Sandy Berger - here we go...

That rumbling sound you hear is the Republican noise machine buzzing about this story that Clinton NSA Sandy Berger removed classified documents (or copies of documents, depending on what story you read) and notes from the National Archives related to counter-terrorism efforts during the foiled 2000 millennium plot. Once again, in the breaking of a scandal, we learn what the rules are in America that we would previously not know:

Berger's home and office were searched earlier this year by FBI agents armed with warrants after the former Clinton adviser voluntarily returned some sensitive documents to the National Archives and admitted he also removed handwritten notes he had made while reviewing the sensitive documents.

Berger and his lawyer said Monday night he knowingly removed the handwritten notes by placing them in his jacket and pants, and also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio.

``I deeply regret the sloppiness involved, but I had no intention of withholding documents from the commission, and to the contrary, to my knowledge, every document requested by the commission from the Clinton administration was produced,'' Berger said in a statement to the AP.

So you can't take your own notes from the National Archives on documents you review? Never knew that the culture of secrecy was that deep. Don't know if it's right or wrong, I just didn't know that. So, the questions begin. Is Sandy Berger a spy? Does he have something to hide? Or did he just inadvertently put something in his briefcase? (CNN reported some unsourced apocryphal story about him putting documents in his shoes; take that for what you will.)

Well, it doesn't really matter what the intent was, because over on the right all you're going to hear is the shrill shouts of "COVER-UP! SCANDAL! DEMOCRAT! KERRY!" (No report on Berger gets reported without the "Mr. Berger is an informal advisor to the Kerry campaign" line) House Speaker Dennis Hastert just released a press brief on the Berger case that predictably smeared with lines like "Was this a bungled attempt to rewrite history... Mr. Berger has some explaining to do" and the like. I'm sure the graphics coordinator at Fox News is currently figuring out what font the words "BERGER" and "DOUBLE AGENT" would look best in. And Instapundit (I'll link to it, but please, don't go) is leading the right-wing blog charge. So really this is beyond whether what Berger did is right or wrong (and by the way, what he did WAS wrong, IMO, and if it's convictable, he should go to jail). It's about perception now. And the fact that this story has been leaked just days before the 9/11 Commission releases their report and recommendations is highly suspect.

I hope this investigation continues with the same speed as the Valerie Plame investigation (which recently celebrated its first anniversary).