House Democratic Whip Hoyer on Gannon/Plame Connection

[BigBearJohn]

WASHINGTON DC - House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer released the following statement regarding revelations that a man who went by the name of "Jeff Gannon," and who was given White House media credentials despite his lack of qualifications, was given access to classified documents which disclosed the identity of Undercover CIA Operative Valerie Plame:

"Valid questions are being raised regarding the Bush White House's relationship with James Guckert, also known as "Jeff Gannon," and his access to documents that revealed the identity of Undercover CIA Operative Valerie Plame.

"This issue is important from an ethical as well as from a national security standpoint. It is hard to understand why a man with little real journalism experience was given a White House press corps credential let alone access to sensitive security documents. In fact, it only raises questions as to the nature of the relationship between "Jeff Gannon" and the White House, and whether there was an alliance of interests that did not conform to ethical and security standards. President Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush, called the disclosure of an undercover operative's identity treason.

"This most recent revelation is only the latest in the growing list of ways that Republicans in Washington are attempting to manipulate the American people through the media and avoid accountability. When the Bush Administration had trouble selling its domestic policies, it unethically paid journalists to promote its policies under the guise of journalism. When the Ethics Committee held Majority Leader Tom DeLay accountable for improper actions last year, the Republican leadership simply removed Chairman Joel Hefley (R-CO) and other Republicans from the Committee.

For more, see: http://www.dailykos.com

[H2O Man]

1. Interesting article.

Thank you for posting it!

[cthrumatrix]

20. let's support him and other who are willing to question

[BigBearJohn]

2. Nice to see we have a representative looking into this.

We need to jump on board and write the rest our reps
demanding an investigation!!!

[meganmonkey]

3. This is what this story should be about

I am really glad to hear this is happening. The fact that he is a gay prostitute may be more scandalous and entertaining, but THIS is what needs to be investigated.

:bounce:

[Virginian]

38. So much for the Librul Press.

Has anyone seen this anywhere in MSM since Feb 10? The pix didn't come out until yesterday. It seems like the media should have an update on the story that "Gannon" lied about his websites never being hosted. (Cover up)

The crime is in non-credentialed access, The spice of his other life should make it a long lasting MSM story. Face it, Sex Sells. The victim will be "Gannon" when he gets pinned with the Plame outing instead of say, Rove. "Gannon" may think he pulled one over on them, but he will be the one to pay; no one out manipulates the master manipulater, Rove.

[Daphne08]

4. How did an unqualified 'reporter' gain access to

that information? That is much more important (than his sexual preference, or anyone else's for that matter) in my mind.

[NewJeffCT]

7. very simple and welcome to DU

it's very simple - Gannon was a GOP operative. Whether he got that way through sexual favors or just that he was connected to Eberle or somebody else remains to be seen.

[AuntiBush]

16. Exactly!

[Spazito]

5. That's great, thanks for posting!

I liked the final sentence in this the best:

"I encourage the Special Counsel looking into the Plame matter to include "Jeff Gannon's" ties to the issue in his investigation."

What is needed is for this to go beyond the blogs and even beyond the mainstream media, if they pick it up, and into an investigation such as the Plame case.

[BigBearJohn]

6. WE MUST EMAIL AND WRITE TO OUR SENATORS!!!

[Liberty Belle]

37. Send your senators this story (links to X-rated Gannon pics)

Point out that it's now apparent Gannon is a prostitute. Did he have clients in the White House? If so, could he be blackmailing any of them? This is a serious national security issue (as well as a real hoot).

Demand an investigation. If they can bear to look at all those photos of tortured naked Iraqis stacked in pyramids, they can certainly examine the evidence of Gannon's, er, exposure.

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/02/man-called-jeff.html

[natrat]

8. what a bunch of shit

this is how they will get novak or whoever off the hook ; blame it on the gay hooker----those gays----who is this hoyer and how much was he paid

or conversely its a friggin gold mine

[rodriguez94]

22. hell, don't write off Novak just yet....

he may be tangled in the sexual weave of Washington's upper elite gay community..lolol

:kick:

[hector459]

9. Here's a question: Did "Gannon" use his "escort service" info (blackmail

to get access to the Plame documents and maybe even other security or classified information?

[merh]

11. What a great question!

That would make sense wouldn't it? He has compromising photos of himself and Scottie or Rovey or whoever, that could get him a whole lot of access or is it assets?

[me b zola]

33. Let's begin withan investigation into leaking of Plame

Let that be the Pandora's box.

[Nothing Without Hope]

10. This is excellent. He hits the IMPORTANT points

He doesn't specifically mention "Gannon" being a prostitute. The prostitution was illegal, but its chief danger is its potential use for blackmail, very dangerous to people high in a government. This is especially true for homosexual prostitution, which carries much more stigma.

The prostitution angle may be important if there was blackmail, but the top questions now should be

WHO arranged for security check to be waived?
WHO showed him Plame info?
WHO fed him planted questions and guaranteed him preference over real journalists?
WHO saw to it that he got press credentials even with his faked "journalism" ID?
WHAT was his role in Rathergate?

