Pingree and Lawrence: Given McClellan’s information, Congress must take action

The Associated Press reported today that former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan blames President Bush and Vice President Cheney for helping to deceive the public over who leaked the identity of Valerie Plame, a former CIA operative.

Here, in Maine, Congressional candidates Chellie Pingree and Mark Lawrence have made public statements on McClellan’s accusations, which came from his upcoming book.

Pingree, a former state Senate majority leader and president of Common Cause, said the Judiciary committees should hold hearings immediately and subpoena McClellan, demanding that he testify under oath about the identity leak.

On her Web site, she has started a petition for Congress to do just that. She asked members of the Facebook group supporting her to sign it. 

Pingree wrote in her blog: “That it has taken so long to find out the truth is a sad reflection on our democracy. If what McClellan says is true (and after his willingness to lie to the press, who knows...), it will call into question the legitimacy of the entire administration. And we may see a changing of the guard at the White House sooner than expected.”

Lawrence, the current York County District Attorney, said in his statement that the information from McClellan reinforces the need for impeachment of the President and Vice-President.

“Congress has a duty to hold this administration accountable,” Lawrence said. “No one in this country should be above the law, especially those who have sworn an oath to uphold it.”

Lawrence has repeatedly called for impeachment.

“When I was growing up in Kittery, my parents taught me to take responsibility for my actions,” Lawrence said. “We need hearings in Congress. We need the truth about what the President, Vice-President, and other administration officials know regarding Valerie Plame.”