Bond Quits Bipartisan Review of Bush-Era Interrogation Policies

Kit Bond has removed himself from the Senate Intelligence Committee's review of Bush-era terrorist interrogation techniques, perhaps because he didn't like what he was finding. Bond had been working with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) since March on a investigation of interrogation policies, but Bond now says he's seen enough.

Bond says his move comes in response to Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to appoint a prosecutor to investigate alleged CIA interrogation abuses, including episodes that resulted in prisoner deaths.

Feinstein says the review will not be deterred by Bond's stunt.

"I very much regret the fact that the Republican side of the Intelligence Committee has chosen not to continue to participate in the Committee’s study and investigation into the detention and interrogation of high-value detainees. However, that study and investigation is being pursued, additional staff are being hired, and the Committee is continuing the work with all due diligence."

I don't understand what Bond is hoping to accomplish with this move. As the Washington Independent's Spencer Ackerman notes: "By definition, then, the Senate panel will produce a partisan report. But Bond has just forfeited his right to complain about that."

Image credit: CNN