White House Wavers On Condi

CBS News ^ | March 29, 2004

[RWR8189]

(CBS/AP) Late Monday afternoon, White House officials were considering an about face on whether to bow to demands from the 9/11 commission to have National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testify in public and under oath, reports Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts.

Roberts tells CBSNews.com the change in policy is being discussed at the highest levels in the White House. Rice reportedly believes that it might be positive for her to appear. But President Bush makes the final decision, and is thus far against it, says Roberts.

The White House is under enormous political and public pressure to waive its claim of so-called "executive privilege." President Bush has vigorously defended his right to receive advice from aides without the threat it will be aired in public.

"I think the White House is making a very serious political mistake. In fact, I think they have made a long-term series of mistakes in the way they have handled this commission,'' said member John Lehman.

In a 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, Rice cast herself as ready to testify but restrained by the principle of executive privilege.

"Nothing would be better from my point of view, than to be able to testify. I would really like to do that. But there's an important principle involved here,'' Rice said "It is a long-standing principle that sitting National Security Advisors do not testify before the Congress."

But after the parade of current and former officials that have gone before the commission, Rice's absence, say former White House officials, is playing as a negative -- creating the perception that she has something to hide.

"The longer they refuse to have her testify in public the more suspicion they bring. And frankly the more they string this story out,'' said former White House advisor David Gergen.

The White House also faces charges of hypocrisy -- claiming executive privilege -- at the same time it made public confidential e-mails and transcripts of background briefings to discredit chief critic Richard Clarke.

Add to that Rice's recent blitz of the public airwaves to state her case -- while stonewalling the commission -- and it appears to some that the White House has badly stumbled.

"They're in a hole. First rule of holes is stop digging. Come on out. Just deal with it. The country will welcome her testimony and I frankly think she can bring the country with her. She's very persuasive,'' says Gergen.

Former National Security officials -- who themselves fought to preserve executive privilege -- say Rice probably now has no choice. That her recent TV appearances have completely undercut her case for a private session with the commission.

[Hardastarboard]

Sure - right after Hillary testifies.

[teletech]

Stick to your guns Mr. President! Tell them to take a hike!

[zarf]

Condi should testify. She should adamantly refuse to apologize stating that the only thing this government owes the American Pimples is a righteous anger directed at the Islamofascists.

Then tell the Dems to jam their sickening apologies up their pie hole.

[oceanview]

I still say she will have to testify. the white house has ZERO allies on the committee. I have never seen a weaker group of Republicans, lead by Kean.

[ShadowDancer]

Stick to your guns Mr. President! Tell them to take a hike!

Why?

[oceanview]

and when she does testify, if they get personal with her, she should go into Clarence Thomas mode - "a high tech lynching" of a black woman.

[kellynla]

If I were W, I wouldn't budge.
There is no reason for Rice to testify in public other than for the 'Rats to preen in front of the television cameras. The 'Rats on the commission have already politicized the 9/11 investigation. They had over four hours to ask Rice all the questions they wanted to ask.

[oceanview]

well, on principle, she is right not to testify in public.

politically, its another story.

[BikerNYC]

I tend to agree. What would be the downside if she testified?

[sarasmom]

SeeBS!
They wish but
I dont think so!

[Quicksilver]

They want Condi to warm the chair while they preen. No thanks.

[boomop1]

F this witch hunting, biased Bush blaming bunch of klintonistists they are losing big time they ought to cut their loses and adjourn. Put their report out so we can puke on it, no one will take any of this sh** with a grain of salt. We know who is concerned with protecting our country and it sure isn't this bunch. Besides if she is forced to testify it will back fire big time and they will get slam dunked.

[dwilli]

That would be true if she had stayed off every news
show on the tube.

[Petronski]

About face? Or the coup de grace in a rope-a-dope?

[Stellar Dendrite]

i thought this too when i read the story!

[Cedric]

Where's the evidence or official statement which indicates that the White House is "wavering"?

[ShadowDancer]

On principle, all political factions should be accountable. Period. This should not exclude Republicans.

[Cosmo]

Anyone else hear Brit Hume report tonight that CBS omitted several of Condi's refutations of Clarke during her 60 minutes interview? One pertained to Bush 's 46 meetings with Tenet regarding terrorism.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Icewater will be served in Hell before this WH takes the advice of David Gergen.