Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations

The Washington Post writes

It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.

Technically that's not correct. The Democrat's official promise was to

Immediately implement the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission including securing national borders, ports, airports and mass transit systems.

In other words, they formally only promised partial implementation of the commission recommendations. Specifically, only the implementation of those recommendations that "includ[e] securing national borders, ports, airports and mass transit systems" was promised. Reforming oversight is not in that list.

Granted, shortly before the election, Nancy Pelosi promised

We will make our nation safer and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

But parse her words carefully. The word "all" is not there. She may have been happy to leave the impression that all recommendations were in scope, but she didn't actually say that.

See, there's no lie here. The administration was happy to give the impression that Saddam was involved in 9/11 even though the president may have never actually said precisely that. Ms. Pelosi and the Democrats are just doing the same thing. What, you thought the Democrats were somehow different?

(HT: Agrestic)