A Combative Clinton Defends Record on Fighting Terrorism

WashPost ^ | 9-24-06 | Michael Grunwald

[STARWISE]

Former president Bill Clinton angrily defended his administration's counterterrorism record during a Fox News interview to be aired today, while accusing "President Bush's neocons" and other Republicans of ignoring Osama bin Laden until the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Clinton had planned to discuss his climate change initiative during his appearance on "Fox News Sunday," but he turned combative after host Chris Wallace asked why he hadn't "put bin Laden and al-Qaeda out of business." Clinton shot back that "all the conservative Republicans" who now criticize him for inattention to bin Laden used to criticize him for over-attention to bin Laden.Clinton said he authorized the CIA to kill bin Laden, and even "contracted with people to kill him." He also said he had a plan to attack Afghanistan, overthrow the Taliban and hunt for bin Laden after the attack on the USS Cole, but the CIA and FBI refused to certify that bin Laden was responsible, and Uzbekistan refused to allow the United States to set up a base.

By contrast, Clinton said the Bush administration's neoconservatives "had no meetings on bin Laden for nine months," believing he had been "too obsessed with bin Laden."

(snip)

Clinton : There is not a living soul in the world who thought Osama bin Laden had anything to do with Black Hawk down or was paying any attention to it, or even knew al-Qaeda was a going concern in October '93.

Wallace : I understand.

Clinton : No, no, wait. Don't tell me that -- you asked why didn't I do more to bin Laden, there was not a living soul, all the people who now criticize me wanted to leave the next day. You brought this up, so you get an answer. But you -- secondly

[ozzymandus]

Clinton looks very unhealthy (even worse than usual). I'm guessing he has major health problems and doesn't have long to live. that may be part of why he's so defensive about his "legacy".

[nopardons]

I hope that you get them all. :-)

[nopardons]

Oh yes they can be; I agree.

[Beckwith]

can we defend what Bush did not do?

Must be an 18 year old poster. Anyone older would remember:

1. The Democrats holding up Bush Transition Team budget money while the loser Gore disputed the election.

2. The destruction of equipment in and theft of furnishings from the White House.

3. The Democrats fighting every appointment they could.

4. The active sabotage from the Democrats within the government bureaucracy.

Bush was still fighting the Democratic Party in the Spring of 2001. These distractions played a negative roll in getting the administration up and running.

[BamaAndy]

Nope--no, nah--still can't to see or hear the clown.

[OldFriend]

Didn't he use the words, right wingers, rather than 'conservative'. Seems le grunwald, begins the spin in the first paragraph.

Didn't bother to read the rest. I was there, I know the story. Klinton diddled, Americans died.

[danamco]

I was thinking about that too..Sinc ewhen did Klintoon have a plan to do all that ..It's news to me .Why did he keep this a secret all these years ? Unless he made it all up yesterday .

Yes, sandy burglar filed that "NEW" plan at the National Archive just before the 9/11 commission hearings, so until yesterday it was "classified" information. If it was not so pathetic, I would ROFLMAS!!!!!!

[danamco]

And then, in President Bushes very first few weeks, there was the China/P3 incident - which Pres. Bush handled with perfection. (I wonder if that flight crew might not still be captive in China had Clinton or another rat been in office.)

I cringe by the thought if jimmu "pea-nut" carter had been our President dealing with the chinamen like he did with Tehran!??!

[danamco]

So in other words GW was on no cake walk from the begining.

Since B.J.clinton's failure to act, except acting with moooonica physically or doing phone sex at late evenings, -at 9/11 or before,- President Bush were faced with problems greater than FDR were!!!

[Miss Marple]

I don't think that Fox will cut it, since they spent all day Saturday using that clip as part of their promo for Fox News Sunday.

[Coldwater Creek]

Looks like to me, that Chris was really enjoying himself!!!!

[danamco]

Clinton's medical records are more TOP SECRET than anything concerning his entire presidency ever was. He, unlike every other modern president ( except JFK ), has kept his medical records sealed shut.

Can you say killery's college dissertations, also???

[elcid1970]

Thank you for posting that image of our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush.

Seeing it literally has a reassuring, healing effect, after those hideous photos and words of that skunk of a man Clinton.

[MaineVoter2002]

For a legacy and in order to regain power, Clinton and the democrats have more to gain telling lies than the republicans do. Furthermore, I believe it was in January 2000 when Clinton came on national TV (probably as part of some plea bargain) and admitted that he lied.

He has admitted to being a liar.

Why would any American believe this man or his party now?

http://www.cafenetamerica.com

[Gondring]

So you mean he might even approach Hillary at such times?

[Graymatter]

BJ Clinton is like the Islamists. He overreacts so much, that people are then afraid of "offending" him.

I had a close relative who was that way. You couldn't even say anything good about other people because she was so jealous, and anything you said to her she read negatively, and sulked over or freaked out altogether. She probably had a blacklist of people she wouldn't allow to attend her funeral. I'll never know because I didn't go anyway!

I wonder if there is a name for that sort of thing. Emotional bully isn't specific enough. They overreact to everything, to keep other people in line. The only thing you want to say is "Nice doggy," as you would to a pit bull.

[onyx]

How interesting. Are you still awake?

[ohioWfan]

Insane ex-pres BUMP!!

(I am liking this behavior. Anybody else? I mean if we have to be subjected to this debauched slug, it might as well be watching him blowing gaskets, right?)

[kitkat]

***I have wondered for years what his REAL medical history is.***

Shortly after Clintoon was elected, Hitlery fired his WH doctor for refusing to give Bubba a shot which came in a package with no indication of what it was or what it was for. The media never even questioned it.

[Honestfreedom]

Don't get me wrong, I am no supporter of Clinton, but can we honestly say Bush did anything about terrorism prior to 9/11?