So we have a bit more info on that Iraq-only NIE that Rep. Harman (D-CA) referred to yesterday. The president’s Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend confirmed its existence but said it won’t be released till January.
Townsend claimed the timing has nothing to do with the election, just the ordinary schedule. We’re looking into that.
We’ve got the relevant exchange from the press briefing posted over at TPMmuckraker.com.
(ed.note: Just a little editorial aside. Muckraker broke the story of the second NIE yesterday morning. Now it’s frontpage on CNN. More soon.)
Late Update: We’re now hearing Townsend’s statement in the briefing may have included some sleight of hand to confuse people as to which report is being discussed. We’ll have more on this shortly.
