So..Who gets to ask Ashcroft about his warning to fly private jets...

[Junkdrawer]

Ashcroft Flying High

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2001


CBS) Fishing rod in hand, Attorney General John Ashcroft left on a weekend trip to Missouri Thursday afternoon aboard a chartered government jet, reports CBS News Correspondent Jim Stewart.

In response to inquiries from CBS News over why Ashcroft was traveling exclusively by leased jet aircraft instead of commercial airlines, the Justice Department cited what it called a "threat assessment" by the FBI, and said Ashcroft has been advised to travel only by private jet for the remainder of his term.

"There was a threat assessment and there are guidelines. He is acting under the guidelines," an FBI spokesman said. Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department, however, would identify what the threat was, when it was detected or who made it.


More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/07/26/national/main303601.shtml

I don't think the 9-11 widows will let this go unanswered.. :shrug:

[jean]

1. ? Don't know - but it will be interesting to see the difference in

interaction compared to how the commissioners dealt with Rice. I wonder if Ashcroft will be overly polite to Jamie Gorelick (the only woman)

[Junkdrawer]

2. My guess is that some Republican will toss it slow and over the plate...

so that he can say it was previously answered when the Democrats get a turn...

[Cush]

3. The CBS Evening News just brought this up

[Junkdrawer]

5. No way he was not going to address this...

Bob Kerrey acted dumb on the Franken show but this one is too well documented and is high up on the widow's list.

[acmavm]

9. Don't expect any help from Bob Kerrey. I hope I'm wrong, but I really

don't think his place on the commission means doodly squat. He's just going to go along with the white wash.

[Soloflecks]

4. But will the Commission?

If that question and others like it are not asked by this Commission, then we'll know the answer. Since the WH is pushing blame on the FBI, the FBI may decide to push back by saying exactly why it didn't act on the warnings. Ever seen piranhas feeding? Maybe the plan has gone so badly they'll end up devouring each other. I'm not into blood sports, but I'll take a front row seat for that.

[priller]

6. They need to get the documents

Since this was an official FBI threat assessment, they just need to produce the actual docs to see what they said. They don't really have to ask Ass-crack anything.

[worldgonekrazy]

8. They can ask him the question THEN ask for the docs

Like they did with Rice and the PDB. Its a brilliant strategy because if Ashcroft lies he will then have to make it obvious by refusing to give up the document or he will be charged for perjury.

To answer the original question: I expect Kerrey to ask the question, but I want Ben-Veniste to.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. It better be asked tomorrow when he goes before the commission.

I just can't wait.

[seabeyond]

10. kerrey says they checked that out totally

so i am thinking it is dismissed and wont be asked. kerrey said publicly, i think tv maybe aa.

[Junkdrawer]

11. That just won't wash. See post #3....

Now he could make up some elaborate "domestic death threat" lie, but the he opens himself up to perjury if someone in the FBI talks...

[Sterling]

15. Yes he offered no explanation

Just a "move along nothing to see here". Kinda like the put options. It's like they are saying "just trust us everything is fine, never mind all that nasty stuff you heard about".

[rogerashton]

12. I can think of two interpretations.

1) the threat was against A****** specifically -- but in that case, why narrow it to commercial jets?

2) the threat was a general one of hijacking commercial jets, and A****** was considered too valuable to lose. But in that case, why just A******?

OK, here's a possibility. It was specifically against A******, but the concern was that if he took commercial flights, someone would be able to find out where he was fishing and sneak up on him with a deer rifle. Is that too much of a stretch?

[Junkdrawer]

13. My money is on the "domestic threat" excuse...

If he really wants to hear groans, he'll say something like "I would love to reveal more, but that matter is under current investigation." and then motion to his operation incision with a twinge of pain in his face.

[robbedvoter]

14. Not Bob kerrey! he was asked by a caller on Franken show

about it (March 31) and said: "No evidence".
Too far from Clinton's crotch/war to interest him.

[Junkdrawer]

16. Kick

:kick:

[Junkdrawer]

17. And Again

:kick: