Bush Acts Against Critics on Guard Records and 9/11 (Private Testimony!!)

[RedSock]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/14/politics/14BUSH.html

Bush Acts Against Critics on Guard Records and 9/11
By ELISABETH BUMILLER and PHILIP SHENON
Published: February 14, 2004

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 — President Bush moved on Friday night to try to stem potentially damaging election-year questions about his military record and whether the White House mishandled intelligence threats before the Sept. 11 attacks. ...

The announcement that Mr. Bush would appear before the 9/11 commission came less than a half-hour later, shortly before 7 p.m., in a short statement e-mailed to reporters by the White House. In it, the White House said Mr. Bush had agreed to a request for a private meeting with the commission, which is led by Thomas H. Kean, a former Republican governor of New Jersey.

It was unclear how much of Mr. Bush's testimony would eventually be made public in a commission report. But commission officials said that much of the testimony might have to remain secret because it would almost certainly deal with highly classified intelligence matters. ..."

"The commission is delighted that the president has responded favorable to the invitation to appear at a private session," said Al Felzenberg, the panel's spokesman. "There will now be meetings between the commission staff and White House aides about time and place and format."

**********

fvckers!!!!! i KNEW the commission would back down!!!

[pinkpops]

1. What happened with Clinton and Gore?

I had heard they would be asked, and Cheney too.

[RedSock]

3. WaPo

Bush, Clinton Agree to Testify Privately to Panel Probing 9/11
White House Rules Out Public Questioning of President
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 14, 2004; Page A12

President Bush agreed to meet privately with the independent commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but has ruled out offering any testimony in a public setting, according to a White House statement released last night. ...

In a statement, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said "the president has agreed to the request" from Kean and Hamilton for "a private meeting." "While the chair and vice chair have suggested the possibility of a public session at a later time," the statement continued, "we believe the president can provide all the requested information in the private meeting, and there is no need for any additional testimony."

Bush's decision appears to resolve the latest standoff between the 10-member commission and the White House...

Kristen Breitweiser: "I don't understand why high-ranking officials would not welcome the opportunity to testify openly in a public forum. If you've got nothing to hide, why wouldn't you welcome a chance to talk to the American people openly and tell them that?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40942-2004Feb13.html

[sadiesworld]

2. I think Clinton should testify publicly and show the snake for what he is,

[bvar22]

4. Agreed. Clinton & Gore should demand public testimony.

The conservative myth is that the Clinton administration did NOTHING to stop terrorism. Public testimony would allow them to showcase their efforts and successes against the terrorists and should end with testimony highlighting Hart Rudman Report and the other recommendations to the bush* cabal. Had bush* followed these recommendations (strengthening cockpit doors), 911 would not have happened!!!!

Public testimony would be an INVALUABLE assist in the Dem campaign for 04. Please don't throw this opportunity for the truth down the memory hole!!
Who do we contact??

[Bridget Burke]

8. Can they demand public testimony?

I doubt they would be allowed. Hearing both of these intelligent, well-spoken men describing their efforts against terrorism--in front
of the world--would just make Shrub's private session look bad.

Of course, if Bush really had to answer some hard questions in public, he'd look even worse.

[Occulus]

11. perhaps not, but

they could agree to public testimony, which would immediately put * on the hot seat. Doubly so if any of his challengers are also willing to say things in public.

[seemslikeadream]

7. Clarify for me please?

Just who is the snake?

[skypilot]

10. I believe he's saying...

...that Bush would come off looking like a snake for insisting on testifying in private after Clinton testified publicly--if Clinton should do so.

[pinniped]

5. Does chimpy get to read off his teleprompter at the neeting?

Inquiring minds wanna know.

[dArKeR]

6. Questions Over Bush 9/11 Testimony - CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/27/terror/main596208.shtml

[leetrisck]

9. I believe this has changed again, bush

is now saying "not with the full commission" - so who will he "meet" with - just Kean - or just another way of holding off the subpoena which Kean seems to have no intent of ever serving anyway - just looks good to threaten.

[Robb]

12. Do they actually mean "testimony"?

As in A declaration by a witness under oath?