Panel Plus: 7/12

" And welcome to FOX News Sunday panel -- Laura Ingram Mara Liasson Bill Kristol and Juan Williams so let's talk about them and we didn't get a chance to talk about. In the panels and bill I'm gonna start with you and that is this this whole fuss about the CIA program that apparently was never briefed the congress over the course of the last eight years and it now turns out according to the reports that Leon Panetta told congress. Dick Cheney then vice president gave specific orders not to telkom."

" That's as we don't know what that. With his reasoning was and there are exceptions in the rule spurring congress that he told an -- the program was put into effect. What strikes me is that this issue of the bush administration's conduct of the war on terror -- to some respectable how woefully behind its history. Keeps coming up -- it's sort of and to route appointed American politics I suppose it's legitimate that it is coming up because. We need to debate. You know what kind of procedures and policies were willing we should adopt in this age we live and and the present President Bush took the first shot at them with Vice President Cheney. And that Obama district is changing some of not changing others -- that that issue isn't going -- You know expert."

" By the idea that senators Feinstein and cornyn both -- Congress should be told what. The CIA is doing so that they have proper oversight I don't think there's any argument Republican or Democrat about this -- what do you make -- Dick Cheney apparently according to Leon Panetta. Telling the CIA don't tell congress why I just think it's outside the law and you know we just don't understand why he would -- unless you know let's give him the benefit of the doubt he felt America was threatened. And he's doing all he -- to protect us as an American people. Okay but at some point he has to pay the piper now what I was surprised in hearing bill say it is -- officially opening the door. To having. As attorney general holder appoint a special prosecutor look at this I thought Republicans would say no we don't want any of that."

" But know -- when holder -- holder you know and that. Is he is talking about and -- this is another front page story today. But he's leaning towards appointing a criminal prosecutor to look into the question of whether the CIA and its interrogations. Went beyond legal authorization and and in fact tortured."

" He's talking about rogue operatives what this program although we don't know what it is apparently has nothing to do with interrogations but the one thing we learn but we don't really know what it is. We also don't know as bill said if it. Rose to the level of one of those kinds of things that have to be. -- to congress so it sounds like Leon Panetta decided it did he immediately told congress about it lessons he learned about it and he stopped the program so. Now we're gonna eventually I would assume find out what it is -- is talking about -- something different he's saying. Outside of the four walls of legality that were laid down by the bush administration of course as a controversy about that too. Did somebody go beyond those in their interrogation techniques in other words today. Water board someone. Over and above the amount of times that the Justice Department said they could that's what he's talking about getting special prosecutor -- haven't felt by the -- is pretty controversial because President Obama has -- number of times we look forward not back Laura."

" Take us to the -- bigger issue attendant -- bill was talking about the whole idea that here this administration has an unfairness that president -- he keeps saying let's look forward not back. But they keep getting you know sounds like Al Pacino in godfather three everytime I think I'm out they pull me back and it keeps coming back to the bush war on --"

" Now that the Democrats have white knuckle grip on the previous administration I think for reasons I mean I a lot of other things there."

" Are beginning to look like the falling apart here at home for the democratic agenda this is a winner for them I think they think they can get some public traction on that some public opinion on their side."

" I think it's dangerous though especially as we're seeing. -- take place right now on Afghanistan very difficult fighting for our troops there President Obama and our country obviously we want to win there it's very very difficult."

" To -- in fighting I think reality of how difficult it is to win this war on there. This realities coming crashing down on this administration that on the campaign trail -- Is all this high and mighty rhetoric about him getting to the bottom of the truth -- that even Democrats are -- truth commissions. Regular people out there like how does this actually keeping us safe -- house is actually helping any of us I think I don't think in the long term it's it's a good bet for them."

" we might overly cynical -- and thinking some democratic operative weather in the CIA or in congress said. You know let's just trot out Dick Cheney in the front page of the papers today because he's always a pretty good -- one."

" I think these -- deeper hole here having to do with -- relationship with. The CIA in the claims that the CIA had lied and I think this is all tied announced separate technically but I think it's all a ball of -- and you have to look at it met regarding. As for Cheney being the whipping boy I don't think that's fair I think -- Cheney really I -- believe that he was trying to keep us safe but he took some steps that may have been steps over the long."

" And it is pretty good job of defending yourself a couple of months ago when the debate was about that memos and whether they should release of the photos. How much of the administration -- step of the public debate should President Obama must resolution. Well then again it that's right. Thank you all and we want to thank you and we'll see an excellent that."