9/11 Commissioner Lehman Rips Clarke Over Book Deal

NewsMax.com ^ | 3/24/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

9/11 Commission member, former Navy Secretary John Lehman ripped ex-terrorism czar Richard Clarke Wednesday afternoon for cashing in on this week's public hearings into America's worst disaster by using the forum to peddle his book.

"When you and I first served together [in the Reagan administration] I had been a fan of yours," Lehman began when his turn to question Clarke came. "When you agreed to spend this much time with us, as you say, 15 hours, I was very hopeful."

Of Clarke's private testimony before the Commission, Lehman said, "I thought you let the chips fall where they may . . . Certainly the greater weight of [your criticism of the U.S. war on terrorism] fell during the Clinton years."

The 'Selling' of Clarke's Commission Appearance

Then the former Navy Secretary unloaded on Clarke with both barrels.

"But now we have the book," Lehman noted. "I've published books before and I must must say that I am green with envy at the promotion department of your publisher."

Continued Lehman: "I never got [Commission member] Jim Thompson to stand before 50 photographers reading your book. And I certainly never got '60 Minutes' to coordinate the showing of its interview with you with 15 network news broadcasts, the selling of the movie rights and your appearance here today."

Clarke has 'Credibility Problem'

Lehman said that when he started to read press accounts of Clarke's book, "I said to myself, this can't be the same Dick Clarke that testified before us, because all of the promotional material and all of the spin in the networks was that this is a roundly, devastating attack - this book - on President Bush.

"That's not what I heard in the [private Commission] interviews.

"And I hope you're going to tell me, as you apologize to all the families for all of us who were involved in national security, that this tremendous difference - and not just in nuance but in the stories you choose to tell - is really the result of your editors and your promoters rather than your studied judgment."

Lehman then blasted:

[Your book] is so different from the whole thrust of your testimony to us. And similarly, when you add to it, the inconsistencies between what your promoters are putting out and what you yourself said as late as [last] August 5, you've got a real credibility problem."

Lehman concluded:

"Because of my real, genuine, longtime admiration for you, I hope you'll resolve that credibility problem because I'd hate to see you become totally shoved to one side during the presidential campaign as an active partisan selling a book."

[OldFriend]

Can anyone tell us how to contact Lehman and give him our thanks for being a true American.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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Shall we play a Game..?
This is NOT a Game..!!



911 Remembered: RICK RESCORLA was a Soldier

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/978534/posts

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[truthandlife]

GWB now bounces up in the polls by 5 or more points.

This is dreaming in a Freeper world. The leftist media will spin this testimony and show Clarke apologizing to the 9/11 victims, Kerrey ripping FOX News and the families of 9/11 victims hugging him at the end of his testimony. GWB will take a big hit in the polls the next few weeks and when the conclusion comes from the Commission come out at the end of July will rip Bush. This is a long campaign and Bush will ultimately prevail. Kerry will continue to implode, Bin Ladin will be captured and Bush will keep running a flawless Presidential campaign even with the whole world against him. Bush will win but it will be close again.

[tcuoohjohn]

It is important here to be just. John Lehman is a prolific author of cogent criticism of US Military posture as seen by liberals.

His accusation of "book motivations" must be seen in the light of Lehman's voluminous authorship.

[Arrowhead1952]

The White House did not choose to release it. Fox News found it in their archive. It is called reporting. ABC should try it sometime.

ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC DO NOT report anything. They just slant every story to fit their liberal biased views.

Everything that is good for America, is bad for the left and vice versa.

[cajungirl]

If the WH released it, what would be the problem. Are they supposed to sit silently while a liar maligns them? Since when is that some kind of rule.

[george wythe]

And that's the whole battle right there - who controls the flow of information to the swing voters.

I was one of those drones for years. The Internet has changed the dynamics a little bit, in the sense that curious voters (like me) will try finding more information about a story and accidentally find the whole story.

Before C-SPAN, Foxnews, and the Internet, I got all my news filtered through the leftist PR machine.

[MeekOneGOP]

"did he just call Clarke a liar"?

It was GREAT to see ! hahaha !

[b4its2late]

But get this, the radio news report immediate spun it, asking in an accusatory tone why the WH had chosen to release this info now, and then a soundbite that didn't discuss the refutation, but rather McClellan defensively trying to explain the timing.

It appears their spinning will only end when no one is watching or listening to them any longer and their revenue from ads dries up. Even then, the libs will try to hang on....

[christynsoldier]

right you are Ronnie, Rick was a true WARRIOR
and it's still a terrible loss for the country
that he sacrificed himself for so many at WTC...

too bad he didn't have weasel Clarke's job, some
thing would have gotten done in 8 years...

[patriciamary]

The republicans have to to come out with double barrels aiming at Clarke and the democrats also the Kerry machine had something to do with this.Come on republicans don't be cowards as usual defend your President, defend what is Right for once!!! If you do not your party will be forever USELESS!!!!Become straight shooters for once,the democrats have no problem attacking you for no reason. This party is out to destroy the President and the republican party, wise up!!!

[Howlin]

"I never got [Commission member] Jim Thompson to stand before 50 photographers reading your MY book.

He said MY.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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I think Former CIA Director JAMES WOOLSEY, who has been praising RICK RESCORLA heavily on TV ever since 911, would agree with you.

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[Reagan Man]

Just for the record. Richard Clarke responded to John Lehman's comments, with the following remarks. Clarke said, he was a Republican who voted for George W.Bush in 2000; someone who isn't working for John Kerry's campaign; and someone whose new book is totally consistent with his past public statements and positions.

Clarke didn't explain why he's such an opportunistic, angry and bitter former public servant. All while this 9-11 commission is helping him sell his new book.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

ABC radio news, after all day hyping Clarke's testimony unrefuted, only just now reported Clarke's conflicting interview from 2002, mentioning that Scott McClellan brought it up at a White House Briefing. But get this, the radio news report immediate spun it

I just heard this ABC report on the radio and couldn't believe my ears! It makes me wonder what's up....maybe they have some great "counter" to this report planned....

[Mo1]

Oh my my

[MozartLover]

Clarke said, he was a Republican who voted for George W.Bush in 2000; someone who isn't working for John Kerry's campaign; and someone whose new book is totally consistent with his past public statements and positions.

Uh-huh. And Bill Clinton has decided to join Promise Keepers.

[savedbygrace]

According to Jim Angle, he found the audio tape of this and ran it past the White House before reporting on it. The White House approved the release. I assume this was necessary because Clarke's statements were made on background.

Sen. Kerry and the liberal media will act all puffy at Fox News' "dishonorable" move, but did you hear any complaints when The Washington Post (or whichever major media outlet it was) lead with the story that President Bush is often the source for background quotes from "a senior WH official," including the background quotes they used for a particular story? Sheesh, what hypocrits.

[Right_Mom]

bump

[Ole Okie]

And Bill Clinton has decided to join Promise Keepers.

Oh, he'd join. And attend meetings carrying his 25 pound Bible.

He just wouldn't keep any promises.

"I never had sex with that woman...".