Think Progress
Friday, January 19, 2007 

On multiple occasions leading up to the November elections, President Bush accused opponents of his domestic warrantless wiretap program of not wanting to listen to terrorist phone calls:

BUSH: In all these vital measures for fighting the war on terror, the Democrats just follow a simple philosophy: Just say no. When it comes to listening to the terrorists, what’s the Democrats’ answer? It’s, just say no. [10/30/06]

BUSH: If the people of the United States don’t think we ought to be listening in on the conversations of people who could do harm to the United States, then go ahead and vote for the Democrats. [10/4/06]

BUSH: The stakes in this election couldn’t be more clear. If you don’t think we should be listening in on the terrorist, then you ought to vote for the Democrats. If you want your government to continue listening in when al Qaeda planners are making phone calls into the United States, then you vote Republican. [10/3/06]

During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) confronted Attorney General Gonzales with these accusations. Gonzales denied they referred to elected officials, but instead to certain “blogs today … who don’t want us eavesdropping at all”:

FEINGOLD: Do you know of any one in the country who opposed eavesdropping on terrorists?

GONZALES: Sure, if you look at blogs today, there is a lot of concern about all types of eavesdropping, who don’t want us eavesdropping at all.

FEINGOLD: Do you know anyone in government who ever took that position?

GONZALES: No, but that is not what I said.

FEINGOLD: It is a disgrace and disservice to your office and the President to have accused people on this Committee of opposing eavesdropping on terrorists.

GONZALES: I didn’t have you in mind or anyone on the Committee when I referred to people who oppose eavesdropping on terrorists. Perish the thought.

Perish the thought, indeed.