[Spotsy]

Actually, cynic that I am, I believe the book deal was a bribe by another name — a bribe to induce him to damage the Bush admin to coincide both with these hearing and the upcoming election. A disgruntled former employee with a huge ego is a perfect target for a bribe — er, a book deal.

Someone needs to check out whether Clarke's standard of living has improved significantly - just how much did he get in this book deal?

[Loyal Buckeye]

Bush didn't respond to the Cole attack because it was on the Clinton watch.

[gipper81]

Someone needs to check out whether Clarke's standard of living has improved significantly - just how much did he get in this book deal?

Interesting. 'Book deal' used to be a bad term back in the 90s when Newt and others got theirs. Maybe the term can stage a comeback?

[piasa]

Someone needs to check out whether Clarke's standard of living has improved significantly - just how much did he get in this book deal?

Maybe in addition to the cash, he has a jaguar in his driveway like the former Ambassador to Gabon, Joe Wilson...

Now I wonder- was Wilson really the mysterious T J Wilkinson or is Clarke T J Wilkinson?