Clarke denies playing election-year politics

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23604036.htm

WASHINGTON, March 23 (Reuters) - Former U.S. counter-terrorism expert Richard Clarke on Tuesday rejected White House charges that he is playing election-year politics by attacking President George W. Bush's record on fighting al Qaeda before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

A day after a furious White House attempt to discredit him as a disgruntled former employee who has ties to the presidential campaign of Democrat John Kerry, Clarke hit the television airwaves to fight back.

"I'm not doing this because I'm disgruntled, I'm doing this because I think the American people need to know the truth," Clarke told ABC's "Good Morning America."

He denied he had timed the release of his book, which accuses Bush of concentrating too much on Iraq and not enough on al Qaeda, to have political impact, saying it was held up by the administration for a security check.

more

[UpInArms]

1. related article: Clarke: 'White House is papering over facts

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/23/clarke/

excerpt:

CLARKE: Right, and what happened after 1998? There was a military retaliation against al Qaeda and the covert action program was launched, the U.N. sanctions were obtained. The administration did an all-out effort compared to what the Bush administration did. The Bush administration did virtually nothing during the first months of the administration, prior to 9/11.

President Bush himself said in a book when he gave an interview to Bob Woodward, he said "I didn't feel a sense of urgency about al Qaeda. It was not my focus, it was the focus of my team." He is saying that. President Bush said that to Bob Woodward. I'm not the first one to say this.

...lots of good info at link...

I am really glad that Clarke has gotten out in front with his book - this is information desperately needed by the people of this country. The lies that are hidden in every dark recess at 1600 Penn Ave need to be exposed.

[Just Me]

2. Powell's testimony essentially substantiates that,...

,...other than meeting, reviewing and planning,...no proactive steps were taken prior to 9/11. Madeline Albright came off as far more proactive and hawkish than did Powell when it came to the threat of terrorism. Armitage just looked pissed off *LOL*,...particularly when panel members again demanded the presence of Rice.

[UpInArms]

3. KindaSleazy only

answers questions for O'Really, inSanity, Limp-Bag and their brothers-in-whoredom.

:puke:

S/he doesn't think that there is a bit of responsibility for her inactions.

S/he's wrong.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. "KindaSleazy"?

stop it, you're killin' me .... :yourock:

[ronnykmarshall]

6. So Condi still hidin' huh?

What's up with that?

[cspiguy]

4. LOL

n/t