[TheSpottedOwl]

You can be well educated and articulate, and still speak plain if you wish. His choice of words allow wiggle room in case this blows up in their faces. They can claim plausible denial this way.

Ashcroft isn't winning any fans up here in the peanut gallery...

[Dolphy]

You can be well educated and articulate, and still speak plain if you wish

That was my point, he didn't wish to be less obtuse. My theory is that terrorists and ANSWER types share an anti-American agenda and the absence of evidence of collaboration does not necessarily mean an absence mutual interests.