NO BASIS for Washington Post story About Powell resignation . It's TOTALLY FALSE

Drudge ^ | Aug. 4, 2003 | Drudge

[FairOpinion]

No Basis for Washington Post Story

PRESS RELEASE FROM STATE: Regarding the story in today's Washington Post about Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Deputy Secretary Richard L. Armitage, there was no conversation between the Deputy Secretary and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice concerning any plans for "stepping down." There is no basis for the story. As Secretary Powell has always said, he and Deputy Secretary Armitage serve at the pleasure of the President, and will continue to do so.

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"This is gossip and rumor," said State Department spokesman Philip Reeker when asked about The Washington Post story. "The story purports to describe a conversation that took place. That conversation never took place."

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WHITE HOUSE: Scott McClellan just announced that Secy Powell and Deputy Secy Armitage will be arriving at the Crawford Ranch tomorrow evening for dinner with the President. The two will overnight in Crawford and then will meet again with the President on Wednesday and have lunch before heading back to DC...

[FairOpinion]

Well, those who believe everything the WP & NYT prints, but don't believe Debka, take note.

[Mo1]

Might want to send that comment to Rush and Drudge ..

[rintense]

Doesn't Drudge siren WP stories all the time, including the original 'Powell will step down' one???

[Tank-FL]

" but don't believe Debka, take note"

Yea, What happened to the Debka link on Free Republic ?

[jriemer]

Offical statements awaiting Washington Post retractions *ping*

[MizSterious]

Sounds like the liberals are just "wishful thinking" in print. Debka, though, is at least interesting--unlike the NYT, Washington Post, NPR and other "acceptable" media sources on FR. And, as you stated, at least as accurate, if not more so.

[MightyMouseToSaveThe Day]

A-HA!! I said this yesterday that i doubted the validity of this story from the Post. It sounded to me that the Post was floating hopeful stories in an effort to drive a wedge between Bush and his high black support. I feel vindicated.

[Republican Red]

I used to hyperventilate when I saw a "hugh and series" story highlighted by Drudge (or for that matter FR). It's gotten to the point that when I put the curser over the link to the story and I see NYT, WP or LA Times I don't even click on anymore. I know the story be 1)captioned with a misleading headline 2) not be news but be commentary 3) not be the truth. Why bother even reading it.

[Miss Marple]

I still think that someone who is a leaker has been trapped...hopefully one of those weenies in the State Department.

Even if Powell were considering leaving, he would NEVER announce it this early, not only to avoid harming the President but more importantly, it would undercut his position as Secretary of State.

[PhiKapMom]

Almost have to wonder if the Clintonites left at State are the anonymous source! Would have to got outside and look if the Wash Post or NY Times told me the sky was blue that day with no clouds. That is how little I believe either paper today.

[newgeezer]

I'll bet you're right!

[End Times Sentinel]

Well, I'm disappointed I might have to suffer another four years of C. Powell toadying up to palestinians, but it's nice to see the Washington Post discredited yet again.  When will people sit up and take note that this rag just conjures stories up out of thin air???

 

Owl_Eagle

”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores

[dirtboy]

Well, those who believe everything the WP & NYT prints, but don't believe Debka, take note.

We know that all three are full of crap. Your point is?

[theDentist]

So, did Jayson Blair find a new job?

[caisson71]

I believe this is more "planting the seeds of discontent and disension".

[jriemer]

I still think that someone who is a leaker has been trapped...hopefully one of those weenies in the State Department.

They could run this routine every day (and be murder on our blood pressure) until 11/2004 and still not put a dent in the stockpile of left-over ghouls at State Department. There's just too many of them that can be coaxed out of their gopher holes to expose themselves enough to be fired for leaking this or similar information. The civil service regulations tie Bush and Powell's hands except for all the most severe cases. Its a tough situation where your own admistration is as much a vicious enemy as any seen in Afganistan or Iraq.

[Republican Red]

Fox was reporting that the story was strange (even though they reported on it as truth earlier) because the Secretary of State would never announce 18 months in advance that he was leaving. He would become a lame duck to the world which undercuts his remaining tenure. Also, if Powell were leaving he would go right to the President not through underlings to let the Presdient know. Sounds like either a made-up story to undermine Powell or a "journalist" got snookered by a democratic source.

[FairOpinion]

The original FALSE story is still in "Breaking News", that's why I posted this one there, but it was removed.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/957661/posts

It just doesn't make sense to have the FALSE story under Breaking news, and the correction down someher, where not everyone may see it.

[Timesink]

Schadenfreude

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[Political Junkie Too]

I believe this is more "planting the seeds of discontent and disension".

Look for the follow-up story about how this hurts Bush's credibility.

-PJ