Posted on 02/21/2005 1:55:22 PM PST by timewarner
Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 1:33 p.m. EST Wead: Unreleased Tapes a 'Betrayal'
Audiotapes released Sunday of President Bush speaking in a private, off-the-record conversation may not be as damaging as critics had hoped, with Bush winning raves in some cases for sounding the same in unguarded moments as he does in public.
But presidential historian and former first family friend Doug Wead, who secretly recorded Bush, is hinting that the full nine hours of audio he has could be a different matter.
Asked whether the president would view his release of the audio as an act of treachery from a trusted friend, Wead told the Washington Post on Monday, "It depends on what else is on the tapes." Then Wead implied that the unreleased material could be embarrassing, explaining, "Ninety percent of the tapes have not been heard. He can see that my motive was not to try to hurt him."
How could Bush see that, unless Wead was holding back damaging clips?
"If I released all the tapes, it would be an act of betrayal," the author told the Post, further indicating he has some explosive material.
But in the next breath Wead promised: "Most of them have never seen the light of day and never will."
That's not, however, what he told the New York Times for its front page story on Sunday, explaining that he wanted to release them when he died in order to leave the nation a unique record of Mr. Bush.
Other aspects of Wead's story are also raising concerns. He told the Times, for instance, that his motive in releasing some of his tapes had nothing to do with the fact that he has a new book to publicize.
However, the Post reports that Wead's publisher was deeply involved in making the tapes public.
"He said that he had never intended the tapes to become public, but that his publisher, Simon & Schuster, asked to hear them for libel reasons," reports the Post.
The Post continued, "He said after he played them for his editors, he was contacted by the Times and agreed to play portions for a reporter."
Why was the Times alerted? And why did Wead agree to help the paper if he never intended to make the tapes public?
At this point, there's only one logical answer: Mr. Wead's earlier plan to hide his tapes forever changed radically once his publisher began to see dollar signs.
What makes you think Wead is a genuine Christian ?
Tacky. You do not reveal secret conversations. He is just looking for a place in history. Trying to take the President down. He will not succeed.
This story died already.
Never stated that he was.
Wead is the one stating he is a Christian. I'm addressing him in context of these claims.
Now if you are asking what I think, I'd rather not rely on my current emotions to make such a statement. I don't denounce people as imposters to Christianity lightly.
I do know Christian's can be capable of the same treachery as non-Christians. We're susceptible to the same temptations as we were before Christ. Our actions do not always relay the truth of our conversion sadly.
I'm also aware anyone can claim to be a Christian and cite so called credentials and be nothing but an imposter.
I will confidently state his actions are not in the footsteps of Christ, but of Judas.
You are right about the media--
Just saw a survey of Best Presidents--the one done by CNN/Gallup showed Clinton as the second best president---
Now, how does that happen without an out and out rewrite of history?
Has Stern been saying the same thing?
I quit listening to Stern before he got a divorce---couldn't take all of the T & A talk all of the time---disgusting---
I have no respect for men that dump the wives of their youth for a younger trophy wife. I know it happens all the time but I despise it.
... it tells me that he couldn't wait till 2008 to cash in. Cash flow and fame will ruin any friendships held together by the slimmest of threads.
I agree with a previous poster, he needs to be punched out......
Don't nitpick. You understand my point. Many people are thinking there's damaging stuff, and that's not helpful.
I guess her maiden name was not Yager. Apparently the site uses Yager to denote the Amway sponsor or something.
What are you basing that on? I don't believe it.
Yes, I can see how this is yet again "Bush's fault".
The man talks to many people. He said nothing to be ashamed of so why you decide in this story he needs to be more careful is beyond me.
Let's keep the person in the wrong here in perspective. It's Wead, not Bush.
Michael Savage is an idiot.
Change "most" to "a few" and drop "federal" and you'd be close to being on target.
For example, the recording would be legal in Texas or Georgia, illegal in Florida or Maryland. No federal law seems to be implicated.
"Sounds like Mr. Wead is the one who's been puffing the weed."
Sounds to me like his first name should be "Dick"
The way it sounds like on Foxnews are these tapes are backfiring on the leftist media and making Bush look even better.
Michael Savage must be getting paranoid. He doesn't seem to trust anyone.
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