BIDEN: Thank you very much.
General, how has this revelation damaged the program?
I’m almost confused by it but, I mean, it seems to presuppose that these very sophisticated Al Qaida folks didn’t think we were intercepting their phone calls.
I mean, I’m a little confused. How did it damage this?
GONZALES: Well, Senator, I would first refer to the experts in the Intel Committee who are making that statement, first of all. I’m just the lawyer.
And so, when the director of the CIA says this should really damage our intel capabilities, I would defer to that statement. I think, based on my experience, it is true — you would assume that the enemy is presuming that we are engaged in some kind of surveillance.
But if they’re not reminded about it all the time in the newspapers and in stories, they sometimes forget.
(LAUGHTER)
And you’re amazed at some of the communications that exist. And so when you keep sticking it in their face that we’re involved in some kind of surveillance, even if it’s unclear in these stories, it can’t help but make a difference, I think.
BIDEN: Well, I hope you and my distinguished friend from Alabama are right, that they’re that stupid and naive because we’re much better off if that’s the case.
I go the impression from the work I’ve done in this area that they’re pretty darn sophisticated; they pretty well know.
It’s a little like when we talk about — when I say you all haven’t — not you, personally — the administration has done very little for rail security.
Full transcript is now available at the Washington Post
I am sure al Qaeda doesn’t a) forget or b) even care if we get warrants or not. The American people are the ones concerned over warrants. As matter of fact, I bet Osama is happy we are having this discussion because it proves some of those “freedoms” they attacked us over has been stripped by Bush.
Sorry, Blogger has been down for the last 90 minutes or so. I had this earlier but couldn’t post.