Clarke told reporters different story in 2002 background briefing (CNN)

CNN ^ | 3/24/04 | John King & Dana Bash

[finnman69]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In August 2002, then-White House counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke told reporters that the Bush administration -- from day one -- told him to "vigorously pursue" the Clinton administration policy that allowed the United States to kill Osama bin Laden if the opportunity arose.

[Wolfstar]

Re my #77, I was being sarcastic. Several FReepers on the thread seemed excited that CNN and AP had carried stories of Clarke's — ahem — credibility problems. I was pointing out that most people get what little news they consume from the so-called mainstream media, their local news channels, late-night comedy shows, and the like. I have zero faith that any of those news outlets will tell the truth about Clarke. I am one of the harshest FR critics of the media, with good reason since I was one of them earlier in my career.

[Recovering_Democrat]

hOLY MOLEY. I didn't think any partisan press outlet would run this story. ...still waiting for Dan Rather to find time for it...

[Milligan]

It's like a mystery novel.

[LucyJo]

"Did you all know that our FR Kristenn went outside the Commissioners meeting during lunch break and passed out copies of the Fox "interview"?"

((((Kristenn)))) Truth Angel!!!

[Swanks]

I don't understand Kerrey lashing out at FNC today.

Easy. Fox ruined the party. It was a double play. Blew Clarke out of the water as a credible witness. And took the air out of Kerry's (percieved) hero status (and possible return to public life and once again feeding from the public trough)

[hoosiermama]

There's been alot of those flying pigs sighted today.....All over the country!

[kennedy]

In 1999 his sole accomplishment was winning the "Friends of the Public Garden's "Henry Lee Award" for efforts to preserve Boston's green spaces."

[prairiebreeze]

Even more disturbing than Clarke's perfidy, is that today we witnessed on national TV a US Senator rail against Fox News with near-slanderous remarks for bringing this information forth.

We witnessed a US Senator more interested in discrediting this report than investigating its challenges to the credibility of a prime witness in the official investigation of the worst attack on American soil in history.

We witnessed the willingness of the left to do or say anything at any time in order to try to preserve the illusions that surround their true agenda.

Too bad CNN doesnt mention Senator Bob Kerrey from Nebraska.

Prairie

[hoosiermama]

Wonder if Fox will sue or if Kerry will apologize? Kerry better watch who he's choosing as an enemy!

[doug from upland]

How could CNN screw up so badly and report this? :)

[StarFan]

Well well, now CNN plays cya. Perhaps it had more to do with statements Clarke made to Time Magazine which CNN prominently displayed on their website in 2002. In the article, Clarke stated:

The Bush Administration chose to institute its own "policy review process" on the terrorist threat. Clarke told TIME that the review moved "as fast as could be expected." And Administration officials insist that by the time the review was endorsed by the Bush principals on Sept. 4, it was more aggressive than anything contemplated the previous winter. The final plan, they say, was designed not to "roll back" al-Qaeda but to "eliminate" it...."

He's made similar statements in the WH press briefing which Angle revealed and now I learned also in August when he appeared before the commission. I wonder if this man was under oath when he appeared in August. If so, than the commission should take steps to charge him with perjury.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Thanks for the sanity ping!

It is certainly pathetic that with all of the information provided to this commission from government officials, private,public institutions and private citizens, they had to rely on Clark, a now proved liar to point blame at the one man in authority who has actually DONE something about terrorism - President Bush.

The glimmer of hope: where is O'Neal now? The left abandon him, too. Hope Clark enjoys the Judas money he received from CBS/VIACOM/Simon Schuster, too.

[cyncooper]

CNN is trying to make it look like a hit from the White House when it is actually Fox getting the story straight.

No, it's pretty clear from the story:

The White House waived that restriction after Fox News pointed out Clarke's remarks, McClellan said Wednesday.

[Mo1]

We witnessed a US Senator more interested in discrediting this report than investigating its challenges to the credibility of a prime witness in the official investigation of the worst attack on American soil in history.

We witnessed the willingness of the left to do or say anything at any time in order to try to preserve the illusions that surround their true agenda.

Too bad CNN doesnt mention Senator Bob Kerrey from Nebraska.

EXACTLY!!!

[LibLieSlayer]

I just heard the wife of a slain Fireman on ABC Radio News (may have been Policeman) state that if today's hearing is an indication of what kind of report that the committee will publish, it will not be THE report the American people deserve! She was livid.

The TRUTH is being told, and you naysayers need to believe that right is on our side. We are winning this war, and it is a WAR!

LLS

[Dolphy]

Easy. Fox ruined the party. It was a double play.

I don't think that's consistent with Kerrey's demeanor during the questioning I have seen. He's asked a lot of good questions (including previous sessions). Of course that doesn't mean he didn't resort to his partisan defenses when he felt his own being attacked.

[cyncooper]

And guess what..............CNN and MSNBC are reading from an EMAIL that Clarke send to Condi Rice a few days AFTER 9-11.....and it also contradicts his book!

I just got back after having to be out. More refutation, eh?

Had a chance to hear a bit of Medved and he said that he had expected the brouhaha over Clarke to last two weeks max, but that today he was completely exposed as a liar and it only took two days. Yup.

[HarryCaul]

I wonder why the media is piling on him now? It's weird, not like it's normal operating procedure for them. He must have pissed em off somehow.

[hoosiermama]

PERJURYwas posted quite often during Clarke's testimony on the live thread today!

But will anyone have the guts to carry through with it.....Maybe Clarke's book sales will pay his legal fees.

[OldFriend]

The democrats and their cohorts in the media have declared war on America.

Pray and then pray some more.