Arlen Specter: “No, I do not think it is an admission because, like consent, it has to be informed. And I do not think he is informed. I…”

“No, I do not think it is an admission because, like consent, it has to be informed. And I do not think he is informed. I do not think anybody is informed. I do not think Senator DeWine intends to make an admission. I think Senator DeWine, in good faith--very good faith--is searching for a way out. And I think he made a significant step forward when his actions resulted in seven members of the Senate Intelligence Committee being briefed. The reason I say ``I think'' is because I do not know what they were told. But I think that is a significant step. Senator DeWine's proposal of legislation to allow the program to go on for 45 days is no concession. It is going on anyway. His idea to bypass the FISA Court and allow the Administration instead to go to the Intelligence Subcommittee, I think, is not appropriate because the Intelligence Subcommittee does not have the function of a court. So I think he is doing the best he can. But right now we are flying blind on a great deal of this, and we have to accept very limited representations by the Gang of 8, and now the new Gang of 7. And no matter what, it does not amount to judicial review. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.”