White House promises 'smoking gun intelligence'

The Daily Telegraph ^ | January 16, 2003 | Toby Harnden

[MadIvan]

White House officials have reassured Republicans by signalling that America and Britain are prepared to release powerful intelligence evidence to cement the case for war against Iraq.

Andy Card, the White House chief of staff, and Karl Rove, President George W Bush's chief political strategist, have each indicated privately that the administration has proof that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Card received blunt warnings from conservative Republican senators last week that Mr Bush had to produce a much more concrete case for war if he hoped to keep public support.

Senator Kit Bond of Missouri said more information should be released and asked: "What is the connection between Iraq and al-Qa'eda?" According to sources at the private meeting, Mr Card is understood to have urged him: "Don't worry."

Mr Rove is believed to have used similar language during private briefings to politicians in Washington.

He strongly suggested that the Bush administration already possesses a piece of intelligence from the CIA or MI6 that would amount to the "smoking gun" critics are calling for.

[quesera]

I for one have no doubt that the information is there, and the least sensitive of it will be released at a time of W's choosing.

I do think that once this info is released, then the bombs start dropping probably in a matter of days.

Never doubt the resolve of this President!

[Samurai_Jack]

If you are baited into constantly claiming that we can't go to war without real evidence, then when it is produced you have a very tough time finding another rationale for opposition.

Yep, thats right... Mr Bush needs to pull an Adelai Stevenson move here with Mr Negroponte.

[Paradox]

I too heard Tony Snow speak about this on the Shawn Hannity radio program. He seemed to indicate that exposing the "smoking gun" would in fact result in the death of the source of this information, so its a touchy situation.

[TexKat]

An On The Record Exclusive on Hidden Weapons is coming up next on Greta Van Susteran now.

[gcochran]

Mere Senators are not worthy. I mean, why should Bush keep people like Kit Bond or John Warner informed? They could be sleepers.

[Havoc]

Our man W is becoming something of an expert on playing the timing game...

I'd say it's a game that may include timing if indeed he has a timeline on his mind; and he may. But, he's good at letting the opposition flatulate from the mouth with endless rhetoric then give them that Clint Eastwood "Are you through" look while he backslaps them with facts. It's a tried and true method that will shut 'em up every time. Works quite well for me. LOL

[Petronski]

Kewl.

[Petronski]

Even the steel tariffs were pretty much reversed.

I do not know what you mean. Please explain. :)

[hellinahandcart]

February 1 is the dark of the moon.

It's also my birthday.

I love presents...

[The Wizard]

1. I don't accept the premise that GWB has "far more intelligent opponents", but I agree with everything else.....

[Petronski]

Yep, that's right... Mr Bush needs to pull an Adlai Stevenson move here with Mr Negroponte

That would be so SWEET!

[Spunky]

February 1 is the dark of the moon.

Also my husband's and my 44th Anniversary.

What a celebration

BOMBS AWAY!

[The Wizard]

I could believe that

[The Wizard]

bingo

[bybybill]

Bush knows the Congress is full of leakers, tell`em nothing

[Petronski]

My birthday is January 31!

[azhenfud]

"Something happens on January 28th.

What could it be?"

Publishers' Clearinghouse Giveaway?

[river rat]

"He is playing them like a violin."

Naaah.... He ain't playing...

Bush is slow plucking that demorat chicken.. One "feather" at a time... Pulling slowly... Soon, the scrawny little bastards will be naked and happy to be left alone, picking shit out of the gravel..

Puff Daschle will be publicly exposed for the obstructionist and corrupt little party hack that he has always been.

Good times are ahead
Semper Fi

[Spunky]

It's also my birthday.

I love presents...

See My posting at #52. We are going to celebrate. ;-)

[hellinahandcart]

So, maybe the bombs start falling a little before midnight on the 31st. I'll share.