There are a hell of a lot of questions about "Gannongate" that need to be aggressively investigated. I predict that the administration will have Scottie the Press Secretary resign as the fall guy and then try to derail any further investigation. We cannot let the investigation be suppressed or turned into some kind of limited gay-bashing scandal.

Nominated for Greatest Threads.

[Disturbed]

13. The Cover Up

It has begun. Will the Bush Junta be able to bury this scandal?

[AuntiBush]

17. Does this not open up another NEW CAN OF WORMS

If you think about it. Doesn't this create a problem with their most avid supporters, the "faith-based" fundamentalist?

Just a thought, speaking of morals and values!?!

:kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

31. Oh yes. In 1989 a prostitution ring in the Bush I White House

was discovered to involve very high-ranking officials, but the investigation was apparently stifled at an early stage. If it had been pursued aggressively, who knows what would have been discovered? The fundies weren't as strong then, but surely there would have been SOME impact on the moralistic pretensions of the Bush I administration?
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2003/02/1570946.php

Gannongate would not have been broken as a story without the internet activists, which makes this situation much more difficult for the Rethug goons to control than the 1989 one. I believe that the deliberate silence on most of the networks and Wolfie Blitzer's attempts at stifling the story with his Kurtz and "Gannon" interviews aren't going to be successful ultimately. This is going to be another test case of how the internet community can end-run the corporate media to get the truth out.

[lastknowngood]

12. That's my man! I hope he keeps up the pressure

n/t

[NewJeffCT]

14. good job Rep. Hoyer

Now, if we can just get 100+ more reps to send similar letters.

[blm]

15. Can they hold Dem hearings as they did today on missing Iraq money?

/

[rodeodance]

18. good for Hoyer

[rodriguez94]

25. didn't see it today, but it is my understanding that Dems can

hold as many meetings or hearings as they want about whatever they want...

the problem is they have not power, so it usually goes nowhere

[troubleinwinter]

19. Yes!!! WHY was a "journalist" lacking qualifications given

"access to sensitive security documents... that revealed the identity of Undercover CIA Operative Valerie Plame"??

and

"...the nature of the relationship between "Jeff Gannon" and the White House, and whether there was an alliance of interests that did not conform to ethical and security standards."

[EFerrari]

21. Maybe splitting hairs, but I think this whole push would do better

if it were termed "radical elements in the Republican party".

First, it's mostly true.

Second, it gives every day folk a way to position themselves.

Last, the damage will register with the same weight.

[spanone]

23. The president is a radical element of the republican party!

[EFerrari]

26. Do you remember real Republicans? They didn't look like this!

[Warren Stupidity]

27. Gay Sex For Hire Scandal Rocks Bush Administration!

I think that is the spin that captures headlines and attention.

[EFerrari]

28. You'd think. And would wish FOR HIRE registered just a tad.

[Warren Stupidity]

30. partly because we refuse to go for the jugular

Gay Sex For Hire Scandal Rocks Bush Administration!

The rest is mere details around the hypocritical sleaze that permeates washington.

[mcscajun]

24. But Will this break in a Corporate Media Source?

Nothing's been in the 'news' outside of the blogsphere since 2/10 on this.

What does it take for a press release by the House Dem Whip to get some lines?

[Disturbed]

29. Corp Media does not want to touch this.

It may taint them. The Corp. Media is being shown for what it is more and more. A propoganda tool for the Fascist Bush Junta. This situation just highlights more of their complicity.

[Warren Stupidity]

32. you have to frame it in a way that they cannot ignore

For example: Gay Sex For Hire Scandal Rocks Bush Administration!

Think National Enquirer, Daily News, NY Post, Think Faux News.

Forget the details. Hit 'em in the balls, then kick 'em in the head when they bend over in pain. It is much easier that way.

[roseBudd]

39. Send it to Drudge and keep sending it until he covers it

[kohodog]

36. Corporate Media has just acknowledged the blogs

And are desperately trying to discredit them. That means they will probably not dig into the Gannon/Whitehouse scandal until the concrete proof comes. But the blogs have put MSM on notice, and MSM is weakly trying to respond. They have left their investigatiive roots for sensationalism, and the backlash is on it's way.

I for one am beginning to wonder when web access will be stifled by the Corporate ISP's. That may be the only way they can close the barn door, and it may be too late for them to do that.

[American Tragedy]

34. WHEN did he have access to the documents?

That is crucial. If he saw them before Novak's article, that is truly astounding - no reporter, regardless of qualifications, should have been permitted to see that. And why him?

Perhaps even more importantly, I note the use of the passive voice in the article: "was given access". Who gave access?

This raises a hell of a lot of questions. Can anyone help me out?

[natrat]

35. preety unreal this hasn't made the NY times/Wapost

preety serious shit////if anything it just reenforces how totally corupt even the top "brand" media has become. They should be ashamed

[gardenista]

40. Go Steny! Tell it like it is, Steny!

My former Congressman makes me proud!