NO BASIS for Washington Post story About Powell resignation . It's TOTALLY FALSE

Drudge ^ | Aug. 4, 2003 | Drudge

[FairOpinion]

No Basis for Washington Post Story

PRESS RELEASE FROM STATE: Regarding the story in today's Washington Post about Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Deputy Secretary Richard L. Armitage, there was no conversation between the Deputy Secretary and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice concerning any plans for "stepping down." There is no basis for the story. As Secretary Powell has always said, he and Deputy Secretary Armitage serve at the pleasure of the President, and will continue to do so.

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"This is gossip and rumor," said State Department spokesman Philip Reeker when asked about The Washington Post story. "The story purports to describe a conversation that took place. That conversation never took place."

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WHITE HOUSE: Scott McClellan just announced that Secy Powell and Deputy Secy Armitage will be arriving at the Crawford Ranch tomorrow evening for dinner with the President. The two will overnight in Crawford and then will meet again with the President on Wednesday and have lunch before heading back to DC...

[NYC GOP Chick]

I understand that, but he should then get someone in there who doesn't constantly undermine him by keeping all the Clintonista leftovers in key policymaking decisions.

And I have a strong hunch that he's responsible for much, if not all, of Bush's reprehensible backing of the "road map," which will likely destroy Israel.

[Mo1]

I understand that, but he should then get someone in there who doesn't constantly undermine him by keeping all the Clintonista leftovers in key policymaking decisions.

If I recall many of the left overs are civil employees and can't be fired

[Mo1]

Brit Hume and Jim Angle pretty much debunked the story on Special Report.

I did see that tonight .. thanks OWF

[CyberAnt]

Okay - I missed that today - I was FReeping Hitlery in La Jolla. I just saw Shep debunking the story also!

[FairOpinion]

"No basis for professional news story? Jeepers, this seems to be happening a WHOLE lot lately... or just finally getting exposed ;-) "

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I went back and looked at the original WP story and they are reporting it as FACT. Here are some excerpts:

State Dept. Changes Seen if Bush Reelected
Powell and Armitage Intend to Step Down

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and his deputy, Richard L. Armitage, have signaled to the White House that they intend to step down even if President Bush is reelected...

Armitage recently told national security adviser Condoleezza Rice that he and Powell will leave on Jan. 21, 2005, the day after the next presidential inauguration, sources familiar with the conversation said.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A16856-2003Aug3?language=printer

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/957661/posts
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And later stories don't say that WP LIED, or they better check their sources, but it's being reported as "White House denies allegations" etc., intimating that the WP report is true, even though Powell and 'armitage both came out and said the conversation never took place and the entire report is false.

Talk about liberal media lies, they don't admit it's a lie, even after it is proven.

Makes you wonder about those "sources".

Remember when Capital Hill Blue came clean about their "sources" who claim he overheard a Bush comment about the Iraq war, a statement which was also never made, nor was that person present, nor could anyone even find that person.

[ohioWfan]

If I recall many of the left overs are civil employees and can't be fired

You're right, Mo1, the state department is populated with 'non-partisan' government employees who are there for life......and it is for that reason, IMO, there are so many leaks from the department.

This one was intended to hurt Bush, but won't get much traction, because on its face, it makes no sense.

[csmusaret]

Using my prodigous reasoning abilities as well as a huge SWAG, I have deduced that this rumor was planted by the Pentagon.

[ohioWfan]

OH! Did you have a good anti-Hil freep??

[NYC GOP Chick]

If I recall many of the left overs are civil employees and can't be fired

I'm not talking about the civil service employees, but the political appointees that Colin Chamberlain insisted on keeping. He claimed that they're "not political," despite the fact that they were Clinton administration appointees and still peddle the same Clintonista foreign policy that has essentially screwed over much of the world.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You're right, Mo1, the state department is populated with 'non-partisan' government employees who are there for life......and it is for that reason, IMO, there are so many leaks from the department.

Nope. As I just pointed out to Mo1, there are plenty of political appointees who could have been -- and should have been -- canned, but were not.

Neville Powell is a disgrace. Anyone who says that Hamas has some good points, as he has recently done, should be shown the door.

[Howlin]

NO BASIS for Washington Post story About Powell resignation . It's TOTALLY FALSE

Then what on EARTH is Chris Matthews still talking about this for?????

[Mo1]

Neville Powell is a disgrace. Anyone who says that Hamas has some good points, as he has recently done, should be shown the door.

When did he say that about Hamas?

[Mo1]

Then what on EARTH is Chris Matthews still talking about this for?????

IMO .. when ever you want to know what the DNC talking point memo is for the week .. watch Chrissy

[bert]

Is Howell Raines now at the post?

[bert]

perhaps they floated a trap, just for meaness.

[Miss Marple]

Are you certain of your facts? I believe all political appointees have left. There are a few Clintonistas whom Clinton got career positions, and despite their obvious loyalties, they cannot be fired because of Civil Service laws. The same holds true for the Pentagon.

I also did not see the quote about Hamas. Do you have a link, or is this another New York Times story that the media picked up?

[ohioWfan]

Powell said that? When? Where? To whom?

[NYC GOP Chick]

Neville Powell is a disgrace. Anyone who says that Hamas has some good points, as he has recently done, should be shown the door.

When did he say that about Hamas?

Well, it was all over the media on July 25, 2003, so he probably uttered it that day:

Elaborating later at a news conference, Powell said Hamas "has a social wing that does good things."

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nyc-abbas0725,0,6527831.story?coll=nyc-topnews-short-navigation

[NYC GOP Chick]

Matthews doesn't talk, he screeches.

[Grampa Dave]

The Compost and the two Slimes are incapable of any real news publication.

All they do is print lies, half truths, DNC mantras and wet dreams.