Gorelick-gate: 9/11 Commission Rocked by Scandal

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/14/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks may be about to implode amidst partisan recriminations and charges of conflict of interest, with the chairman House Judiciary Committee calling on one of the panel's leading members to resign.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., demanded on Wednesday that former Clinton administration deputy attorney general Jamie Gorelick resign from the investigation, charging that she "has an inherent conflict of interest as the author of this memo and as a government official at the center of the events in question."

The Gorelick memo, issued under the authority of the Justice Department in 1995, was blamed by Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday for hampering the ability of the FBI and CIA to cooperate in terrorist investigations.

Other aspects of Gorelick's tenure suggest more conflicts, such as questions about what role, if any, she played in advising President Clinton that there was no legal basis to extradite Osama bin Laden to the U.S. when he was offered by Sudan in 1996.

Another problem: Gorelick's lawfirm represents Saudi Prince Mohammed al Faisal, a potential defendant in the litigation being brought by the 9/11 families. A finding by the Commission that 9/11 was preventable could take some of the heat off of Gorelick's Saudi clients.

Commission Chairman Tom Kean, however, dismissed suggestions that Gorelick was unfit to serve on Wednesday, complaining that Sensenbrenner and other Commission critics should "stay out of our business."

Gorelick apparently enjoys a special relationship with Kean. She boasted last week that she was the only other commissioner besides Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton who had access to every one of the presidential daily briefings.

Gorelick's public conduct in recent days has only exacerbated perceptions of impropriety.

Last Thursday, when asked whether the Commission's finding would impact on the presidential election, Gorelick told MSNBC "Hardball" host Chris Matthews, "[The report] will raise some very fundamental issues."

Minutes later, Gorelick beamed as Matthews referred to her as a "former deputy attorney general [who] may well be attorney general again."

[alaskanfan]

I can only imagine the outrage that would be coming from the left if she were a conservative.

[b9]

Maybe this will finally wipe that insipid smirk off Gorelick's face.

[Smartass]

GORELICK, THE EARLY YEARS

[EGPWS]

I can only imagine the outrage that would be coming from the left if she were a conservative.

If it were to be brought out "in spades" by the mainstream press (fat chance) that there IS a conflict it would be Dubya's fault!

[tbeatty]

We already have it. Apparently Duck Hunting has more in common with Halliburton than the Deputy Attorney General Gorelicks memo has with the Justice Department.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Bush had to have known this about her from the beginning. Hehehe. Let's start asking some questions about the Clinton years. Let's talk about China and North Korea. Let talk about "Oil for Food". Let's talk about Marc Rich. Uh oh, Billy's made a miscalculation....

[EGPWS]

Commission Chairman Tom Kean, however, dismissed suggestions that Gorelick was unfit to serve on Wednesday, complaining that Sensenbrenner and other Commission critics should "stay out of our business."

Perhaps Mr. Kean should put more focus on her fitness for service Thursday through Tuesday!

[america-rules]

What's SICK is that if she was a GOPer the press would be running with the memo like it was WWIII !

[nutmeg]

bttt

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Even better, to top it off it came from John Ascroft, the only other Republican the Dems hate as much as Bush. It's too good. Warning: DO NOT PLAY POKER WITH GWB.

[Tall_Texan]

If she had been named "Cheneylick" and worked in the Bush administration would the media even attempt to portray her as objective?

[EGPWS]

What's SICK is that if she was a GOPer the press would be running with the memo like it was WWIII !

Sadly enough we are and they aren't.

[stocksthatgoup]

stay out of our business." Talk about balls.........I thought this commission was to represent the American People.

[EGPWS]

.........I thought this commission was to represent the American People.

There ya go thinkin' again! Don't you know when we do such a thing that it can only lead to frustration in Washington?

Relax, take your direction, and just listen and like good little sheeple we will be content and happy in the long run. /sarcasm

Jeepers, if I had the gumption to do such a thing, why I could run for office..on the liberal side of the isle. /fat chance

[Sapper26]

Find out if she owns any Haliburton stock. If she does, the left will demand her head.

[alaskanfan]

Are you kidding?

The Clinton administration was getting a kick back from the U.N. from the oil for taxpayer money program.

[ThomasPaine2000]

I don't know about any Haliburton stock, but she is on the board of Schlumberger, the #2 in their business.

[CyberAnt]

#1 - "Commission Chairman Tom Kean, however, dismissed suggestions that Gorelick was unfit to serve on Wednesday, complaining that Sensenbrenner and other Commission critics should 'stay out of our business'."

This is the main problem. THE DEMOCRATS ARE AT WAR WITH THE REPUBLICANS - but the repubs are not on a "war footing".

#2 - "Gorelick apparently enjoys a special relationship with Kean. She boasted last week that she was the only other commissioner besides Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton who had access to every one of the presidential daily briefings."

WHY IS THIS WOMAN ALLOWED SPECIAL ACCESS THAT NONE OF THE OTHERS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE - THIS IS MORE THAN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST - THIS IS OUTRAGEOUSLY DISGUSTING! Being a former AG is not enough explanation for me.

#3 - "Gorelick beamed as Matthews referred to her as a 'former deputy attorney general [who] may well be attorney general again'"

SO THIS IS WHAT HILLARY PROMISED JAMIE - IF SHE WOULD DO THIS DIRTY JOB AND TAKE DOWN BUSH - I'M SO MAD I'M READY TO SPIT NAILS.

This commission is a JOKE and I for one will not trust any "fundamental issues" they raise. If they even dare to imply that President Bush "knew" I'll tell you - the dems have never seen landslide like they're going to see in November.

Believe you me .. Commissioner Kean is going to hear from me.