Clinton to Get Advanced Word of Iraq Attack

NewsMax.com ^ | 3/11/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

When President Bush gives the order for U.S. forces to attack Iraq, ex-president Bill Clinton will be among a select handful of Americans who will be notified in advance, reports Fox News Channel's Monica Crowley.

"I'm sure many of you won't be too happy to learn that Clinton will know before the rest of us," Crowley said Sunday, while filling in for vacationing WABC Radio host Steve Malzberg.

Crowley explained that the White House practice of early notification of impending military action is a courtesy that extends to all ex-presidents "I remember when I worked for Richard Nixon, the White House would do the same thing for him," she told WABC. "So you can expect that Clinton will get the same treatment."

But the notion that the impeached, disbarred and nearly indicted ex-president will be given the top secret info on the Iraq attack is sure to prompt concern among many Americans. Especially given Clinton's recent attempts to undermine the Bush administration in interviews at home and speeches abroad.

In an October address to Great Britain's Labour Party, for instance, he not only criticized Bush foreign policy, he complained that the 2000 election wasn't legitimate.

"The election was so close in America that they won it fair and square - 5 to 4 at the Supreme Court" Clinton joked sarcastically to Labour's annual conference at Blackpool.

"We should actually be glad, though," he continued to grouse in mocking tones. "Because there were seven Republicans and only two Democrats on the Supreme Court - and two of those Republicans - God bless them, they will be rewarded in heaven - they actually took the decision that we should count votes when the American people vote, and I appreciate that."

Last week the ex-president said that his attacks on the Bush administration were appropriate. "I don't think that's being hateful or bad for the country or anything else," he told the Atlantic Monthly. "Even when I give these political speeches, almost in every speech I say, I don't want you ever to treat them the way they treated me. Don't do it."

Still, Clinton's continual criticism of Bush has ruffled more than a few GOP feathers, prompting Sen. John McCain, R-Az., to issue public reprimand.

"Look, former presidents can do damage," McCain told radio host Sean Hannity last month. "It's very unhelpful. It's in some ways damaging."

"I just have two words," he then added. "Shut up!"

Compounding concern over Mr. Clinton's likely early warning of any Iraq attack, it's probable he will share the secret information with his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton - who coordinates political attacks on the Bush White House as head of the Senate's Democratic Steering Committee.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Bush Administration
Clinton Scandals

[tractorman]

You're fast.

They ought to just not call Clinton and blame it on a bureaucratic snafu.

[CathyRyan]

Works for me.

[NordP]

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!

Okay...give him the right info, with the wrong coordinates - give him France's latitude and longitude instead!

He's lazy he'll never check...

[McGavin999]

Well, since it's a tradition to notify former presidents, and Clinton has already shown he's not interested in traditions, I think the WH should return the favor by NOT notifying him. He can complain if he wants, but then we can remind him that former presidents are NOT supposed to speak out on the policies of their successors.

[NordP]

Good point!

[timestax]

Bubber will be on the phone to Saddam before the first bomb drops. I really think we should wait till the war is over a week or so until Bubber is told, he won't know the difference. 2 posted on 03/11/2003 11:53 PM PST by this_ol_patriot [

Just what I was thinking too!!

[tessalu]

Clinton was in bed with the Chinese, so how can he be in bed with Saddam too? Monica was playing around in the floor.

[Calpernia]

Anyone ever see this info on Clinton?

http://www.iraqwatch.org/perspectives/cfsp-00-f-6.htm

"President Bill Clinton signed the 1998 act which was supposed to invest $97 million in this project. Apparently only $20,000 has been disbursed to the opposition groups - enough to buy some basic office supplies."

What happened to that money???

[staytrue]

,iBubber will be on the phone to Saddam before the first bomb drops

It will be Hillary on the phone to her commodities broker and then a call to Martha. Then they will write a book, "How to profit from insider information and get away with it"

[rrrod]

i agree...way the the dems re they will tell the world in a matter of seconds!

[TLBSHOW]

that is what happens when the Bush/Ashcroft team decided to give old traitor Bill a pass!

[WellsFargo94]

With the Clinton's respect and admiration for the military, this is very unsettling news. God bless our troops and protect them from the Clinton's...again!

[Memother]

Great, just what I was hoping to hear - lets just give him the keys to the country - why not!!!!

[need_a_screen_name]

"The election was so close in America that they won it fair and square - 5 to 4 at the Supreme Court" Clinton joked sarcastically to Labour's annual conference at Blackpool.

LIAR! It wasn't 5 to 4!!! That was only one of the votes and it was not the one that did Albore in. If I remember correctly, it was either 6 to 3 or 7 to 2? Can anyone enlighten us to the truth?

[tillacum]

Did ole rapist in chief let any of the ex-presidents know before he hit that aspirin factory in the Sudan and that empty tent, in ?

[capydick]

Right. I wouldnt be surprised if he tells the rapist a couple of minutes AFTER the bombs are falling and right before he addresses the nation. jimmah should get the same treatment.

[Hildy]

Excuse me, why should Bush practice accepted protocol (notification), when Bubba does not (bashing a sitting President). The Republicans have GOT to stop being so damned nice.

[capydick]

I believe Monica was just speculating based upon previous experience. There is no way she is a mouth piece for anybody but herself.

[blake6900]

Wait a minute - Clinton said in a speech last year that "I would grab a rifle and get in the trench and fight and die."

MEMO TO KRINTONG: Forget the grabbin', gettin' and fightin'...the last action will do just fine.

[LaGrone]

Clinton is dismissing past tradition by being critical of his successor. Plus his wife is a sitting Senator who should not be notified in advance of the military action. Therefore Clinton and Carter for that matter should be out of the loop.