Pelosi: 'Sad Statement' to Say Intel Leaks Politically Motivated, So Let Me Tell You What GOP Did

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters today that it’s a “sad statement” to suggest that intelligence leaks have political motivation, while reminding reporters of past leaks by Republicans.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said yesterday that disclosure of information on classified intelligence operations has “now been leaked by the administration at the highest levels at the White House and that’s not acceptable,” adding that the administration was likely doing so in an effort to boost President Obama’s foreign policy credentials.

“With all due respect to Senator McCain, for anybody to stay that a leak, and I don’t care party, one way or another, that an intelligence leak is politically motivated is really a sad statement,” Pelosi said. “Of course there shouldn’t be leaks. If there is an accidental leak, and by the way, we had an investigation which found that Republican Senators were the source of the leaks many years ago, probably accidentally, unwittingly, but nonetheless they were the source.”

“So to say that an intelligence leak which undermines the national security of our country is something that is politically motivated, I just can’t agree with that,” she added.

“Any suggestion that this administration has authorized intentional leaks of classified information for political gain is grossly irresponsible,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said, prompting McCain to respond on CNN International, “I would expect nothing else from the White House.”

Pelosi also snapped at a reporter today when asked a question about the Catholic Church’s lawsuit against the administration mandate of providing birth control with no copayment.

“Well, I don’t think that is the entire Catholic Church,” she said. “Those people have a right to sue, but I don’t think they are speaking ex cathedra for the Catholic Church and there are people in the Catholic Church, including some of the Bishops, who have suggested that some of this may be premature.”

“But do you agree with the Catholic Church teaching that…” began a reporter.

“You know what? I do my religion on Sunday in church and I try to go other days of the week,” Pelosi said. “I don’t do it at this press conference.”