Ridge backpedals on pressure to raise terror alert level

USA Today (link only) | 8/31/2009 | Mimi Hall

[markomalley]

Link only, per FR posting rules. Link is here

[markomalley]

Remember Ridge in his book saying that politics played a role in setting the Homeland Security Alert Level?

Well, apparently, Rumsfeld has come out and called that accusation "nonsense."

Ridge is now saying: "Who, me? I never said that I was pressured."

[Dr. Ursus]

Tom Ridge-Mr.Excitement.

[domenad]

This was a load from the very beginning. They couldn’t even get Paul “the forehead” Begala on CNN to discuss this chicken @)#* because even he couldn’t kneel down far enough.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Another asshole politician looking to cash in on lying about the Bush administration.

[LeonardFMason]

Tom Ridge PLEASE GO AWAY.

[dfwgator]

And this is the best the Republican Party could come up with?

No wonder it’s dead.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

A book by Tom Ridge.

And that sounded like a good idea to someone.

Wonders never cease.

[pointsal]

Guess that is a code “yellow” for Ridge.

[BobL]

This should pretty much end his viability as a national candidate...thanks Tom, you made it easy for us.

[BobL]

So he’s left out of the FBI briefings and then cannot understand that there may be threats out there.

Yea - regardless of why (most likely they simply didn’t trust him), if he admits to not being in the loop, then how can he claim to know the motivation for the security level recommendations.

Anyway, was the book deal worth all this?

[Just mythoughts]

In Ridge's own words he admits he knew nothing about what was going on. He cannot hide his jealously of not being one of the people in the know.

Does BamaKennedy have a new czar opening? Ridge sure sounds like he is auditioning for one.

[Carley]

Whatever the conversation following the release of the OBL tape right before the election.........the fact is that the terror alert level was NOT raised.

[Rocky]

I remember Ridge being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate at the time GWB ran the first time. How far off can you be?

[exit82]

Two hearings aids and Ridge is still politically deaf.

[DJ Frisat]

Ridge must’ve thought slamming the Bush administration would sell a couple hundred copies of his otherwise boring and uninteresting book.

[God luvs America]

bump

[roses of sharon]

No, he was kissing Hussein arse....bad poll #s for Obama means time for more smears against President Bush.

No doubt Ridge's publisher works for Obama/DNC, just like all publishers. Of course Ridge, like most RINOs, are intimidated by the left, weak.

[MNJohnnie]

I remember Ridge being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate at the time GWB ran the first time

He was also touted as the one McCain "should have picked" by the RINO wing of the GOP