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CLARKE PRAISES BUSH IN RESIGNATION LETTER! (Dems blow it again)
Associated Press ^ | JENNIFER LOVEN

Posted on 03/23/2004 2:59:45 PM PST by Pukin Dog

WASHINGTON - The White House, seeking to cool criticism from a former top anti-terror adviser, said Tuesday that Richard Clarke's resignation letter praised President Bush's "courage, determination, calm and leadership" on Sept. 11, 2001.

"It has been an enormous privilege to serve you these last 24 months," said the Jan. 20, 2003, letter from Clarke to Bush. "I will always remember the courage, determination, calm, and leadership you demonstrated on September 11th."

The letter was stamped "the president has seen" the next day.

Clarke, who left the Bush administration in March 2003 after 30 years in government service and 11 years at the White House, has written a book in which he criticizes the president and his administration for ignoring repeated warnings about al-Qaida before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and acting ineffectively afterward, primarily because of a preoccupation with Iraq (news - web sites).

On Monday, the day Clarke's "Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror" hit stores and the day after he promoted it in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," the White House went to great lengths to dismiss Clarke's accusations. Administration officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites), appeared on television and radio to argue that Clarke was inaccurate, politically motivated, disgruntled over bureaucratic changes that reduced his influence, merely trying to sell books — or all four at once.

That White House campaign continued Tuesday with the release of Clarke's letter announcing his intention to step down.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan suggested Clarke's praise belies his later criticism of Bush's handling of the crisis.

"At this time period, when he was leaving, there was no mention of the grave concerns he claims to have had about the direction of the war on terrorism, or what we were doing to confront the threat posed by Iraq, by the former regime," McClellan said.

But the letter contains no praise of Bush's anti-terror actions before or after the attacks — only on the day of. Clarke does commend Bush for his "intuitive understanding" of the importance of cybersecurity.

Clarke's job as the White House's counterterrorism chief was split in two early in the Bush White House, with Clarke put in charge of cybersecurity and others brought in for the anti-terror role.

"You had prescience in creating the position of Special Adviser to the President for Cyberspace Security and I urge you to maintain that role in the White House," Clarke wrote.

Also, even though the White House argued that Clarke's memoir was released to do the maximum political damage to Bush in a presidential election year, McClellan would not say when the required national security review of the book was completed, allowing its publication to proceed. Publications by administration officials are routinely vetted to make sure that nothing is released that compromises classified information or national security.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cbs; clarke; democrats; letters; liar; opportunist; resignation; richardclarke
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What else ya got, Democrats?

This one just bit the dust.

1 posted on 03/23/2004 2:59:46 PM PST by Pukin Dog
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To: Pukin Dog
This white house punches back ratboys.
2 posted on 03/23/2004 3:01:54 PM PST by Alcibiades
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To: Pukin Dog; Howlin
ROFL!
3 posted on 03/23/2004 3:02:03 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: cyncooper
You gotta see this!
4 posted on 03/23/2004 3:03:07 PM PST by EllaMinnow (Within fewer hours the "Freepern" succeed in tilting the tuning.)
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To: Pukin Dog
these liberals are such stupid morons!
5 posted on 03/23/2004 3:03:49 PM PST by petercooper (I actually did vote for the $87 Billion, before I voted against it.)
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To: Pukin Dog
I wonder how many people saw the 60 minutes BS and not all the responses to counter the charges?
6 posted on 03/23/2004 3:04:15 PM PST by TJC (t)
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To: Pukin Dog
Did Clark put this letter in his book....I bet not!
7 posted on 03/23/2004 3:06:01 PM PST by mystery-ak (Please support the USO...our troops really depend on them.)
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To: Pukin Dog
Bwaaahahaha!!
Looks like the demoncRATS have to now 'file' Clarke in the 'aw sh*t', or oops drawer.
8 posted on 03/23/2004 3:06:11 PM PST by Condor51 ("Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments." -- Frederick the Great)
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To: Pukin Dog
This is unbiased reporting?

But the letter contains no praise of Bush's anti-terror actions before or after the attacks — only on the day of. Clarke does commend Bush for his "intuitive understanding" of the importance of cybersecurity.

It is getting pretty bad out there among the partisan press.

9 posted on 03/23/2004 3:06:14 PM PST by chapman55k
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To: Pukin Dog

10 posted on 03/23/2004 3:06:18 PM PST by Ragirl (Vote in '04 ! Those who sit on their hands end up with poop on them.)
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To: Pukin Dog
Bump! I knew it. this guy is right up Kerry's alley.


http://W-04.com

11 posted on 03/23/2004 3:06:36 PM PST by W04Man (Bush2004 Grassroots Campaign visit W-04.com for FREE STICKERS)
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To: Pukin Dog
Mr. Kerry through Mr. Beers to Mr. Clark, "play ball with us and there is a great job in my adm. for you if I am elected." End of story.!!
12 posted on 03/23/2004 3:06:37 PM PST by woodyinscc
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To: Old Sarge
Over here, dude. This might help your mood.
13 posted on 03/23/2004 3:07:14 PM PST by Pukin Dog (Sans Reproache)
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To: Pukin Dog
"But the letter contains no praise of Bush's anti-terror actions before or after the attacks — only on the day of. Clarke does commend Bush for his "intuitive understanding" of the importance of cybersecurity."

Oh please! Did the guy write a SINGLE criticizing memo on ANY subject in the 24 months between September 11 and when he left?? How about before September 11 complaining about inaction?? Well?

14 posted on 03/23/2004 3:07:34 PM PST by Williams
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To: Pukin Dog
guess the book deal hadn't been offered at the time he tendered his resignation...
15 posted on 03/23/2004 3:07:50 PM PST by ambrose ("I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it" - John F. al-Query)
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To: Pukin Dog
Book sales! Book sales! Book sales!
16 posted on 03/23/2004 3:08:05 PM PST by Tempest (Don't blame me, I'm voting for Bush.)
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To: Williams
The Democrat cookies just fell in the dirt. The reporter is trying to clean one up so they can eat.
17 posted on 03/23/2004 3:08:37 PM PST by Pukin Dog (Sans Reproache)
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To: Pukin Dog
Oh man, this is great.
18 posted on 03/23/2004 3:09:09 PM PST by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet ("Lashing out" at Democrats since 1990.)
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To: TJC
Yep, that's the problem!
19 posted on 03/23/2004 3:11:02 PM PST by StayoutdaBushesWay
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To: Pukin Dog
I think the show the President has done a lousy job in fighting the war on terror strategy is coming apart at the seams. Its so funny they are strengthening Bush every time they take this approach.

Better stick with the economy or throwing the elderly out on the street.
20 posted on 03/23/2004 3:11:03 PM PST by microgood
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