Dan and Burkett Transcript

http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/001381.html ^ | Dan Rather

[unsycophant]

Say Burkett faxed the docs around (someone sure did). Why would CBS go to him and pressure him to say where he got them? And he gives out a name that isn't the real true source to get CBS off his back? Riiiight.

Also, Burkett did NOT SAY the docs weren't forged. He only said he didn't do it.

[Barnstormer]

He's still trying to distract attention away from a DNC and Kerry campaign connection, making it look like it was between CBS and Burkett!

[Torie]

So why didn't CBS demand to interview the former guardsman that Burkett originally said he got the documents from, and apparently named. Absolutely unbelievable!

[andie74]

Oh, I'll bet you...

HEY! Wasn't Max Cleland in Crawford recently to deliver some documents to President Bush in person? My guess is he did a little FAXing from the Kinko's in Abilene on his way out of town.

[TexasCajun]

The DNCBS story and they're sticking to it!

RATHER: Burkett still insists the documents are real, but now says he was in no position to verify them.

BURKETT: I also insisted when I sat down with your staff in the first face-to-face session, before I gave up any documents, I wanted to know what you were going to do with them, and I insisted that they be authenticated.

They are still claiming the 'story' to be true, but without the "authenicated" support documents.

[toomanygrasshoppers]

"Ramon or Raymond..."

Don't forget, CBS has had hours to edit this tape. They would have cut out anything they didn't want us to know. They are aware by now that we will scrutinize everything that comes out very carefully. What I'm trying to say is that it may be a red herring.

[Signalman]

Since this is potentially a criminal matter, the FBI should be interviewing Burkett and find out from whom he received the docs.

[BoBToMatoE]

Anyone else noticed that we still do not know who created the forged docs and exactly how the dems knew about this in order to run their "operation fortunate son."

[SmithPatterson]

President Bush would have received a better apology from a coach of a losing football team. Rather is such a jerk. He is probably mad because he got caught. He didn't directly apologize to the President. But, then again, I didn't expect him to. His ego wouldn't be able to take that.His hatred of Bush was evident. Don't look for him to resign either. He will not be fired.

[bdfromlv]

Has anyopne looked into the relationship between the Texas army national gaurd and the Texas air national gaurd. I know in most other states they are not connected in training areas or any other way even if Burkett was an officer they dont share information .

[andie74]

HAHAHAHAHA!

Well, Katie, bar the door, here come the Freepers, and they're madder than hornets with a grizzly in their hive.

[VRWCTexan]

BURKETT: I also insisted when I sat down with your staff in the first face-to-face session, before I gave up any documents, I wanted to know what you were going to do with them, and I insisted that they be authenticated.

Too many conflicting stories - assuming he had a face to face meeting - why would Burkett then need to "fax" CBS the documents....

Also what about the paper that said they received all six memos independently of CBS - did Dan bother to ask Burkett if he were the source for that transmission - or did they come directly from the "unnamed" source?-

This is all about SPINNING AND DAMAGE CONTROL - NOT GETTING AT THE TRUTH!!

[Inyokern]

What I'm trying to say is that it may be a red herring.

Could be. It is strange that I don't see it in the transcript.

It could also be a code name Burkett made up.

[bayourod]

Missing from this transcript is Dan Rather's statement that CBS contacted Burkett first. That means someone else told CBS that Burkett had the memos. That person (Kerry, Carville,???) could have also strongly suggested to CBS that they get the ,memos and run the story IMMEDIATELY in conjunction with the DNC and 527s campaign against Bush's National Guard service.

"he changed his story, and told us he got the documents from a different source, one we cannot verify. "

Why can't they verify that source? Is he dead? Or is Burkett refusing to give CBS the name? A Congressional committee could ask Burkett that question and if he takes the 5th he could lose all retirement pay.

"BURKETT: Yes. And I simply threw out a name. "

Why didn't CBS check with that person to verify that he passed the memos to Burkett?

[SwinneySwitch]

"To err is human but to really foul up requires a computer." - Dan Rather

[unsycophant]

Who put CBS on Burkett's trail?

I assume that Burkett was the person responsible for faxing the documents around, but it sounds like he sent them to more outlets than CBS. Other news orgs named him as probably being the source, right away, so they had to know that their copies came from him. So why did CBS bite? OR, why didn't the other outlets?

[andie74]

Well, if the desire was for this thing to die, it certainly raised more red flags for people.

Do you think this will make it to Congressional Committee? How do we make that happen?

[Steven W.]

Let's see what Michael Dobbs @ Washington Post does with this - he seems to be quite the reporter that all the rest of journalism should aspire to be.