Live 9/11 Commission Thread [testifying today Freeh, Reno, Ashcroft]

April 13, 2004 | Vanity

[Peach]

9/11 Commission. Now on C-Span.

Chairman Thomas Kean has asked the audience to refrain from clapping.

Louie Freeh, former FBI director, up at 9:30.

Business matters being taken care of now by the Commission.

[Jewels1091]

Wow...they had to have stacked the group with democrats...if it was that bad, i would love to see it!!! If the group got that mad, wouldn't it be great if it made it's way to TV anyway by 'accident'?

[Howlin]

Some outside DNC group had an ad they took to a focus group in Florida, slamming Bush for 9-11.

It was so outside the realm of reality and so over the line in the Bush bashing that the independents in the group went over to Bush's side. I believe they even used the expression "went screaming from the room."

I, for one, hope they use that ad. :-)

[epluribus_2]

I personally can't wait for the hearings to discuss what went wrong that led to North Korea having several nukes starting - 5 - years ago... when all the time we presumed that they were complying with that masterpiece of a deal the Toon Team put together. And how W and his folks had to deal with it. I wanna hear Ashcroft, Rice, AND Reno, Freeh, Carter, and BentLeft. Let BinVeniste ask questions too, for humour.

[Howlin]

When someone on here called the commission this morning to complain about Gorelick, whoever answered the phone said for them to call the White House as they appointed her; they did not.

[zook]

A couple days ago on CNN I caught the end of a Move On ad that essentially had the same message as the ad you describe. At the time I thought to myself that this can't possibly help Kerry.

[jwalsh07]

The Church Committee recommendations better known as the neutering of American Intel.

[hobson]

I saw that too! I believe he mentioned that the focus group was in Florida but the source that characterized the reaction was from the LATIMES. ?? The source also said the ad drove people away from "our side".

[Frank_Discussion]

Ah, that is heinous. I'll pass it around.

[mombonn]

Just turned it on, and right back off - I can't BEAR ben-barfiste. Will catch up on the thread, turn it back on after he's through.

[jackbill]

I wonder if Gorelick will grill Reno as much as she did Condi. I doubt though. Most likely she will give her a pass

One of the liberal rags said this morning that Gore-lick would not be questioning Reno. It didn't say whether it was her decision or a decision of the chairman or vice-chairman.

[Guenevere]

Well, Freeh just had the golden opportunity to say it was a failure of the Clinton administration......

..but he didn't!

[cyncooper]

Asking about knowledge about use of planes used as weapons. Did it come up during '96 Olympics.

Freeh: Yes, inter-governmental planning sessions.

BV: It was well known in the intelligence community that that was a threat. Did it come up during the 6 months you served under Bush. Did it come up for planning G-8?

Freeh: He doesn not know--was not involved.

BV proceeds to say they've learned it had. Nevermind Freeh cannot affirm that information, so he gets it on the air (and media will act like that was testimony) though Freeh did not testify to it.

BV: Suicide pilots considered a threat? Did domestic security plan how to address?

Freeh: Not aware that it did.

Bv: Failure of Clinton adm? Failure of Bush adm?

Freeh: Doesn't know he'd characterize it as a failure of either.

Freeh: Not aware of anyone contemplating the use of hijacked commercial airliners being used to crash into sites.

[TomGuy]

Some outside DNC group had an ad they took to a focus group in Florida, slamming Bush for 9-11.

I wonder whether the ad was developed by the MoveOn.org people who supposedly have been hired to replace the GMMB ad agency who quit the Kerry campaign.

[PISANO]

Anyone picking up on Benny Boy's deft use of his time to TESTIFY by asking questions of Freeh that he KNOWS he can't answer. He is a master.

[cyncooper]

Gorelick will not be questioning Freeh or Reno!

She's announcing it now.

Thank God for small favors.

[Peach]

Gorelick has recused herself from questioning Freeh and Reno.

[epluribus_2]

...no further questions, your honor (smugly)

[mathluv]

Gorelick is saying she will recuse herself from Reno and Freeh.

[Mo1]

The focus group were so offended by the ad that they almost attacked the campaign members. Brit didn't give a published reference, but that would be an interesting read.

Yes it would .. if you fine anything could you ping me?

[hobbes1]

But not Ashcroft.