Condoleezza Rice & the 9-11 Commission [LIVE THREAD] 9AM EST

http://c-span.org/ ^ | 4-8-04 | ME

[OXENinFLA]

Rice Testifies Before 9/11 Cmsn. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testifies before the Sept. 11 Commission.

[Peach]

Kean: Was the administration too focused on Iraq. Can you help us understand where in those early days after 9/11 the administration placed Iraq?

Condi: Let me place this in the context of where we were trying to figure out who did this. It was a reasonable questoin to ask whether Iraq was behind this considering their hostility to us.

We also wondered if Iran was behind us.

When we got to Camp David, I knew what was on the president's mind and trying to reassure the American people and get Wall Street up and running. We were concerned about air security. By the time we got to Camp David and begin to plan a response, what was rolled out on the table was Afghanistan.

That was a daunting enough task. There was a discussion of Iraq. I think it was Don Rumsfeld who raised it as this was a global war on terror.

When the President went around the table and asked his advisors what he should do, everyone said we should go to Afghanistan.

[anniegetyourgun]

Clearing up the "obsession with Iraq" nonsense. Emphasizing how well she knows this president.

[Darlin']

I think she is relaxed, or as much as is possible under the circumstances, this is just the normal tone or register of her voice.

[boxerblues]

bookmark Drudge link

[The Louiswu]

Right on, they are aleady spinning this in a leftward way...

[areafiftyone]

Checking in but cubically challenged of course. WHEW Its a lot of reading in the morning to get thru over 500 posts! My brain is in overdrive! ;-)

[ride the whirlwind]

She is the 78 record speed to Clarke's 33

LOL

[Just mythoughts]

"Kean asking now about "too much emphasis on Iraq." Incoming..."


There sure is something special to the liberals need in protecting Saddam. Seems like they are going to need some heavy duty therapy to get over not protecting him and his "Oil for Food" scam!

[TexasNative2000]

Oops. She just said Bush was worried about getting Wall Street opened up after 9/11. THAT clip will be on tonights news reports.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Condi is TERRIFIC.

Her ability to speak fast is exceeded only by her intelligence.

Very impressive.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Too much emphasis? Huh? What is wrong with him?

[cajungirl]

Honesty is a beautiful thing. If one is honest, one doesn't worry about questions. Neveer have I seen it more clearly in a public forum. She is clothed in honest, character and decency. Damn, I love this woman.

[Howlin]

You know what, I bet Clarke was FURIOUS that HE didn't get to go to Camp David that weekend.

[Fishtalk]

I can't quite recall but didn't Woolsey resigned due to the lack of communication between the White House and the CIA?

See there, I've heard of Woolsey but didn't know that he resigned. I'm sure of the Washington joke that the CIA director had TWO, count 'em, TWO meetings with the CIA chief.

I was a liberal back then, buying the spin. Count me amongst the new enlightened.

[proud American in Canada]

regarding going after Iraq--

paraprasing: at the beginning, we were trying to figure out who did this to us. Reasonable to consider, it was possibly Iraq.

President wanted to get Wall Street up and running, by the time we got to Camp David and planned our response. First we looked at a map of Afghanistan; wanted to avoid difficulties that Soviets and British had.

Should we look at Iraq? Not a single one of his principle advisors advised doing anything against Iraq.

Pres wanted contingency plans against Iraq should Iraq act against our interest, should it take advantage of the situation post 9-11.

[txradioguy]

"where's the book? Why aren't they holding it up and asking her about it?"

Good point. Amazing how that piece of crap disappeared one the facts were revealed.

[4everontheRight]

Q: some people have wondered if you were too much into Iraq prior to 9/11

A: reasonable question to ask if Iraqi was responsible. Prior to Camp David, I know what the President was thinking...further attacks. Once at Camp David and plans for response were being made....Afganistan was on the table. Iraqi was also discussed. President laid out for Rice what he wanted to do...Afganistan...contengecy plans against Iraq

[Quilla]

You, my friend, are talented. Great transcription!

[JFC]

Amen... and protection for our military. They too will hit it out of the park.... after all we have a President who does not give up with 3 on base and 2 outs.

He is a winner so are our MILITARY, PRESIDENT and CONDI!

3 STRIKES AND THE DEMS ARE OUT!

[PogySailor]

So far, so good. Waiting to see how she handles hostile questions from the LLL contingent on the panel.