The Anchoress

It’s one of those stories that will be all over the blogs and talk radio, while the mainstream media tiptoes around it, writing brief articles quoting angry Democrats who feel put upon but seemingly incurious about investigating the matter further.

That would be this story about the suspension of a so-far-unnamed Democrat staffer to the Intelligence Committee over his or her suspected leaks to the press, specifically the intelligence estimate on terrorism which was leaked to the NY Times…which reports (briefly, of course):

…the staff member had requested a copy of the intelligence estimate, on terrorism, from the office of the director of national intelligence, John D. Negroponte.

He said that while an internal investigation was conducted the staff member, whom he declined to name, was not permitted to enter the committee’s secure space or review classified documents.

This should be a big story. A friend of mine in the press says if a definitive link can be made, it will be a big story.

But that’s always the gotcha, right? When a story involves a Democrat, a “definitive link” can mean “incontroverible proof” (which, let’s face it, should be the standard) but can you imagine what you’d be reading if this story involved a GOP staffer - with a “definitive link” or not?

Meanwhile, this is not good for the Dems at a time when they’re supposed to be trying to convince the country that they’re tough on national security and making people forget about Dem Favorite Richard Armitage being the Plame-leaker or Sandy Berger stealing National Archive Documents in his pants.

Captain Ed Morrissey writes: Politicians have often been careless with classified material, but this will be the first time in recent memory that anyone involved in the committees have been identified as a deliberate leaker. That cannot go without serious consequences, or else politicians and their staffers from both parties will manipulate exposure of secret information for political purposes at their whim. He hopes the DOJ will launch an immediate and full investigation.

I think I just read something the other day about how leaks have helped Al Qaeda…but I was too sick to think to archive it. If anyone has that, I’d appreciate a url for it.

Not surprisingly, AJ Strata is all over this. So is Hot Air.
Ace wonders If Patrick Fitzgerald is interested.
Tigerhawk says He owes the CIA an apology.
Blue Crab says The Dems are protesting too much
Michelle Malkin says The Dems are freaking out. I don’t see it, yet. I’m sure they feel quite protected by the incurious press, in any case.
John at Powerline is kinda shrugging on it.

Also writing on this story: Betsy Newmark
Gateway Pundit
Texas Rainmaker
Iowa Voice
Sister Toldjah