Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Pals: No 'Wag' on Bill's watch
New York Daily News ^ | 3/24/04 | RICHARD SISK

Posted on 03/24/2004 1:29:12 AM PST by 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



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 1998; 911commission; afghanistan; albright; impeachedx42; iraq; wagthedog; williamcohen; x42
"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.

1 posted on 03/24/2004 1:29:13 AM PST by kattracks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: kattracks
...hahahacoughcoughbulls**tcoughcough...
2 posted on 03/24/2004 1:39:55 AM PST by RichInOC (How can you tell if a Clintonite is lying? Check to see if they're still breathing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
"Saddam Hussein expelled UN weapons inspectors"

What?

3 posted on 03/24/2004 1:45:28 AM PST by endthematrix (To enter my lane you must use your turn signal!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 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.

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...

4 posted on 03/24/2004 1:51:27 AM PST by Prime Choice (Hm? No, my powers can only be used for Good.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks

NOPE, NUTHIN' WAGGIN' HERE...

5 posted on 03/24/2004 2:21:48 AM PST by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
How would she know? Clinton hadn't had any cabinet meetings since forever... during that time period.
6 posted on 03/24/2004 2:30:26 AM PST by ikka
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Oh, thank God! I was becoming so cynical about former President Clinton....
7 posted on 03/24/2004 2:41:27 AM PST by Grut
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 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."


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.
8 posted on 03/24/2004 2:48:45 AM PST by Just mythoughts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Just mythoughts
He was also a Republican prior to his connection with Clinton,
as they love to tell that Clarke is.
9 posted on 03/24/2004 3:24:46 AM PST by CMailBag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: CMailBag
"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.
10 posted on 03/24/2004 3:37:20 AM PST by Just mythoughts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
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.
11 posted on 03/24/2004 3:47:37 AM PST by pawdoggie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
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.
12 posted on 03/24/2004 4:13:37 AM PST by OldFriend (Always understand, even if you remain among the few)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
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.
13 posted on 03/24/2004 4:14:04 AM PST by Bringbackthedraft (SPIT ON NAM VETS AGAIN, VOTE KERRY! LEARN FRENCH, WAVE A WHITE FLAG)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend
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.
14 posted on 03/24/2004 4:19:20 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend
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.
15 posted on 03/24/2004 4:21:45 AM PST by kattracks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Bringbackthedraft
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.
16 posted on 03/24/2004 4:22:47 AM PST by OldFriend (Always understand, even if you remain among the few)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: kattracks


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


17 posted on 03/24/2004 4:35:13 AM PST by Diogenesis (If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla
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.
18 posted on 03/24/2004 4:37:07 AM PST by sport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: sport
Well, I hope someone asks. It'd be fun to watch Janus-face try to talk himself out of that one.
19 posted on 03/24/2004 4:42:24 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla
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.
20 posted on 03/24/2004 5:10:07 AM PST by meenie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson