The American Pundit

You see, when she said that the CIA briefers had lied to her, she actually meant that the Bush Administration had lied to her.

“We all share great respect for the dedicated men and women of the intelligence community who are deeply committed to the safety and security of the American people. My criticism of the manner in which the Bush Administration did not appropriately inform Congress is separate from my respect for those in the intelligence community who work to keep our country safe. What is important now is to be united in our commitment to ensuring the security of our country; that, and how Congress exercises its oversight responsibilities, will continue to be my focus as we move forward.”

Uh huh. Basically she knows she’s been caught in a lie, so she wants to call an end to it all now before it’s proven. Hence the Kumbaya, “let’s all just move along” bit at the end of the statement. She’s trying not only to back down from yesterday’s accusation of the agency lying to her, but from the whole charade in its entirety. Pathetic.

By the way, there was no leeway in Madame Speaker’s statement yesterday. Via Ace, here’s what she said at the press conference:

Q: Madame Speaker, just to be clear, you are accusing the CIA of lying to you in September 2002?

A: Yes, of misleading the Congress of the United States. Misleading the Congress of the United States.

There was no ambiguity there; she was asked if she was accusing the Central Intelligence Agency of lying. She answered in the affirmative. Clean cut, no blame towards the Bush Administration. So she’s lying once again.

More: Hot Air.