Roberts off Intell?

    Well-informed scuttlebutt on Capitol Hill has it that Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts may be looking for an exit from the Senate Intelligence Committee, which he has chaired since 2002 and which Democrat West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller will chair in the 110th Congress.

    Those in the know say this editorial from the Lawrence Journal-World is worth a close read on Roberts' intentions, especially the "he has told some" sentence.

   With the soon-to-be-minority Senate GOP determining committee assignments for the next Congress right now, things could shake out as early as next week.

   Roberts has drawn partisan barbs for years for his stewardship of the committee. Critics say he did all he could to protect the Bush Administration from oversight; Rockefeller once memorably accused him of taking "all his talking points from the White House."

   But Roberts points to his committee's investigations - some completed, some ongoing - of the uses of pre-war intelligence as evidence of his commitment to effective oversight.

   The Roberts move also means Missouri Sen. Kit Bond could become the committee's top Republican, depending on where and how various chips fall.

Stay tuned...

Posted by Matt Stearns

Comments

[LarrytheScrabbleGuy]

Wow, Bill Frist and Pat Roberts gone in one day? Here's hoping Kit Bond and Roy Blunt are next.

[hploughjogger]

The sooner Roberts is gone the better. He has stalled investigations, and been little more than Bush's enabler. Perhaps now we'll have an answer into the ginned up intelligence that got us into Iraq. I'm going to miss him as much as I miss Conrad Burns.

[UncleJoe]

Sentor Roberts has been so sanctimonious about his work on this committee that one might expect him to continue. But if there's no political value for him in his lapdog role, suddenly he may decide to take a powder. He has hurt the Congress with his pathetic stewardship and now he abandons ship. Ah, such a statesman.

[elnath]

Pat Roberts, protector of simian imbecility. That is what you will be remembered for. And then you will be quickly forgotten after that.

[klevenstein]

I'm guessing you were referring to DemocratIC West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller...

[ConcernedAmerican]

I sent Mr. Robert's my concerns about his stewardship of the senate intelligence committe and was promply sent RNC talking points and some bullets points about what a swell guy he was. I still stand by my original hypothesis, career politicians like Robert's are destroying this country in front of our faces and they really don't give a damn. It's not just the public sector, the nepotism, cronyism, and corruption that gets these guys into positions of power is having the same destructive effects in the private sector. The sad thing is, if they were really willing to play by the rules and have a true free market economy, they (elites) would still make a killing.

[Douglas Caddy]

Pat Roberts appeared always to put partisan politics ahead of what was best for the country. There is no way of accounting for the damage that he did to our national security during his term as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

[just john]

Could this be because Roberts treated the minority members of the committee so shabbily that he can't look them in the face, once they have power?

[im1dc]

This is GREAT news for America!

[Lyleblog]

Intelligence and Pat Roberts were Never Compatible

Pat Roberts looked out for Boeing (Witchita) and not the citizens. This is a psuedo-politician looking to do a CYA for himself. When the issues he buried are re-opened and investigated, it will show he was the best friend the Saudi's owned on the Intelligence committe.

[D Zero]

The only problem with this is that Rockefeller took so much of it without saying a word. Who can forget their numerous joint appearances on the Sunday morning circuit where Rockefeller did little more than nod while Roberts fed everyone a steady diet of talking points? I hope Rockefeller is serious about robust oversight and further more, I hope he capable of delivering it. At this point, the jury is out.

[stephen collins]

SENATOR ROBERTS & THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN CAUCAS WILLFULLY CHOSE TO DENY A INVESTIGATION ON THIS ADMINISTRATIONS' DECISION TO DENY PAYING ME REWARDS FROM THE REWARDS FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM AFTER I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING SOME MOST WANTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED IN 2004...

IF YOU RECALL THE 5/26/04 PRESS CONFERENCE OF THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT & FBI DIRECTOR MUELLER RELEASING 7 PHOTOS TO THE PUBLIC & BEGGING ALL AMERICANS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THEM...

