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Intel Adviser Breaks with Obama over FISA, Telecoms
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ShareMarch 07, 2008 12:22 PM
In a new interview with National Journal magazine, an intelligence adviser to Barack Obama's presidential campaign broke with his candidate’s position opposing retroactive legal protection for telecommunications companies being sued for cooperating with a dubious U.S. government domestic surveillance program.
"I do believe strongly that [telecoms] should be granted that immunity," former CIA official John Brennan told National Journal reporter Shane Harris in the interview. "They were told to [cooperate] by the appropriate authorities that were operating in a legal context."
"I know people are concerned about that, but I do believe that's the right thing to do," added Brennan, who is an intelligence and foreign policy adviser to Obama.
That wasn't just a personal opinion, Brennan made clear to Harris. "My advice, to whoever is coming in [to the White House], is they need to spend some time learning, understanding what's out there, identifying those key issues," including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, he said -- the law at the heart of the immunity debate.
"They need to make sure they do their homework, and it's not just going to be knee-jerk responses," Brennan said of the presidential hopefuls.
Last month, Obama voted to strip language in an intelligence bill that would have granted to Verizon, AT&T and other companies the immunity Brennan favored. The firms have been identified in lawsuits as having cooperated with a National Security Agency program to intercept phone calls and other communications data within the United States.
What does Obama think? "Sen. Obama welcomes a variety of views, but his position on FISA is clear. He and Brennan differ," said campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor.
Before leaving government to join the private sector, Brennan was the head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), a joint office operated by the CIA, FBI and other government agencies.
March 7, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (31)
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Gotta love this...
"Mr. Brennan heads The Analysis Company (TAC). It's not in TAC's interest to oppose the administration's views."
Wait! I thought only John McCain & HRC relied on people who have something to gain?
The delusion, naivate and stupidity of these folks is breathtaking.
A modest proposal: No vote unless you 1. Pay more taxes than receive in welfare, and 2. could outwit a hamster in a fair fight.
Posted by: Mark | Mar 8, 2008 2:21:11 PM
I bet those of you here who oppose the government gathering intelligence on our enemies will be the first ones in here blaming Mr. Bush if we suffer another attack.
Posted by: Dave | Mar 8, 2008 4:27:52 PM
Great point Terrye,
Every Federal court has found the NSA
surveillance program legal.The Democrats were briefed on this program just like
the interrogation programs.But as soon
as it came to life,they had to run around with the "Bush lied","Bush tricked us" routine just like when they voted for the Iraq War.
The main crime associated with the NSA
wiretapping program is that it was revealed on the Front pages of the NYtimes and told our real enemies,the terrorist, how we were tracking them and
enabled them to change tactics.
The head of the CIA,our Attorney General and many other security analyst
have told us how important this program
is in tracking terrorist and stopping attacks. The democrats need to quit playing games with our National Security
and find other ways to fight their pathetic war on Bush.
Posted by: Baxter | Mar 8, 2008 5:24:38 PM
This is nuts.
The telecoms acted in good faith after 911. The Democrats are playing politics here. $100 says that NOTHING will change in so far as wiretapping in concerned if a Democrat takes the WH. Obama and Clinton will not want another 911 on their watch.
Posted by: TWJ | Mar 8, 2008 11:20:48 PM
THANKS TO THOSE REPORT FROM THE LIBERAL IN CHARGES...THIS PROCESS OF GATHERING INTEL HAS CREATED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND HAS SET THE INTEL COMMUNITY BEHIND ON THE TERRORIST...IT'S THE SAME OLD BLAME GAME...PRIOR TO 9/11, IF BUSH OR EVEN CLINTON ACTED ON DETENTION OF ARABS COMING IN THE U.S. SOIL THE SAME LIBERALS WILL CRYING FOUL PLAY AND NOW IT HAPPENS THEY STILL FOUL PLAY...IT GOES THE SAME HERE IF BUSH CONTINUES TO AUTHORIZE THE TELECOM TO MONITER FOREIGN CALLS OR STOPS IT AND THAN SOMETHING HAPPENS LIKE BIGGER THAN 9/11....WHO GET BLAME FOR IT...YEAH BUSH....YOU PEOPLE ARE WORST THAN THOSE TERRORIST....
Posted by: MARINE4EVER | Mar 10, 2008 4:01:26 PM
Looks like most of this is speculation (as usual).
If they want it, it will become law. There will be nothing you can do about it. Period.
Ask yourself the question:
Do want to have the NSA, FBI or any other federal agency wire-tapping you?
For any reason?
Be truthful, don't spout, on't elaborate, just answer the question simply.
Posted by: Ask yourself the question | Mar 10, 2008 4:04:52 PM
Obama can do anything and Americans will still be taken by his hope and change themes. Sadly, all Americans may have to pay the price of ignorance of the majority. Sen. Barack Obama is not only inexperience but he lacks KNOWLEDGE in so many areas that one has to wonder why Americans can not pick a better candidate.
Posted by: Rene, Lt Col, USAF Retired | Mar 11, 2008 7:20:52 AM
What a remarkable instant - a politician who does not get flustered when his opinions are not treated as if spoken from God.
I can understand relieving telecoms from liablities in the past--but not from this point forward.
The FISA act allows up to 72 hours before a warrant needs to be obtained. If the government can't come up with a resonable explanation for the issuing of the warrant before that date--maybe the government wants to fish first and then looks for the warrent.
A lot of fish--very few true catches--the government probably knows more about me than I do.
Let's keep things on the up and up. Just my thoughts--break the law, pay the price.
Posted by: Dorry Catherine Pease | Mar 11, 2008 3:32:03 PM
Check out Obama's voting record in US Senate, it's an eye opener.
Posted by: pleaseanswer | Mar 12, 2008 10:42:17 AM
Those in the Democratic Party so eager to deny Hillary the Presidency, hurriedly skipped over rational logic and backed a hyped up unvetted cute guy with a gift of gab!
They wanted 'change!' Well, they got 'change.! That decision has successfully divided the party like never before!
An FDR Democrat....
Posted by: T Barr | Mar 23, 2008 12:08:19 PM
Will Obama ensure the DOJ prosecutes the phone companies that illegally spied on us?
If he won't pursue it, he's useless.
Posted by: amberglow | Mar 23, 2008 4:34:29 PM
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