Oh yes there is doubt

Obama, yesterday:

"And there’s no doubt that Mr. Snowden’s leaks triggered a much more rapid and passionate response than would have been the case if I had simply appointed this review board to go through, and I had sat down with Congress and we had worked this thing through. It would have been less exciting. It would not have generated as much press. I actually think we would have gotten to the same place, and we would have done so without putting at risk our national security and some very vital ways that we are able to get intelligence that we need to secure the country."

Sure, maybe so ... if one buys that he was actually planning to appoint that review board in the first place. Which he wasn't. The only reason we're having this discussion, this review board, this anything is Snowden.

So, yeah, Mr. President. This is a much more rapid and passionate response than otherwise - but it's also a much more tepid response, and a much more urgent one, and a much more lackadaisical one, and a much more insert-adjective-of-your-choice one - because frankly there wouldn't have been one otherwise. And after your first term we all know it.

You claim to welcome the discussion, but you're after the blood of the man who's the only reason we're having it. Don't pretend otherwise.