CNS:

Rep. Trent Frank (R.-Ariz.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, says Congress should hold a hearing to examine the inadvertantly recorded remarks in which President Barack Obama asked outgoing Russian President and soon-to-be Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to ask incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin to give Obama some “space” because he will have “more flexibility” after the November presidential election here in the United States.

Franks described Obama’s remarks as “outrageous” and an “outright betrayal of his fundamental duty as president.” Consequently, he said, Congress should seek to determine what Obama’s actual policy is compared to what he is telling the American people and America’s NATO allies.

“This issue certainly rises to the level deserving a congressional hearing,” Franks told CNSNews.com in a written response on Tuesday. “The American people and our allies need clarification of the administration’s policy on missile defense and national security in general. I know the House Strategic Forces Subcommittee is looking into possibly holding a hearing on this. Hopefully, they’ll be able to find some time in the schedule for the administration to provide clarity on their missile defense policy.”

Obama and Medvedev held a bilateral meeting on Monday in Seoul, South Korea, where both were attending the Nuclear Security Summit. During a tete-a-tete,  a microphone picked up Obama and Medvedev talking about missile defense and other unspecified issues. Both Medvedev and Putin, who are political allies, are opponents of the planed U.S.-NATO missile defensive system for Europe. The missile defense is designed to protect U.S. allies and U.S. forces in the region from Iranian missile strikes.

Obama says in the exchange, “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him [Putin] to give me space.” Medvedev says, “Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you.” Obama then says, “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” Medvedev responds, “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.”

Putin, 52, was a member of the Communist Party and served in the KGB from 1975 to 1991.[…]

[…]

Rep. Franks said the overheard exchange revealed a betrayal of Obama’s “fundamental duty as president.”

“To say that ‘this is my last election and after my election I’ll have more flexibility’ when referring to anything is outrageous,” said Franks.  “But to be saying this in reference to our missile defense and national security is an outright betrayal of his fundamental duty as president.”

Nonsense.  Rep Franks is suggesting malfeasance when, in reality, all we’re witnessing is a good man who loves his country and just happens to be in a bit over his head.  Passing secrets on to former KGB.  While lying to the US about what his actual policies are.  Something his Administration seems to do without giving it so much as a second thought.  All until he can secure re-election and doesn’t have to worry about being punished by voters.  At which time, meh.

Sillies.