Is Senator Harry Reid all that swift when it comes to U.S. Intelligence matters? Last Wednesday, the Minority Leader appeared on KRNV-TV's "Nevada Newsmakers" program and dropped a stunning revelation. He had been informed just that day that Osama bin Laden was killed in the giant Pakistan earthquake last month. "I heard that Osama bin Laden died in the earthquake, and if that's the case, I certainly wouldn't wish anyone harm, but if that's the case, that's good for the world."

Intelligence analysts tell me that the only proper action by a top U.S. Senate leader who has been given such information is radio silence. If the report is true, such information is best released at a moment of the U.S. government's choosing. For one thing, as long as the information is tightly held, it can be used to sift out electronic intercepts that might lead to other Al Qaeda leaders. On the other hand, if Mr. Reid's public speculation proves groundless, it only embarrasses the U.S. and contributes to enemy morale. Here's hoping Al Qaeda figures aren't soon appearing on Al Jazeera television chortling about the clueless Mr. Reid.

Earlier this month, Mr. Reid was eager to keep discussions of intelligence matters under wraps. For little apparent reason, he invoked a seldom-used rule that forced the Senate to go into secret session to debate complaints about pre-war intelligence concerning Saddam's weapons programs. ... 

How many times now has a prominent Democrat (Kerry, Leahy for starters) leaked information that is damaging to our national security, while the media continues to obsess over the non-leak of a non-covert, inactive, former CIA agent?

Not sure what little birdie told this juicy gossip to Senator Reid, but even if it was from Mickey Mouse, or someone even less intelligent --  it still is an outrageously irresponsible move by Reid to make such a statement publically.

Meanwhile another Democrat writes an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal who actually understands what the war in Iraq is all about AND recognizes that our national security and foreign policy are both too important to be politicized for partisan gain:  Joe Lieberman:  America can't abandon 27 million Iraqi's to 10,000 terrorists (registration required):

It is a war between 27 million and 10,000; 27 million Iraqis who want to live lives of freedom, opportunity and prosperity and roughly 10,000 terrorists who are either Saddam revanchists, Iraqi Islamic extremists or al Qaeda foreign fighters who know their wretched causes will be set back if Iraq becomes free and modern. The terrorists are intent on stopping this by instigating a civil war to produce the chaos that will allow Iraq to replace Afghanistan as the base for their fanatical war-making. We are fighting on the side of the 27 million because the outcome of this war is critically important to the security and freedom of America. If the terrorists win, they will be emboldened to strike us directly again and to further undermine the growing stability and progress in the Middle East, which has long been a major American national and economic security priority.

Please read all of Senator's Lieberman's op-ed for full context

UPDATE:  Speaking of leaks and the CIA, don't miss John Hinderaker's piece in the Daily Standard:  Leaking At All Costs