http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2009/04/unpacking-the-aipac-story.html

I hope this story isn’t true; because Rep Harman is one of the few Democrats I have always liked and respected up there on the Hill.

I also doubt she would come out so strongly denying it if she knew it were caught on tape.

So, who leaked this rumor…..and why?

But the FISA court has nothing to do with criminal investigations, as Title III covers criminal cases involving wiretaps. Title IIIs are reviewed and approved by a District Court judge.

So, what we really have here is a garden variety criminal investigation of espionage by Harman. Looks like another Jonathan Pollard.

As others have pointed out, the story is replete with open questions, such as who was the “suspected Israeli agent,” and whether such person was Israeli or American or other. Others question the timing, coming soon before the trial of the AIPAC officials is to take place (after the DOJ suffered serious legal setbacks on the case).

While these analyses are interesting, they miss the point. Leaks of highly classified NSA wiretaps don’t just happen. Someone has to have a purpose, and have confidence that they will not become the subject of prosecution for leaking the material. While the leak may have some relationship to the upcoming trial, I think it is more likely that the leak is an attempt to set supporters of Israel back on their heels in light of a growing U.S.-Israel dispute over Israel’s alleged plans to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel denies have imminent plans to attack, although one would not expect such acknowledgement anyway.

This scandal is going to vanish. The U.S. government and media, both of which are Israeli assets, will make it happen. Just watch and see.

CQ Politics has published an article claiming the National Security Administration has an audio recording of Congresswoman Jane Harman (CA 36) offering an Israeli agent help in getting charges reduced against two men in return for Israeli aid in her……

Otherwise, if Harman was caught on tape agreeing to exert influence on an ongoing federal case, and then does it. She’s in a mess of trouble.

Clearly this was released to try and hold Obama’s and the Dem’s base together. With the economy not producing jobs there is growing frustration with the Dems in DC now in power. It is a classic diversionary effort, but it won’t work. The country never once bought into the NSA-FISA BS from the New York Times. Did not work then, will not help now.

It appears the behind the scenes answer is that Harman is being protrayed (probably accurately so) as friendly toward Israel. This appears to be a very valid reason within the Obama Admin to be seen as not part of the ‘in crowd’, why she was overlooked for some jobs it is rumored she was considered for.
There may be other objectives also, especially the ‘Bush gang’ was violating the law by listening to Democrats conversations. There are a lot of motives that drive these events. Consider most of them to be valid.

in the interest of disclosure: I am pro Bush and pro Israel.