Technically speaking...
The "collective" is swarming over Kay Bailey Huchison's remarks yesterday on Meet the Press. Some examples from the left-wing blogs:
Kos: "This Sunday we got a preview of the GOP post-Fitzmas spin -- that perjury isn't a crime."
Atrios: "Republicans to Americans: It's Okay to Lie Under Oath in a Criminal Investigation!"
John in DC: "Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has a soft spot in her heart for traitors."
Democratic Underground: "Bat Boy Spotted in DU Comment Area!"
Several on Huffington Post:
Alec Baldwin: "Why are contemporary Republicans so full of shit?"
Trey Ellis: "It’s Only a “Technicality” in a Culture of Corruption"
Robert Schlesinger: "Hutchison didn’t always feel this way."
Interestingly, some right wing blogs have joined the fray. Examples follow:
Michelle Malkin: "...I found Hutchison's pooh-poohing more than a bit disturbing."
BullDogPundit: "A Memo To Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison: Please Shut Up"
John Hawkins: "That is not the sort of behavior Republicans should engage in..."
It bothers me a little to see some of the critisism from the right side. I don't think Sen Hutchison was saying that perjury or obstruction should not be prosecuted. I'm not even sure that she was attacking Fitzgerald directly as some have indicated, although I think she could have been clearer with her remarks.
Controversy over those two issues aside, I do agree with her remarks in general. The left would love to have an indictment on the "outing" of Plame. Given only perjury, they will try to make the charge just as serious in their attacks anyway by dragging in peripheral issues. To them, this is about a wider issue on the war itself, and they will use any straw they can grab.
Look for Sen Hutchison and others who understand this to try and deny them that straw. Yes, perjury should be prosecuted. But put it in perspective. If there was no "outing" of a CIA agent, then perjury should stand alone without any attachment to peripheral issues. That is, unless the left goes unchallenged when they suggest otherwise.
The administration gets a black eye either way. This is about how long it will take to heal.
Perhaps I'm just being hopeful to interpret her remarks this way. Hopefully she'll find an opportunity to clarify her remarks.