ON 5/29/04 IN PSL,FLA. AFTER 300+ MILES DRIVEN & 9 HOURS LATER ON MY WAY HOME I FEEL A CAR TAILGATING ME UPON LOOKING IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR TO SEE WHO IT WAS I WAS AMAZED TO SEE I WAS LOOKING AT 2 OF THE 7 WHO PHOTOS WERE JUST RELEASED - I HAD THEIR PHOTOS IN THE CAR WITH ME...

AFTER MAKING THEM PASS ME I ACQUIRE ALL OF THE VEHICLES' INFORMATION & CALL 911 AT 5:42 PM ON 5/29/04...THE CALL LASTED CLOSE TO 20 MINUTES AS I FOLLOW THEM UNTIL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN PULL THEM OVER...

A U.S.C.G. FRIEND CALLS ME BACK CONFIRMS TO ME I DID INDEED GET THEM & THAT THE FEDS WERE GOING TO COVER IT UP SO AS NOT TO PAY THE REWARD OF 25 MILLION FAZUL ABDULLAH MOHAMMED
HAD ON HIM AT THE TIME FROM THE 1998 EMBASSEY BOMBINGS...

THE NEXT 12 DAY I SPOT 4 OF THE REMAINING 5 CALL MIAMI-FBI WITH THIS INFORMATION & NEXT THING I LEARN IS ANOTHER 25 MILLION DOLLAR MAN IS CAPTURED YET SAID TO BE IN PAKISTAN..
I BELIEVE HE WAS FLOWN THERE & PAKISTAN WAS TOLD TO SAY YOU FOUND HIM HERE...TO GET OUT OF PAYING HIS REWARD...

GEORGE TENET WAS THE FALL GUY FOR ALL OF THIS...

I CONTACTED SPECIFIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ABOUT ALL OF THIS IN 6/2004 - THEN A SENATE INTEL. HEARING WAS HELD GRILLING GOSS-MUELLER & GONZALES - MY IDENTITY WAS INDIRECTLY MADE KNOWN TO THEM UPON THIS GRILLING & MY LIFE WAS DESTROYED EVER SINCE THROUGH VARIOUS WAYS...

NOW ALL 100 SENATORS & HALF OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF THIS FROM A E.F.F. EMAIL SENT TO THEM ALL ABOUT ALONG WITH RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE PATRIOT ACT...

THESE MATTERS ARE SO IN-DEPTH & COMPLEX I COULD WRITE FOREVER ABOUT ALOT OF DIFFERENT TOPICS THAT HAS ARISEN FROM ALL OF THIS...

NEEDLESS TO SAY THE GOVT. BEGS ALL AMERICANS TO BE VIGILANT
I SPRING INTO ACTION WITH POSITIVE RESULTS PROTECTING MY NATION IN TIMES OF TROUBLE - STOP A IMMINENT ATTACK I THINK
NOONE KNEW WAS COMING UNLESS THERE WAS COMPLICITY GET SOME
MOST WANTED TERROISTS CAPTURED & TREASON IS PERPRATRATED UPON ME FOR STOPPING A ATTACK & GETTING SERIAL KILLERS CAPTURED...

F.A.M. HAD A LAPTOP WHICH LED TO EVEN MORE MOST WANTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED GLOBALLY IN THE FALL OF 2004...THEN UP TO 25-28 PEOPLE HAD REWARDS OF 25 MILLION DOLLARS ON THEIR CAPTURES - THEN SUDDENLY THE LIST WAS DOWN TO 3 & NOW STANDS AT 2...I MUST MENTION AFTER 5/29/04 WITH F.A.M.+ AAFIA SIDDIQUI CAPTURED THE AMOUNT OF THE REWARDS STARTED TO CHANGE AT WILL NUMEROUSLY...

THE CIA SECRET PRISONER TRANPORTS STARTED AROUND THIS TIME..

ALSO MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WERE INDICTED IN FEDERAL COURTS FOR VARIOUS TERRORISTIC ACTS BOTH HERE & ABROAD FOR OPEN PUBLIC TRIALS...

