Kerry Intelligence Briefings Delayed (He demands meetings for large groups away from D.C.)

Washington Post (excerpt) ^ | August 19, 2004

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

Aides to President Bush and John F. Kerry are sparring over the terms for intelligence briefings for the Democratic presidential nominee, delaying the post-convention overview typically given to the challenger.

Those on Bush's side say the Kerry campaign is insisting on having briefings outside of Washington -- a hardship for top CIA officials during a time of heightened threats -- and is demanding that an unusually large number of Kerry advisers be permitted to participate in the highly classified sessions. Those on Kerry's side say it is the Bush administration that has been slow to deal with the logistics, including security clearances, needed for the briefings.

[snip]

[NavySEAL F-16]

I don't think the Kerry campaign can be trusted with this information.

It just brings up images of Sandy and the exploding socks.

[flashbunny]

The man is just to busy to worry about such things...

[Mo1]

Those on Bush's side say the Kerry campaign is insisting on having briefings outside of Washington -- a hardship for top CIA officials during a time of heightened threats -- and is demanding that an unusually large number of Kerry advisers be permitted to participate in the highly classified sessions.

HELLO???? .. Who are these "Advisor"????

BTW .. If Kerry can fly his Hair dresser in for a hair cut ... then he can fly his fat butt into DC to get a security briefing

[Dolphy]

I'm with you, they can't be trusted and it makes me sick to learn that any of them will have access..

[smonk]

Ummmmmmmmmm, his day job is in Washington, DC, isn't it?

[GOPrincess]

He's worried about the Bush Administration being slow with security clearances when he had Sandy Berger as a chief advisor?!

[G Larry]

Kerry's post-war actions make him unfit for any clearance.

[t2buckeye]

It's curious that according to the article, earlier administrations included the Vice-Presidential candidates, whereas Kerry wants former State Dept. official Rubin and his campaign aide, Mary Beth Cahill and others involved in the briefing.....not Edwards.

[Mo1]

Beers, former State Department officials James P. Rubin and Susan Rice, and campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill

I need to read better ...

Sorry .. I don't trust these folks with our National Security .. especially Mary Beth

[Howlin]

On Aug. 2, the Monday after the Democratic convention, Bush's national security adviser Condoleezza Rice called Kerry foreign policy adviser Rand Beers to offer intelligence briefings. When Beers, who was vacationing, returned Rice's call Aug. 5, the two agreed to set up the briefings. But nearly two weeks later, there has been no progress in the discussions.

He didn't return her call for four days????

A GOP source close to the negotiations said that "the briefing hasn't occurred because Kerry has insisted he doesn't have time for it unless it is done outside of D.C., which is logistically a nightmare for the DCI [director of central intelligence] and [Homeland Security Secretary Tom] Ridge in light of the current threat."

The source, who did not have authorization to discuss the matter publicly and therefore spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Kerry campaign requested that a "ridiculous number" of aides attend the briefing: Beers, former State Department officials James P. Rubin and Susan Rice, and campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill.

Who would want give them clearance after Sandy Berger???

[BykrBayb]

According to the FBI, during the time that kerry was a spokesman for VVAW, they gathered information about US Military bombing plans, and disseminated that information (presumably to North Viet Nam.) Should he really have security clearance?

FBI says VVAW disclosed US Military plans (Kerry's Treason)

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Ummmmmmmmmm, his day job is in Washington, DC, isn't it?"

As long as Kerry is a standing Senator, briefings are to be held in Washington DC.

He cannot have it both ways. He is either a Senator or a candidate.

[Peach]

Exactly!

[maica]

Are these the same "advisors" who do not know the difference between "John Kerry" and "Bob Kerrey?"

I hope Dr Rice never gets back to them.

[newzjunkey]

He's John "F'n" Kerry, alright. NO special treatment, especially for someone who can't even to the job the folks of MA hired him to do! Surely he can find time among all those "working vacations" he's been taking to get his briefing.

[newzjunkey]

She needs to take a page from Kerry's hag and just say, "Shove it!" about the location and aides.

[maica]

I bet there are lots of diplospeak ways to say "shove it!"

One thing we knoew is Dr Rice can think circles around the campaign staff of FnK.