Pals: No 'Wag' on Bill's watch

New York Daily News ^ | 3/24/04 | RICHARD SISK

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON - Two former cabinet members denied yesterday that former President Bill Clinton's attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq in 1998 were "Wag the Dog" distractions from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"Under no circumstances did President Clinton ever call upon the military and use that military in order to serve a political purpose," said former Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Madeleine Albright, who was Secretary of State when the cruise missiles were launched at Afghanistan and Iraq, said the attacks were based solely on "actionable intelligence. I believe we acted appropriately."

In testimony before the 9/11 commission, Albright said the actions were not influenced by what her questioner, former Navy Secretary John Lehman, delicately referred to as Clinton's "problems."

The "Wag the Dog" theory, based on the movie about a President drumming up a phony war to distract from his infidelities, was addressed most forcefully by Cohen.

Clinton ordered the attack on Afghanistan in August 1998, after U.S. Embassies in Africa were bombed. The retaliatory attack coincided with Clinton's admission to the affair with Lewinsky.

Iraq was struck in December 1998 when then-dictator Saddam Hussein expelled UN weapons inspectors. Those missiles were launched as the House was beginning impeachment proceedings against Clinton.

After the December attack, Cohen said he was called by then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who believed the action "had to be politically inspired."

Cohen said he went before a closed session of the House to state that Clinton never used the military "to serve his personal ends. He never called upon us to do that."

Clinton acted "specifically upon the recommendation of those of us who held the positions of responsibility to take military action," Cohen said.

Originally published on March 24, 2004

[kattracks]

"Under no circumstances did President Clinton ever call upon the military and use that military in order to serve a political purpose," said former Defense Secretary William Cohen.

It was just coincidental that these attacks happened just in time to replace clinton's " "problems" in the headlines.

[RichInOC]

...hahahacoughcoughbulls**tcoughcough...

[endthematrix]

"Saddam Hussein expelled UN weapons inspectors"

What?

[Prime Choice]

"Under no circumstances did President Clinton ever call upon the military and use that military in order to serve a political purpose," said former Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Riiiight. And we're supposed to believe lobbing a few cruise missiles at Iraq was "sending a message" while Bush's actually taking out Hussein is a "diversion."

Funny how Clinton's buddies get all sorts of ink when the fit hits the shan...

[Caipirabob]

NOPE, NUTHIN' WAGGIN' HERE...

[ikka]

How would she know? Clinton hadn't had any cabinet meetings since forever... during that time period.

[Grut]

Oh, thank God! I was becoming so cynical about former President Clinton....

[Just mythoughts]

""Under no circumstances did President Clinton ever call upon the military and use that military in order to serve a political purpose," said former Defense Secretary William Cohen."

"It was just coincidental that these attacks happened just in time to replace clinton's " "problems" in the headlines."


Bill Cohen of "sack of sugar"/anthrax fame was a hoot. There was a few times when he looked as though he was ready to cry. He was a joke as Defense Secretary and knows it, still covering the "tail" after all these years.

[CMailBag]

He was also a Republican prior to his connection with Clinton,
as they love to tell that Clarke is.

[Just mythoughts]

"He was also a Republican prior to his connection with Clinton, as they love to tell that Clarke is."


"IN name only", Cohen was a northeastern moderate (liberal) who supported liberal ideas far more than "Republican" ideas. Cohen has no backbone, except for looking out for himself.

Cohen was Defense Secretary while the lying crooked liberals did all they could to prevent the military across the world their "right" to vote, in that election of 2000. Cohen crawled into bed with these lying crooked liberals and no way he can wash the filth he ignored and partook of off himself, even if he was "registered" Republican.

Cohen like Clarke obviously are 'liberal' minded self-serving first, creatures, and have no credibility for positions of authority. They are sell outs for personal gain.

[pawdoggie]

No one is silly enough to believe that Clinton put his arm around Cohen and said,"Bill, I got a little girl trouble here, and you gotta help me out". That's not how it works "inside the Beltway". No doubt Clinton had a moment of inspiration (informed by that great consultant and seer, Dick Clarke) that it was a propitious moment to attack actual or suspected Al-Qaeda aspirin factories. That the timing seemed to correspond to Monica Lewinsky's testimony was purely circumstantial.

[OldFriend]

Even tho General Shelton was a clinton butt boy I doubt he would state under oath that the administration NEVER used military force or attempted to use military force for political purposes.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Am I the only one who felt that Albright was totally prepped for this? It sounded like she was reading her answers from a script.

[mewzilla]

Judge Napolitano had an interesting question for the commission this morning on FNC: Why, when Allbright and Cohen were trying to explain why they couldn't bag Binnie, didn't anyone mention the executive order that Toon signed (later rescinded by 43) that prohibitted assassination? Inquiring minds want to know. I'd also like to know when and why Toon signed it in the first place. And if John Kerry would sign another if elected.

[kattracks]

There may have been some people who were out of the loop on this. Just told something had to be done about Osama, and now was the time.

[OldFriend]

Obviously everyone was prepared for the questions. Didn't help Albright or Cohen one bit! Altho I felt that Cohen at least had the advantage of some intelligence. That cannot be said of Albright.

[Diogenesis]

---

"Wow. I don't even need Hill's stolen FBI files to control her."

[sport]

Also why doesn't someone bring up the executive order clinton issued forbidding the FBI and CIA from exchanging information.

And in answer to your last question. In a heartbeat.

john kerry, should he be elected President will take this Nation to places where bill clinton could only dream of, in terms of degeneracy, perversion, and socialism.

[mewzilla]

Well, I hope someone asks. It'd be fun to watch Janus-face try to talk himself out of that one.

[meenie]

The thought that you will take out someone with a missile attack is ridiculous. Bin could have been going to the latrine instead of setting in the mess hall eating breakfast.