NOW WITH THE MILITARY COMMISSIONS' ACT -TRIALS WILL BE HELD IN SECRET...IS IT POSSIBLE THE MILITARY COMMISSIONS'ACT WAS
CONCOCTED SO THAT THE TERRORISTS DO NOT HAVE THE CHANCE IN OPEN PUBLIC COURTS TO TELL THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS JUST WHAT
THE KNOW & WHO AT ALL MAY HAVE HELPED THEM ALONG THE WAY...

AHMED KHALFAN GHAILANI SEEN IN FLORIDA YET FOUND IN PAKISTAN
TELL ME HOW HE GOT BACK TO THAT NATION AFTER THERE WAS A GLOBAL A.P.B. ALL POINTS BULLITIN OUT ON HIM - I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING...

ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS ASK A.K.G. WHERE WAS HE CAPTURED - HE WILL NOT LIE ABOUT THIS - THERE IS NO REASON TO...

AS FOR F.A.M.+ A.S. I KNOW WHERE THEY WERE INITIALLY SENT WHERE ARE THEY NOW - WHO KNOWS - HOWEVER SOMEONE DOES...ARE
THEY SOMEWHERE NEVER TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY AGAIN OR HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT...OR WERE THEY FLOWN SOMEWHERE & RELEASED
SO THAT THE REWARDS FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY THEIR REWARDS...

NOW YOU CAN IMAGINE THE BULK OF INFORMATION & INTELLIGENCE THAT WAS SENT TO CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS - ONLY FOR NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN...

I BELIEVE MANY HI-LEVEL CABINET OFFICIALS RESIGNED OUT OF DISGUST OVER THIS ADMINISTRATIONS' DELIBERATE & WILLFUL ACT TO ATTEMPT TO COVER ALL OF THIS UP...POWELL ASHCROFT RIDGE & OTHERS NOT TO MENTION THEN U.S.MARSHAL DIRECTOR BENJAMIN RENYA WHO I HAD CONTACTED IN THE PAST FOR MY PROTECTION RIGHTS AFFORDED TO ONE FROM THE REWARDS FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM

IT EVEN GETS BETTER WHEN O.P.R. RUINED A INVESTIGATION BY STARTING AT THE BOTTOM WITH ME INSTEAD OF GOING RIGHT FOR THE WHITE HOUSE - BUSH DELIBERATELY DENIED OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILTY OFFICIALS SECURITY CLEARANCES BECAUSE THE "NSA" OVERHEARD MY 7/05 CALL TO O.P.R.

WHEW I AM NOT EVEN NEAR DONE YET - ENOUGH CORRUPTION YET...

NATIONAL SECURITY 4 US

[JimZ]

How any Kansas voter could return Pat Roberts back to the Senate after all his cover-up jobs for the administration would be beyond me. I know he wasn't up for re-election this year but we'll see how ignorant the Kansas voters are if they re-elect this guy again, when he is. What a crook. And a crook for a moron who is president. Doesn't sound like Pat has very good judgement; he has not enough intelligence to head an "intelligence" committee. Obviously, he doesn't care about America; only about the Republican party. Go ruin another committee, Pat. Go ruin American further, Pat. I am NOT a Democrat, either. Never have been.

[Kevin Judge]

The Roberts' "Hacktacular" joyride against truth and accountability has now mercifully come to an end. Too bad the bastard doesn't have the cajones to endure the payback that is long overdue.

Rot in hell, Pat Roberts.

[bastet]

Roberts has been too tight with Cheney for too long. Clean house, stick him on the committee that keeps track of how many pens the government uses in a year.

[Dana]

This is great news, but when are Lindsay Graham and Jeff Sessions, my bugaboos, going to be shown the door?

[d walker]

It's so good to see that you've got Roberts figured out. I'm from Kansas but have lived in NYC for many years....we all were beginning to think you didn't see through this crook. thanks!!!

