I'm shocked... ______________ GOP Staffer May Have Leaked Democrats' Memos Wednesday, November 26, 2003; Washington Post, Page A23 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said yesterday that a preliminary inquiry into how Democratic memos were leaked to the news media has turned up at least one GOP committee staffer who "improperly accessed at least some of the documents." Hatch said he ordered the inquiry, separate from a full probe by the Senate sergeant at arms, after Democrats complained that staff memos critical of President Bush's judicial nominees had been taken without authorization from Democratic staffers' computers. At least two newspapers earlier this month published the contents. The GOP staffer denied releasing the documents, Hatch said, but has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the broader investigation. A former Republican committee staffer "may also have been involved," he said. "I am mortified that this improper, unethical and simply unacceptable breach of confidential files may have occurred on my watch," Hatch told reporters. "Each senator has an expectation of receiving confidential, candid advice from his or her staff members."
"I am mortified that this improper, unethical and simply unacceptable breach of confidential files may have occurred on my watch," Hatch told reporters. I wonder if he was smirking when he said this.
He's a politician, too well trained to smirk during an exchange with the press. I'll bet he was laughing his ass off as he read the statement beforehand when one of his staffers, back from a daily espionage mission, whipped it up.
Judging from the typical political mindset, on either side of the bipartisan bully pulpit, the "GOP staffer" is probably some fresh-out-of-college intern that the GOP are putting up as a sacrifical goat in order to avoid this "outrage" when election times grow nearer. Probably just some twenty-two year old trust-fund kid who had the job of running the envelope containing the stolen Democrat memos between Hatch's office and the mailbox. Besides, we shouldn't be outraged by leaks. It may be the only way any of us ever gets accurate information. Sometimes they're going to hurt people, but it's better that they exist.
