with you. McCain is a fairly honest pollution and says true to most of his beliefs, even if they aren't beliefs that all of us can agree with. The sad part is that when it comes to party loyalty, McCain is a good soldier (often to his and our detriment).

[leesa]

5. Disagree. That's just the role he plays. He's a "moderator" to make

them appear sane. He's fully involved with what they are doing. Every once in a while they push him out there to say stuff like this. Last thing he wants is an independent investigation. He's just like Colon.

[KoKo]

6. I'm with you on this Leesa. He's appeared to go against Bush at other

times, but then turned right back on what he did and used it against he Democrats. I thought at one time that McCain was honorable. It was at the Mid-term elections that his "true colors" came out.

I think he's doing it to take the heat of some of the Repugs who are getting upset with Bush. He knows there will never be an invesigation with a Repug House and Senate.

I hope I'm wrong in this case. I would love for him to run against Bush.

[doc03]

10. I can't figure out what McCain believes

Bush trashed him in the 2000 primaries, calling him a traitor and made out he was a little nutty. Now McCain goes up to New Hampshire to campaign for Bush, I am starting to believe he is a little nutty.
I actually believed in him at one time, I switched parties to vote for McCain in the 2000 primaries. Now you never know which side he is on or how he will come down on any issue.

[lumpy]

15. I agree with your assessment, leesa

How many times has McCain made statements that appear to seem moderate and prove to be frivolous. His call to include investigation of all intelligence relating to Bush's list of enemies is unrealistic. This guy must have learned well how to be wily while in captivity.

[Just Me]

11. What respect he lost yesterday he has regained from me today.

I have generally viewed McCain as an honorable man notwithstanding our differences of opinions (which are primarily philosophical in nature). Yesterday, I was seriously p-offed at his excuses for the administration's fraud. But, today, I am a bit more hopeful that McCain will ultimately sign onto "truth". One can only hope these days.

[grasswire]

3. maybe....

...this signals a primary challenge.

That's what I'm rooting for. A primary challenge to W.

[wroberts189]

4. Perhaps McCain has a shred of integrity

But the rest of his party is doing their best to cover for GW.

[dusty64]

7. OK a shred,

I'll give him that much. When the chips are down, he is still a rethug though.

[0007]

8. Who indeed expects this investigation to go any different

than the 911 Investigation, after all they're cousins?

It was a little too obvious with the appointment of Kissinger for the 911 thingy. Mr. Kean will do a good job for junior. McCain is doing a good job also. So shut the fuck up and go back to ....!

[NoKingGeorge]

9. Intelligence Agencies = straw men

Unless someone calls for an investigation of OSP and the Administration then its BS. Rogerts comittee IS limiting their looksee to the Agencys. Rockfeller has suggested they go up the path to the WH but Roberts feels his comitte is limited to Agencys.Now McCain is reinforcing the notion of it being the CIAs' fault. The CIA was bypassed and a group called Office of Special Plans was created for the neo-cons to cherry pick data from.

[ignatius]

12. I agree, the errors weren't from the CIA, teh errors

were made by those interpreting the CIA's findings who were going to have their war no matter what.

[bluedog]

13. Iraq papers to UN

this could lead an investigation in the right direction...what was in those papers and what did the administration destroy????There were missing pages....what did they prove?????this needs to be put on the front burner NOW!!

[young_at_heart]

14. How about the other Republican senators?

Wouldn't it be nice if other Republicans cared about this monumental event and wanted to find out as much as possible?