[LetImpeachmentRing]

a) Yes, Mr. Stearns, it is DemocratIC Senator from West Virginia, not "Democrat" Senator... a tired right wing zinger courtesy of Frank Luntz; And b) perhaps the exposure of Pat Roberts as a shameless lapdog for this failed and criminal Presidency during the past crucial years of the Iraq fiasco will further induce "red staters" to stop voting against their own interests. I was heartened that several such dominoes tumbled in November: Talent, deWine, Burns & Allen, ... and starting in '08, we need a few more to answer for their conning of the red with anti-abortion, anti-evolution, and anti-gay, etc. smokescreens while they have screwed the country - and YOU. Your jobs have been shipped overseas along with your precious sons and daughters. Those nimrods in Oklahoma, Idaho and Wyoming have to go, along with religious zealot Brownback, and, speaking of Bonds, Bonds.

[bob]

Pat,
It's good to see you leave intel matters to smarter, more honest people than youself. You had your day in the sun, now go crawl back into your hole.

[Darren]

Roberts was the biggest partisan hack imaginable. He *STILL* hasn't released the part of the Senate Report on prewar intelligence that looked into how the Bush admin used the intelligence. I'm not surprised he might bail out, since he's about to become ridiculed beyond belief once Rockefeller takes over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Report_of_Pre-war_Intelligence_on_Iraq#.22Phase_two.22_of_the_investigation

[Shoreline_Dem]

Even though Hassert won, there has been lots of press that he will be leaving Congress. Pat Roberts might not go that far, but certainly his stewardship of the Senate Intell. Committee has been so partisan based - just like the rest of the 109th Congress - that any change has to be welcome. So many Executive branch abuses just waiting for SOME investigation to happen.

I know the Dems have not put on the table a possible impeachment of Schrub. I am all for not dragging the country through what the R's did to Clinton. However, should solid proof of "high crimes" show up during ANY real investigation, I think they should move forward with it - even withstanding the fact that the Devil himself - Dick C - would become the president. Hey, perhaps he will purger himself during the Scotter Libby trails - one can only hope.

In CT, the majority were dumb enough to send the neocon, R-lite, 2-faced liar Joe LIEberman (I-CT) back to the Senate. Joe changed his story on the disaster in Iraq and drew support from 30 of D's in CT, including the Speaker of the CT House. What a loser. I only hope the FEC finds that Holy Joe's $387K petty cash fund has broken some rules and he gets a hefty find (and more!).

Don't be surprised if Roberts seeks and wins another term. I don't know Kansas, but I hope they are wiser than the folks here in CT.

[JerryTheAngel]

Never got around to that "2nd Phase" of investigating the pre-war intelligence, eh Pat?
I seem to remember Pat "I have the flat affect of a sociopath" Roberts, promising on Meet The Press that the "2nd Phase" oversight was "on track".

Roberts is an accessory to war crimes. He deserves to rot in prison with all of the other warmongers who have committed treason to our country by covering up and lying about leading this country into the worse foreign policy blunder in our nation's history.

The voters of Kansas who elected Roberts to the Senate have blood on their hands. ANYONE who voted to give Bush the ChickenHawk a 2nd term despite the obvious failures in Iraq can also join this club of YOU HAVE THE BLOOD OF OUR BRAVE TROOPS ON YOUR HANDS TOO CLUB.

As long as they keep getting their tax breaks, can drive their SUV's, and basically sacrafice nothing during wartime, then the status quo is acceptable to these selfish and intellectually shallow voters.

[kcmedia]

This quote from the Lawrence World Journal is something out of Orwell.. "Washington media representatives have been high in their praise of Roberts for the manner in which he has handled the chairmanship and his effort to keep partisan politics to a minimum in the committee’s deliberations and investigations."

Who cares if 'Washington MEDIA" representatives have high praise for Roberts??? Non partisan? Are they kidding? Roberts carried the water for the White House even better than Limbaugh!Drug his feet on the 'run up to war' non-evidence for 3 years! Give me a break!
Then they say:
"Now, there are concerns that, with the change in the committee’s chairmanship, partisan politics may be far more pronounced,..." I'm not sure where these folks have been, but I can guarantee you the ONLY reason Roberts wants off is that he doesnt' want to take 2nd chair to Rockefeller - or any other Dem - because he's afraid they will do to him, what he did to them.

