Troubling: Jay Rockefeller

This is quite troubling: (via the Political Teen, who has video)

SEN. ROCKEFELLER: No. The – I mean, this question is asked a thousand times and I’ll be happy to answer it a thousand times. I took a trip by myself in January of 2002 to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria, and I told each of the heads of state that it was my view that George Bush had already made up his mind to go to war against Iraq – that that was a predetermined set course which had taken shape shortly after 9/11.

As Captain Ed notes: [bold not mine]

If this is true, Rockefeller should get ejected from the Senate and possibly stand trial for treason. In 2002, we were at war against Islamofascist terrorists, and Syria has long been listed by the US State Department as a terrorist-supporting state. What Rockefeller admitted was conspiring with the enemy during a state of war — and he should be held accountable, especially considering his admission of the act on national television.

I'd have to disagree on conspiring. But for the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee to make statements as to the intentions of the President is problematic, as there's three possibilities:

1) Either the President had made such a statement, in which case revealing military plans would be treasonous; or

2) The President had not made such a statement, in which case Rockefeller was lying. If he was lying, he would be worsening relations between the United States of America and foreign countries - which could be treasonous.

3) Rockefeller is lying now, which would be a disgusting - and stupid - play of politics. [Interesting, half-kidding thought: Is lying for political gain treasonous? Perhaps, on some level, it should be...]

I'm hoping it's number three, because playing politics on national television is something we've (sadly) at least come to expect and discount. Playing politics on foreign trips with foreign leaders who are likely believing such comments is dangerous and foolhardy.