| Alpha | | Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 6:04 am Post subject: Spy-scandal lobby blitz - The Hill |
| Jeffrey Blankfort <jblankfort@earthlink.net> wrote:
If one was not familiar with the workings of Washington, one would think
these duly elected representatives who have sworn an oath to uphold the
US Constitution might remember the case of Jonathan Pollard and think
twice before attesting to the innocence of AIPAC, but that apparently
means no more to them then the other times when White House habitués and
appointees, such as Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Ledeen and
Stephen Bryen were caught passing secrets to Israel but weren't charged.
The Congressional reaction certainly validates Will Rogers' comment
early in the last century that "America has the best Congress money can
buy" and it is evident who bought the current lot.
http://www.thehill.com/news/090804/spy.aspx
Spy-scandal lobby blitz - The Hill
AIPAC secures wide backing after secrets charges
By 0000,0000,FFFFHans Nichols
Lobbyists for an influential pro-Israel group launched into
congressional overdrive when trails of a Pentagon spy scandal led to
their Washington office.
Soon after media outlets reported on the scandal late last month,
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) lobbyists and their
political liaisons across the country asked Democratic and Republican
lawmakers to issue public statements in support of America’s premier
pro-Israel group.
Verdana6666,6666,6666
File photo Georgia
The House will start its probe “with a record of confidence” in AIPAC,
said Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).Georgia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
That intense and frantic lobbying effort, which began on the eve of
the GOP convention and continued unabated in New York, led dozens of
lawmakers of both parties to testify to AIPAC’s integrity before they
had been briefed by the FBI investigators on the details of the case.
Some lawmakers, however, stressed that they rose to AIPAC’s defense
without any prompting from the group.
The FBI is reportedly investigating whether Pentagon analyst Larry
Franklin passed sensitive intelligence to Israel and the role of two
AIPAC employees in the matter.
AIPAC had deployed bipartisan statements in a successful campaign to
quell the potentially disastrous flow of negative articles in the
first cycle of an espionage scandal that FBI investigators say is
expanding.
That bipartisan support has also immunized AIPAC from political
attacks that question the pro-Israel group’s patriotism and has
shielded it from the crossfire of a
presidential campaign.
“As much as we’ve reached out to members of Congress, they are
reaching out to us,” said Josh Block, a spokesman for AIPAC.
“Clearly, expressions of support from leaders of both parties in both
chambers are extremely important and reflect the deep and abiding
relationship between the U.S. and Israel, and the strong relationship
between AIPAC and members of Congress,” Block said.
Dozens of key lawmakers from both parties have been briefed by AIPAC
Executive Director Howard Kohr, say numerous congressional aides. In
addition, prominent Jewish community leaders across the country — many
of whom are serious donors — have been phoning their friends on
Capitol Hill, denouncing the allegation that a Pentagon mole slipped
classified documents to AIPAC as the scurrilous work of an FBI zealot.
The briefings from the Washington office have been limited to a
detailed rebuttal of AIPAC’s alleged role in receiving classified
material from Franklin, followed by a pitch for statements of support,
say aides.
AIPAC’s Washington briefers have shied away from addressing the
broader charges against Franklin, or any other possible allegation
about the Pentagon leaking drafts of its Iran policy.
But Kohr has made himself very clear that a public statement about
AIPAC’s integrity would be appreciated, while a more forceful, if less
tactful, play for congressional support has come in phone calls from
Jewish political leaders across the country, say congressional aides
for members contacted by AIPAC.
In many cases, AIPAC lobbyists have been very specific about how they
wanted the lawmakers’ statements to be phrased. But in other
instances, requests have been made in general terms, asking only for a
public _expression of support.
AIPAC, which does not give political donations but spends roughly $1
million a year on lobbying, has received supportive statements from
nearly every key congressional leader.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), said, “I know AIPAC. I
know the AIPAC leadership. It is an outstanding organization.”
Those comments were similar to Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-Pa.) words: “I
know AIPAC. I know its integrity. It’s a smear.”
Democrats were no less effusive in their backing of the embattled
group. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said, “For more
than five decades, America as a country and Americans as individuals
have stood by Israel. AIPAC and its members have tirelessly led that
effort, and America is better and stronger for it. It is vital work —
work I know AIPAC will continue to lead effectively.”
Over on the House side, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.)
offered a general statement of support. “AIPAC has played a pivotal
role in ensuring the strength of the special relationship between the
United States and Israel,” she said. “AIPAC is a dedicated advocate
for Israel, educating our nation’s leaders about opportunities to
assist our democratic ally in the Middle East. I am proud to have
worked closely with AIPAC and its leaders to support Israel as it
works to defeat terrorism and strives toward a just and lasting peace.”
Most of lawmakers’ statements avoided the specific charges. Rather,
they framed their support for AIPAC in general terms.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) was one of the few Republican
lawmakers to mention the charges. “While the House will want to look
carefully at any allegations that might endanger our national
security, it will begin that look with a record of great confidence in
our relationship with AIPAC and our strongest ally and the only
democracy in the Middle East, Israel,” Blunt said.
But Rep. John Conyers (Mich.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary
Committee, gave an indication of how the FBI probe might be
politicized on Capitol Hill. In a letter to Rep. James Sensenbrenner
(R-Wis.), chairman of the committee, Conyers asked for a formal
congressional investigation.
“It now appears that these allegations may be only the tip of the
iceberg of a broader effort of the Pentagon employees working in the
office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Douglas Feith, to
conduct unauthorized covert activities, without the knowledge of the
Central Intelligence Agency,” Conyers wrote.
Republicans, however, cautioned that Democrats would suffer political
consequences if they sought to demonize or slur AIPAC, especially in
conjunction with the Iraq war.
September 8, 2004
http://www.thehill.com/news/090804/spy.aspx
Spy-scandal lobby blitz - The Hill
AIPAC secures wide backing after secrets charges
By Hans Nichols
Lobbyists for an influential pro-Israel group launched into congressional overdrive when trails of a Pentagon spy scandal led to their Washington office.
Soon after media outlets reported on the scandal late last month, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) lobbyists and their political liaisons across the country asked Democratic and Republican lawmakers to issue public statements in support of America’s premier pro-Israel group.
File photo
The House will start its probe “with a record of confidence” in AIPAC, said Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).
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That intense and frantic lobbying | |