I am hoping that Dems will rise above politics and put policy first. Unlike what we've had for the last 6years!

[ho de do]

I'll ho de do...

...don let it hit ya on the be'hine mr. Roberts..

[slowbob]

As they say: Good riddance to bad rubbish !

[Adm. Happy Horatio Hornhonker]

What's Pat gonna do with the old water bags he's been lifting?

[Joe Buckstrap]

Pat Roberts built a firewall around George W. Bush's WH criminality ... and he did this repeatedly. Make no mistake: Pat Roberts made a mockery of his oath of office and the oversight role of Congress and it has cost Americans' lives.

[Grandee]

I agree we need to get rid of Bond and Blunt. As a fellow Missourian I try every time Bond comes up for election. I would also like to get rid of Blunt's kid who just happens to be our governor. I'm not in Daddy Blunt's district so I can't vote against him. We did get rid of Sen. Talent though.

[JimZ]

Kansas voters could do all Americans a favor and vote out Pat Roberts AND Sam Brownback in their next elections. Brownback may seem like a conservative but his loyalty ultimately is the Republican Party and whatever rich corporations happen to by paying him for "services". Let's not forget that Brownback was involved in getting the FDA to force a beef producer in Arkansas City, KS (his own constituency) to keep them from testing EVERY cow for mad-cow disease. At their own expense. All the big CorpoBeef companies are too interested in executive bonuses than to care about spreading mad cow disease. Geez, Japan would have LOVED to pay top-dollar for that beef (and not boycott ALL U.S. beef). I'd pay extra for that beef, myself. Now that's "looking out for your constituents"! AND what kind of "free market" policy is that? What a hypocrite.

Thank God the Bu$h-lovin'/enablin'/shillin' Jim Talent was sent packing...

[Rick W]

Roberts is the exact opposite of what a chairman should be. He was weak, partisan, secretive, and dishonest. Congress and the country will not miss his service as chairman. Good riddence !

[John Evans]

This is what these criminals are all about.

We Are All Tortures Now!

The U.S. Government has engaged in "Extraordinary Rendition", an unlawful practice in which numerous persons have been illegally detained and secretly flown to third countries, where they have suffered additional human rights abuses including torture and enforced disappearance.

These prisoners have been transported through many countries with the knowledge of their governments. By permitting the U.S.to use its territory, these countries are in effect endorsing torture of the most vile nature in what the U.S. call its "war on terror".

This video provides some evidence of the type of torture engaged in by by our allies. As citizens of the U.S. each of us is responsible for the actions of our government. We are complicit in the torture, distance from the tools used to inflict pain in no way reduces our part in these disgusting acts of barbarity.

Warning

This video contains graphic images and audio of torture and should only be viewed by a mature audience.

This is only a small part of what the word "torture" means
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15740.htm

[dickeylee]

Before he goes, he's going to reveal the where abouts of Capt Spicer, isn't he?

[Michael Ritter]

Mr. Roberts will be embarassed by what Rocky turns up and he also has a Rogain-less ego.

[jayhawkmax]

I'd be kinda surprised if Roberts runs for re-election. He's getting up there in years. I would guess Jerry Moran runs for his seat. I don't know who would run for the Dems.

I wonder if Brownback would resign his seat too - for a Presidential run. Follow Bob Dole's lead Sam! Wouldn't Governor Sebelius get to appoint his replacement, or would it be the Kansas GOP? I'd love to see us purge ourselves of both of our Senators.

[Pat]

If Brownback runs for the Senate again, I'm placing money on Sebeluis to run against him. Now that would be a race.

Dennis Moore would also be a tough candidate if he has higher goals beyond his House seat.

[LarrytheScrabbleGuy]

After a full day this article being on the site, you'd like to think that someone at the Star would fix Stearnsy's error of bias. It's bad enough the Star chooses to keep an obviously pro-Republican scribe like him on their payroll, but you'd think they'd at least think they'd bother to give a little oversight to his reportage.

