Sins of Commission

The Wall Street Journal ^ | March 22, 2004 | Masthead Editorial

[neverdem]

It was always a terrible idea for the September 11 commission to drop its report in the middle of a Presidential election campaign, and we are now seeing why. That body is turning into a fiasco of partisanship and political score-settling. To be precise, Democrats are using the commission as a platform to assail the Bush Administration for fumbling the war on terror, implicitly blaming it even for 9/11. That's the clear message of the testimony to be offered this week to the commission by former Clinton officials, who conveniently leaked their opinions to the New York Times in advance. Conveniently, too, former anti-terror aide Richard Clarke has chosen this week to begin the media tour for his new book pushing the same anti-Bush theme. He's also scheduled to meet the commission this week.

[lainde]

bttt

[singfreedom]

I guess it took this guy, Clark, three years to get his story straight. You know, rationalize how he could divert blame from Clinton to Bush.

Funny, isn't it, that this guy was supposed to be such an important terror fighter in the Clinton administration, and no one has ever heard of him? until now. Convenient, eh?

[Darheel]

"Democrats are using the commission as a platform to assail the Bush Administration for fumbling the war on terror, implicitly blaming it even for 9/11"

John Kerry is the leader of the party of lies and cowardice.

Kerry should be on trial for his war crimes, and Clinton for his. Bush should be re-elected on the strength of his decisions and leadership in the face of extreme adversity; they struck two towers and we humbled two terrorist nations. All the lies the Domocrats could conjure cannot reduce the strength of Bush's proven character nor tarnish the sacrifices and valor our of (volunteer) forces.

[lelio]

In order to take such a detached view, the Pearl Harbor inquiry waited until after World War II to publish its findings.

This war is almost defined to be never ending. When would the author prefer a commission to start? Never?

[NYCVirago]

This war is almost defined to be never ending. When would the author prefer a commission to start? Never?

How about after the election? Is that too much to ask? The libs on the commission keep on whining that they don't have enough time to complete this -- well, let's give them until November 3.

[The Raven]

[WARNING WILL ROBINSON ALIENS APPROACHING]

ping for coming Democratic propoganda

[Just Lori]

There's another little piece of the left wing party plan. Let me see if I can put it here.

Some Anti-Bush Groups to Run Ads Until Election Day
By LIZ SIDOTI, AP
WASHINGTON (March 22) - Right up to the day before the Nov. 2 election, voters could see television ads accusing President Bush of limiting abortion and spoiling the environment. Four groups - nonpartisan but distinctly liberal - say the rules of the campaign finance law don't apply to them, a claim no one is disputing.
Having an "MCFL" status meant little in practice until this year, the first presidential election season where there are limits on outside group ads. Those groups with the status can do what others can't: run ads when the airwaves are less crowded; pay for commercials with soft money and without disclosing donors; and tell the public to "vote for" or "vote against" particular candidates.
"It's the first year where this can make a demonstrative difference," Shipp said.
To claim the status, groups have to meet the criteria and identify themselves as an "MCFL" organization when they report independent expenditures with the FEC. The commission doesn't routinely review whether such groups meet the criteria unless it audits them or investigates them because of a complaint.
Conservative groups, such as the Club for Growth, National Right to Life and the National Rifle Association, have considered trying to qualify for the exemption.
"It's looking more likely that we will make the conversion. It makes sense because you have fewer restrictions," said David Keating, executive director of the Club for Growth. He acknowledged that his soft-money organization, classified under the tax code as an independent political group, may be hindered by its acceptance of corporate money in the past.
NARAL and Planned Parenthood, two abortion-rights groups that oppose Bush's policies, have touted their ability - and plans - to run ads in the 60-day window in hopes of raising more money from supporters for commercials.
"It's just another tool in our arsenal, which I think makes our case even more compelling to those donors who want to help us," said David Williams, Planned Parenthood's political director.
The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, which says it is focused on "stopping the anti-wildlife, anti-conservation" policies of the administration and Congress, is considering running ads in certain swing states late in the general election season, a decision that depends on fund raising, said Rodger Schlickeisen, the group's president.
The League of Conservation Voters, which endorsed Kerry in the Democratic primary, plans to run heavy levels of ads to "vigorously argue our case against George Bush," said Mark Longabaugh, the group's political director.
03/22/04 04:12 EST

[NYCVirago]

Right up to the day before the Nov. 2 election, voters could see television ads accusing President Bush of limiting abortion and spoiling the environment. Four groups - nonpartisan but distinctly liberal - say the rules of the campaign finance law don't apply to them, a claim no one is disputing.

Wow, I'm glad they passed McCain/Feingold so they could stop these kinds of ads. (/sarcasm) I guess John McCain's too busy bashing the president to actually look into these ads.

[Fiddlstix]

[FairOpinion]

PING

More proof of your "thesis" -- there is definitely an organized effort afoot to keep Bush from being re-elected and the tentacles of this effort are everywhere.