GOP vs. CIA

If there's one good result of the current Putin-Trump tempest, it's that the spooks are falling out of favor with the Republicans. On the other hand, the GOP winging it in global affairs according to their own whims isn't a comforting thought.

Don't look for [Obama's Russian hacking intel] report to settle anything. After years of what some Republicans view as administration obfuscation, manipulation and slow-walking on intelligence ranging from Benghazi to U.S. Central Command assessments of the Islamic State to the papers of Osama bin Laden, distrust of the Intelligence Community is so high in some GOP quarters on Capitol Hill that unless the IC delivers a document of uncharacteristic openness and transparency, the debate over Russia's activities and intentions will continue well into the presidency of Donald Trump.

[...]

Nunes demanded the DNI brief the Intel Committee on the Russia situation no later than Dec. 16.

It didn't happen. First, DNI flatly refused Nunes' request. And then, included in an announcement that it would not brief the Electoral College, the DNI also announced it would offer no more briefings to lawmakers until after the Obama-ordered report is finished next year.

  Washington Examiner

Aside from the fact that the spooks were looking for a Hillary coronation, the fact that the Donald doesn't deem it necessary to attend intelligence briefings must be sticking in their collective craw.

After the first refusal, Nunes noted the DNI is "obligated to comply" with the House's "constitutionally vested" oversight activities. The committee is "deeply concerned" by the DNI's "intransigence," Nunes said in a statement.

The Constitution doesn't seem to mean much anymore. And Congress has been as blame-worthy in that as anyone.

Republicans involved in intelligence issues, like Democrats involved in intelligence issues, know that Russians (along with the Chinese) try every single day to hack into various institutions of American business and governance. They've succeeded many times, leading to some serious breaches. It's an unending phenomenon.

And yet, they haven't deemed it necessary to tell the public until now. But, as we've seen, it doesn't seem to bother the public. Or at least the polling public.

[S]ome Hill Republicans believe the Obama administration has concealed and/or manipulated intelligence at key times in the last few years.

Wow. I guess George Bush never did that.

The bottom line is many Republicans who follow intelligence issues closely are convinced the White House is going to drop an intensely political document in January, the intended effect of which will be to delegitimize the election of Trump.

Oh, I hope so. Just because the intrigue of the whole thing is starting to wane, and we need our high. But I certainly don't want it to put Hillary in the White House. What on earth would we do if something to delegitimize the election came up? New elections? Would they allow Pence to take over? Would they declare a state of emergency and keep Obama in the White House? This is unchartered territory.

That's what Republicans are trying to head off with their demands for briefings and to see more intelligence. So far, they're making no progress.

[...]

A major Republican fear is that the administration will release a headline-grabbing, blockbuster report alleging some sort of pro-Trump/Putin plot, but will not release all the underlying intelligence that would allow Congress to evaluate the administration's conclusions.

Well, they couldn't, because they wouldn't have any.

Actually, I don't believe they would do anything to delegitimize the election. The destabilizing effect on the entire world would be contrary to corporate interests. And besides, if the CNN poll is an indication, we just don't fucking care.

Finally, there's one huge factor that will come into play next month. After Trump takes office, the Intelligence Community will be under new leadership. CIA Director John Brennan will be out, to be replaced by Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo, a veteran of the House Intelligence Committee who took part in the various battles with the administration over intelligence in the past few years. Yes, of course, the entrenched bureaucracies in the Intelligence Community will stay in place. But new leaders can make a real difference. And after Jan. 20, the fight over Russian interference might take on a new character.

Not might. It will go down the drain. So if the Democrats are going to do anything about it, they have to do it before January 20.

Aw, precious, it's only words.  Your supporters actually punch people.