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.

[shield]

He appears to be hiding his true colors. FEC has records of his donations to the RATS only, not one republican.

[ladyinred]

The media would totally crucify the Pubbies if they attempted to prosecute that liar! Better to just implode the sucker by exposing his lies all over the place!

[Jodi]

I thought Clarke wasn't working for Mr. Heinz. I wonder why Mr. Heinz is sticking up for him?

[Peach]

I'd have been startled too. Glad you pointed it out to me so I don't do it on another thread!

[pushforbush]

This is an elaborate game of "chicken" by Kerry. He thinks that the Republicans will get scared and "swerve" at the last minute. He may be counting on the Republicans to lose their nerve, and he hasn't bothered to assess who wins if the don't. In a protracted fight between Clark and Condoleeza for the hearts and minds of the voters, my bet is on Condoleeza!

[mylife]

No.. I was mulling a thought in public. and perhaps NOW is not the time to be prosecuting this doofus.

The statute of limitations wont have run out by Nov.

I was just publically wondering how takeing a the prosecutors role during an election cycle would play.

[NYCVirago]

Richard Clarke is not a Democrat.

Sez who? He's only donated money to Democrats, and admits to voting in a Republican primary exactly once in his life -- for John McCain!

[altura]

I told you people to just wait for Kerry to get off the slopes and he would start helping us again.

I wonder how long before his advisors suggest another nice long vacation.

[EternalHope]

We have to throw Condi at 60 Minutes Sunday night, and then we have to roll over and let this slide. A prosecution will wave this in the air for the whole campaign, and this week's Rasmussen numbers makes it clear this is not a winning issue. Kerry's pollsters have told him this, and he'd love to have Clarke a prominent issue all campaign long. We have to get this off the radar screen ASAP.

Disagree. The Clarke attack is actually a GREAT opportunity to keep the focus on which candidate is the toughest on terror.

The only way the Clarke attack can hurt us if it can somehow be translated into a public perception that George Bush is weaker on terror than John Kerry. That simply ain't gonna happen.

NO ONE, not even the most rabid Dem, believes John Kerry would ever be as tough on terror as George Bush.

[mathluv]

Does he think W would not do that?

[Ingtar]

Besides, where would the Republicans find a friendly judge in DC?

[LibLieSlayer]

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'?!

LLS

[IPWGOP]

If they find out Clarke did indeed lie under oath, I think this is where they'll find Clarke hiding:

[ladyinred]

There he goes again, playing both sides!!! Covering all bases!!!

Kerry never met a liar he didn't like or tried to emulate. He is an arrogant jerk isn't he?

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: "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.

Gad! GAD! GADDDDD!!!

Mark this one the seat of my Levis with a branding iron!

Gad, I cannot believe I actually agree with John eFing Kerry.

Quick, has Hell frozen over?

[sinkspur]

No need to prosecute, now. Just release the declassified info, and paint it for what it is.

Make Clarke the issue, not Bush. Clarke doesn't have the personal integrity to withstand a wholesale barrage of GOP ads and press releases.

[sport]

I would take him up on it.

[mathluv]

Frist was on the Senate floor, asking that the committee hearings be declassified.

[jwalsh07]

I was just getting ready to say what you did in 55.

It's not either or. Clarke should have LIAR tatooed on his forehead and no prosecution should ensue.

But it wouldn't hurt to tie his Dem defenders like Daschle, Pelosi, McCauliffe and that big disappointment Kerrey to his sins.

As a rule, whenever Dems cry foul, it is time to pour fuel on the fire.