Kerry challenges Bush to prosecute Clarke if former anti-terrorism advisor lied - CBS

Yahoo! News ^ | 3/26/04 | AFP/Staff

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

NEW YORK (AFP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry challenged President George W. Bush) to prosecute former national security aide Richard Clarke if they can show that he lied about terrorism policy.

"My challenge to the Bush administration would be, if (Clarke) is not believable and they have reason to show it, then prosecute him for perjury because he is under oath, Kerry told CBS's MarketWatch.

"They have a perfect right to do that," said Kerry.

Republicans in Congress want to declassify testimony Clarke gave before Congress in 2002 that they claim is at odds with accounts critical of the administration in the aide's recently published book.

Clarke, a counter-terrorism advisor to three presidents, published a book this week entitled "Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror," in which he claims the Bush administration failed to heed warnings of the September 11, 2001 attacks and then focused its attention on Saddam Hussein) rather than al-Qaeda.

He repeated the allegations under oath in testimony before a congressional committee.

The charges prompted an aggressive response from the White House, amid apparent concerns that they could undermine the president's re-election bid in November.

[cyncooper]

A lot of people here are assuming that a Clarke prosecution would be bad for the (D)s. I'm not so sure. I suppose everyone is assuming that he would be prosecuted for lying before Congress in last week's testimony by comparing it with 2002's testimony.

I'm not so sure it wouldn't be the other way around.

Let's see, every bit of documentation and evidence supports what Clarke was saying in earlier years. There is nothing to factually support his latest claims.

I'll use common sense and my brain and state I am 100% positive it is his latest testimony that is false.

But you just click your heels together three times and make a wish and maybe up will be down and down will be up. But I don't think so.

LOL

[SuziQ]

If I were the White House, I would make the point that John Kerry needs to read his Constitution so that he knows the parameters of the power of the office he is seeking.

That would be schweet!

[NYCVirago]

So there is no evidence I've seen to mistrust his claim to be a lifelong Republican.

How many "lifelong Republicans" say that we need to understand why the terrorists hate us, like Clarke has said?

[Atchafalaya]

TARBABY!

[cookcounty]

ASHCROFT: "At the solemn request and urging of Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Justice Department has decided to seek an indictment against Richard Clarke for perjury and malfeasance of duty. We thank the honorable Senator for his support and initiative in this matter."

[cyncooper]

I personally think Clarke is an American hero. He is one of the few people in power to really try to do something about the al Qaeda threat. Both the Dems AND the Pubs come off very badly here.

Listening to the press, eh, and not reading up on the facts?

Search for the thread on Christopher Shays to see how valuable Clarke appeared to him regarding threats.

Read up on how the Bush administration perceived that Clarke's suggestions, such as they were, did not go far enough.

And finally, why would you call a liar a "hero"?

[cyncooper]

Have you ever seen a person more arrogant than Clarke was on TV? I can't wipe his cocky looking face out of my mind, and also his speaking made me want to reach in my TV screen and slap the hell out of him.

He smacks his lips.

ick

[pepsionice]

My suggestion...once GW wins in November...offer a full amnesty to Mr. Clarke for any lies to the federal govenment. That would probably kill off any future jobs for Clarke for the rest of his life. Wouldn't matter if he was prosecuted or not...GW would just cover the bases.

[torchthemummy]

"I'm starting to lose it over this election and it's only March. I can't take another six months of The Kerry Treatment."

Oh we Viet Nam veterans are just getting started with Ketchup.

By November, if Kerry is still the candidate, the incoming will be so hot he'll think he's back in Nam! :-]

Viet Nam Veterans Against John Kerry


Thanks for the positive angle and God Bless you and all others on this board who have served (and of course those in the heat of battle as we speak)!

[demlosers]

Bump for later read.

[demlosers]

According to FoxNews anchor Jim Angle; it is the Executive Branch (read White House) that holds the sole power to declassify these testimonies. Can you smell what the ROVE is cookin'?!

Correct. The President is the only office that can declassify ANY government record.

[shield]

In a front-page Washington Post profile, Clarke is quoted as
identifying himself as a ``registered Republican,'' and he was
not popular in the Clinton Administration.

[cyncooper]

OK, thanks shield. Well, I don't believe him! LOL

He's a documented liar and has the likes of Sid Blumenthal vouching for him.

Thanks for where he said that, though.

[shield]

OK, thanks shield. Well, I don't believe him! LOL

He's a documented liar and has the likes of Sid Blumenthal vouching for him.

I agree....a documented LAIR...who can believe him. He's been setting this up for a while...along with his buddy, Rand Beers.

[international american]

BUMP

[Falcon4.0]

I smell a setup. It doesn't matter if Clarke lied or not, the rats will scream...

"Abuse of POWER"
"WORSE than NIXON!"
"He MUST be IMPEACHED!"

BELIEVE IT!