[craig]

"It's bad enough the Star chooses to keep an obviously pro-Republican scribe like him on their payroll,"

It is actually amazing to me that a liberal rag like the Star would keep any pro-Republican scribe on their payroll, maybe just an attempt to show balance.

[LarrytheScrabbleGuy]

Craig, there's very little "liberal" about the Star, unless you mean its editorial page ... where it's supposed to express an opinion. You do know the difference between reporting and opinion, right?

[shrugging]

I agree with Craig and I do know this difference between reporting and opinion. Bias is shown in many ways including by what stories are pursued and who is sought for quotes and information.

That being said I see absolutely no bias in the article above. Perhaps your complaint is that the author chose to use a quote from the subject responding to the accusations rather than sticking with the Democrat Party talking points.

[LarrytheScrabbleGuy]

Shrugging, the issue is with the use of the word "Democrat." It's not the "Democrat Party," that's Republican speak. It's the "Democratic Party." And that's not a matter of talking points, it's a matter of accurate journalism. Rockefeller isn't a "Democrat senator," he's a "Democratic senator." Like it or lump it, Stearns article as it stands now is biased, just like his long running litany of warm and fuzzy pro-GOP stories.

[craig]

"Craig, there's very little "liberal" about the Star"

What planet are you from? When I want a break from reality I will come join you there.
See shrugging's comments above to mirror my opinion.

[craig]

Larry,
So what if Stearns article is biased? One out of how many writers for the Star happens to lean a little Republican. And as big of a deal as you are making out of the leaving out of -ic, you would think that Stearns called you out to a duel, and insulted your mother. Good God, get over it.

[jenniferm]

I don't read the editorial page anymore than I read Letters to the Editor. I'm not sure why anyone cares about either. All this whining about liberal or conservative stories is pretty meaningless to me. I choose what I read. For someone to assume that a written article that leans right or left cannot be obvious to the reader and therefore be dismissed or believed is offensive to me. I think people are much smarter than you give them credit for.

[craig]

Good point jen, now can you get you brother Larry to see it that way?

[LarrytheScrabbleGuy]

Looks like someone fixed Stearns' slanted copy. Thank you whoever you are.

[LarrytheScrabbleGuy]

Wait, it's still not fixed. Nevermind. And the reason it's wrong is because the use of "Democrat" like this is an insult ginned up by Republicans. It is just as biased as if the article refered to Roberts as a "rightwing kook." It's admittedly more subtle, but no less pejorative.

[craig]

Once again Larry, get a grip.

[teachermom]

Yes, Larry get a grip. Boy the left can sure dish it out - but are so "sensitive". Too much time spent on a therapists couch getting in touch with their pain or whatever.

[AlanDownunder]

He'll long be famous for reviving oversight's original meaning.

[AlanDownunder]

Were "partisan barbs" the only criticisms of his chairmanship that registered in KC?

[KSGOP]

First off, you can say a lot about Sen. Roberts but don't call him a "rightwing kook" or a shill for the Bush Administration.

You may not agree with Sen. Roberts but he deserves our respect and gratitude for his years of public service. It is easy to criticize him from the cheap seats but we have no idea what he saw (or didn't) and what he said (or didn't). He has done great things for Kansas and this country - including serving in the military.

He is a great American and a true patriot. Let's cut him some slack and be thankful that we had somebody with his integrity in that position.

[JOCOsoccermom]

It's sad that so many on this board have resorted to name calling to make their point.

I have never met Sen. Roberts but I don't think this type of personal attack is warranted. What kind of example are we setting for our kids? I don't agree with everything that President Bush has done but it wasn't Sen. Roberts calling the shots. Direct your anger where it should be and not at somebody like our senator. They have a tough enough job.

You should be ashamed of yourselves for the things that have been said here. Ashamed.

[John Evans]

He could have brought to light the corruption and lies of the Bush Administration but held his voice. Now, if they can just stay alive, we will see some oversight. It will not be pretty. That is how our system works. We have been mislead and betrayed by our leaders. Now we must stay on the Democrats to see that they remember who sent them and why.

