White House Says Congress Informed Of Shadow Government Plans

Associated Press / SFGate

[RCW2001]

White House says Congress informed of shadow government plans
RON FOURNIER, AP White House Correspondent
Tuesday, March 5, 2002
©2002 Associated Press

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/03/05/national1030EST0559.DTL

(03-05) 07:30 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

President Bush's spokesman disputed complaints from lawmakers who said they were not informed that the administration had established a "shadow government" outside Washington in case nuclear-armed terrorists strike the nation's capital.

"In order to have continuity of government ... the Hill must be involved," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said Tuesday.

He did not reveal what lawmakers or legislative aides were advised of the plans, which include housing 75 to 150 senior administration officials in secure underground facilities. The officials rotate in an out of the secret sites, spending days at a time away from friends and family, to ensure that top government officials survive an attack on Washington.

The procedures, a response to the Sept. 11 attacks, marks the first time that the Cold War-era continuity of government plan has been implemented.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a Democrat, said Sunday he wants Bush to keep congressional leaders better informed about the war on terrorism and the shadow government. He said no lawmakers knew about the continuity of government plan.

Fleischer said "the appropriate people" on Capitol Hill knew of the plan. "I cannot speak to how Congress fully informs itself. I'm confident and the president is confident that when people pause and talk to each other on the Hill" they will discover who was told of the administration's plan.

He said the information was tightly held because secrecy is key to ensuring the continuity of government in the event of a disaster.

Asked if Daschle was not informed because he is not in the line to succeed the president, Fleischer replied, "There is a line of succession."

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said he was aware that a plan existed but not that senior officials were being moved in and out.

Daschle's remarks were part of a broader complaint about the administration's efforts to keep Congress informed about the war's developments, including plans to expand beyond Afghanistan.

©2002 Associated Press  

[Wphile]

Daschle's a liar and this is a press generated story. This had been reported last fall and didn't create all this hoopla. The press is working in cahoots with the Dems.

God, I hate the press.

[VRWC_minion]

But the question is....Did Ari consult Daschle on today's House information release ?

[skeeter]

Daschle's remarks were part of a broader complaint about the administration's efforts to keep Congress informed about the war's developments, including plans to expand beyond Afghanistan.

How considerate of AP to provide the larger context for Daschle's complaint, just in case it doesn't resonate with the public.

[r9etb]

"the appropriate people" knew of the plan ... "I cannot speak to how Congress fully informs itself."

Ooooh, what a nasty little poke. "Hey, Tommy: are you telling us that your own Senate doesn't consider you important enough to tell?"

I'm really beginning to enjoy seeing Bush's team play politics.

[ThinkingMan]

According to another thread Daschle and Lott were both brought to the facility on September 11. Now it sounds like Lott is denying knowledge of the contingency plan as well. What the heck is going on with these fruitcakes in congress?

[SuziQ]

Daschle's remarks were part of a broader complaint about the administration's efforts to keep Congress informed about the war's developments, including plans to expand beyond Afghanistan

Hey Little Tommy! Want a little cheese with that WHINE?

[Right_in_Virginia]

You're not kidding...what a slap upside the head for Daschle.

[ThinkingMan]

NEVER MIND- I misread the quote from Lott. (I am just so po'd at Daschole that I can't see straight!)

[StarFan]

Lookie here -- Daschle joined on 9/11 as reported by an incontrovertible witness who saw Daschle present!

[ravingnutter]

News from September 11...

Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, Republican leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, Sen. Don Nickles, R-Oklahoma, House Democratic leader Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Missouri, and House Speaker Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, were taken by helicopter to an undisclosed location.

Source

[Attillathehon]

"Hey, Tommy: are you telling us that your own Senate doesn't consider you important enough to tell?"

Well you can see how it would be easy to overlook him.

[Congressman Billybob]

As usual, the Associated Press has blown the story. The arrangements for a "contingency plan," not a "shadow government," are at least 30 years old. On another thread I posted the response of former Chief Justice Berger to the information that he, but not his wife, would be welcome in such a facility.

Plus the AP missed the story that Li'l Tommy Daschle was actually TAKEN THERE on 0/11, along with Lott, Hastert and Gephardt. Maybe Li'l Tommy couldn't see over the counter, so he didn't know what was going on.

The short of it is, the AP in its ignorance, or perhaps bias, is repeating the Democratic lie without gathering and reporting the facts that demonstrate it is a lie. The lamestream media are a patheic, fact-free joke.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "The Un-Music Man."

[Phantom Lord]

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a Democrat, said Sunday he wants Bush to keep congressional leaders better informed about the war on terrorism and the shadow government. He said no lawmakers knew about the continuity of government plan.

LIE!

There were congressional hearings on "the Shadow government". And you can go and read the transcripts at the OMB web site! Sorry, dont have time to look it up and link. Also, The Cleveland Plain Dealer had an article on it in OCTOBER!

To say no one knew about it is an outright lie.

Dashcle Is Not Tall Enough To Ride This Ride

[ravingnutter]

Found the rest of what I was looking for...more news from Sept. 11, apparently from before the last report I posted:

Officials in Washington said a "Continuation of Government" plan had been activated. The activation involves a fortified facility at Mount Weather, Virginia. There was no word whether any of the U.S. leadership or ranking military officers had been taken to the facility.

Source

[mwl1]

Daschle is a desperate, despicable liar.

[Wphile]

Great work and cool site! Daschle is such a fool and the press is so stupid. They fall for all the Dems's lies. They have just as much egg on their face here. Sometimes I think the press is totally worthless - at least the mainstream national press. Too bad no one holds them accountable!

[Wphile]

Great work and cool site! Daschle is such a fool and the press is so stupid. They fall for all the Dems's lies. They have just as much egg on their face here. Sometimes I think the press is totally worthless - at least the mainstream national press. Too bad no one holds them accountable!

[Jaidyn]

I'm not fond of the press, either. They have so much love for themselves they don't need us. This was reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Oct. 11 and later in News and World Report on Oct. 29. I wonder if Dasshole remembers where he was 911? Or Lott? Or Hastert? Or Gephart? Why in the H don't they just come out and say it or shut up?!!!!!