A must read!!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13319-2004Feb4.htmlMcCain deserves a standing ovation.
"Mr. Secretary, is it your intention still not to provide this committee with the communications concerning the Boeing decision, despite the fact that there's inspector general investigation, Department of Justice investigation, an issue of very serious consequence?
And I only have five minutes, Mr. Secretary."
-snip-
"But please answer the question about whether you still intend not to -- whether you intend to turn over the documents to this committee or not, particularly in light of actual criminal investigations that are going on."
"RUMSFELD: The first thing I would say is that it is -- you have not received a definitive answer in a long period, and for that I regret that.
The complexity of it, as I understand it, it is not a Department of Defense issue in total. It is a matter of a longstanding practice of the Department of Defense and other executive branch departments of not turning over internal documents that reflect advice and opinions of employees as they advise senior decision-makers.
You're aware of this -- e-mails are considered of that type.
With respect to the tanker issue, because of the concerns that a great many people have raised and the criminal investigation -- or the investigation, I should say, that you mentioned... "
MCCAIN: You answered my question, Mr. Secretary.
MCCAIN: I'd like your long answer to be made part of the record, OK?
RUMSFELD: Fair enough. "