[WendiM]

Give me a break! If "Roberts gets all his talking points from the Whitehouse" as Rockefeller claims, then surely the NY Times gets their talking points from Rockefeller! Look, the point is that whether Roberts stays or goes, this drip (Rockefeller) is going to be running the show on Intel, which is horrifying. I don't know that I'd want to stay and watch all of my hard work be undone, either. The intelligence committee should be one of the least partisan and least public committees out there. Roberts, being the straight shooter that he is, at least tried to keep it that way. With Dems in control, Republicans have to sit back and watch as they hand over the keys to the vault. Don't think Dems are capable of using national security issues for political gain? Remember in 2003 when Rockefeller was the source of a Dem strategy memo on how to use the intel to affect the outcome of the 2004 presidential election? From the memo: "Pull the majority along as far as we can on issues that may lead to major new disclosures...Prepare to launch an independent investigation when it becomes clear we have exhausted the opportunity to usefully collaborate with the majority. We can pull the trigger on an independent investigation of the administration's use of intelligence at any time. But we can only do so once...The best time to do so will probably be next year..."

These guys are in control now. As I said, horrifying.

[Ed Smiley]

Roberts has led this committee during very difficult times and our country is safer for it.

He has a great reputation among folks from both sides of the Senate aisle, and even Rockefeller has been very complimentary of his leadership.

Yes, Roberts is a Republican, but he is about as fair of a person as any in the Senate.

It has been Roberts who has pushed for reform of the intelligence committee, sometimes to the chagrin of the administration and others.

He has always tried to do the right thing regardless of the consequence and he was nearly always correct.

[JimZ]

Well the "last worders" on this thread want to end on a "positive" note about Roberts but all the good intentions and attempt for respect for this man will never cancel out all the damage he has done to our country. He lied for the man and history will prove him to be the crook he is. Didn't obey his "bible oath" to any of us Americans. Only his party.

Anyway, to get back to a point raised earler, the Kansas City Star is a REPUBLICAN newspaper, and always has been, since William Rockhill Nelson bought it back in the 1800's. In fact, Nelson was himself, the head of the Republican Party in KC back then. A simliar situation is the Chicago Tribune, owned by Joseph Medill, who was a friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln. There have been individual articles about "liberal stuff" over the years but this news source always has been, and always will be A REPUBLICAN NEWS SOURCE! Any doubt should be erased by reading the book "Tom's Town" published by the KC Star, itself. So delude yourselves, if need be, but there is no doubt, this news source has ALWAYS BEEN REPUBLICAN, sometimes in cognito, and always will be, as long as it is the voice of the Citizens Association.

[MominJOCO]

It's sad to see the comments resorting to nasty name calling. Sen. Roberts has long been known in Congress for his open, down-to-earth, honesty. He is a straight shooter if there ever was one. I am confident that Sen. Roberts has never made a decision regarding the war and the future of this country lightly. He is a father, husband and former Marine with a real sense of what is the right thing to do. I feel much safer with him at the helm of the Intel Comm. and will miss his reasonable, common sense leadership when he is gone.

[John Evans]

We will see in the next few months what kind of deeds have been done to betray the American public. Much more will come out as it should.

[younggop]

This is so embarrassing for Kansans to be saying such things about one of their most beloved Senators.

Senator Roberts was a Marine and has worked hard every day in the Senate to protect our national security. He's worked hard for the country and is a good bi-partisan Senator.

[loretta]

I'm sure Roberts is a super guy, but we must all admit that there's been alot of pacification of the "president" going on for years, and it has been courtesy of a Republican controlled House and Senate. In my estimation, that makes the majority conspirators. Can we send them all to you--to be guests at Ft. Leavenworth?

[bar mitvah]

Two poops and a kettle make my merri-go around.

[EmilyKU]

Roberts was just assigned to the prestigious finance committee! This is great for our state. In order to get things accomplished for your state, this is the place you need to be. I expect we see some great results from this new appointment.