Reid wants intelligence truths on Iran

After 9/11, Neo-conservatives wanted the President to invoke a policy of preemption, which he ultimately ended up doing.  Now, Harry Reid is invoking some preemption of his own with Iran:

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said here Saturdaythat he will seek greater transparency from the Bush administrationabout possible threats posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Hesaid he wants to prevent possible misuse of intelligence as theadministration deals with the crisis.

Speaking before a partisanaudience of Internet bloggers and Democratic activists, Reid said heplans to introduce legislation next week that would require a newnational intelligence estimate for Iran, along with an unclassifiedsummary that could form the basis for a public debate about possibleaction if Tehran continues to seek nuclear weapons.

He also said he will require Director of National Intelligence John D.Negroponte to demonstrate that he has in place a process to reviewpublic statements by President Bush, Vice President Cheney and otherofficials with regard to Iran. Many Democrats allege that Bush andCheney manipulated intelligence in making the public case for war withIraq.

"We face many threats -- threats that have grown worse -- because thisadministration took its eye off the ball," he said in remarks preparedfor delivery. "We must address these threats, but we must not bemanipulated into acting for ideological or political gain."

I will be particularly interested to see whether or not the 2008 Republican prospects, such as John McCain and George Allen, end up supporting Reid's resolution.  If they refuse, then whoever becomes the Democratic nominee in 2008 can rightfully say that McCain (or Allen) voted against both transparency and accountability.