Did Senator Reid leak sensitive info?

You know how the Democrats are so concerned about the leaking of secret intelligence? Here's something they might want to investigate!

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. ...

If this is true, it's an appalling example of carelessness. Senators blabbing out sensitive information to local news stations should not be given sensitive information in the future. If it's true, then intelligence services might want to keep the existence of their knowledge secret to protect informants. If it's wrong then the US just ends up looking stupid (which maybe the Democrats would like). It's no wonder America's allies are starting to lose confidence when feckless loudmouths like Senator Reid are running about.

Betsy Newmark has more.