March 29, 2004
SHE WORKS FOR THE PRESIDENT:
Clarke Refused to Testify in 1999, Citing Same Reasons as Condi (NewsMax, March 29, 2004)
Former Clinton terrorism czar Richard Clarke refused to testify before the Senate Y2K Committee in 1999, citing the same rule invoked by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in recent days, with the Bush White House saying the regulation prevents her from testifying publicly before the 9/11 Commission.In a transcript of a July 29, 1999, Senate hearing first unearthed by FreeRepublic.com, Committee Chairman Robert Bennett, R-Utah, explained that Clarke had canceled his appearance because, as a member of the National Security Council, he hadn't been confirmed by the Senate and as such was prohibited from testifying before Congress.
The Congressional Record confirms Clarke's decision not to appear by invoking the same rule cited by Dr. Rice.
One of the things the Bush team determined to do before they ever took office was to restore the prerogatives of the executive, many of which Bill Clinton had squandered. As with Vice President Cheney's Energy meetings they've pretty much stuck to their guns. Posted by Orrin Judd at March 29, 2004 9:25 PM
I understand maintaining the principle. But you gotta admit having Rice publicly slam down Clarke and Dems in her testimony would be sweet. And also watching the Dems, the Rainbow Coalition party, going after probably the most powerful African American woman in the country (next to Oprah).
Posted by: AWW at March 29, 2004 11:08 PMMmmmmmhhh... Oprah makes more money, but she can't suggest the President call a nuclear strike on anyone.
Who's more powerful???
Posted by: M. Murcek at March 29, 2004 11:51 PMAWW--
She can do all of that in front of any number of media forums. Moreover, why should a real flunky like Clarke get Super Bowl billing against a heavyweight. He deserves only what he has gotten: debunking by bloggers.
Posted by: MG at March 30, 2004 8:08 AMSpeaking of Clinton, is it true that neither he nor Gore will testify before the commission? How does that happen?
Posted by: Rick T. at March 30, 2004 9:40 AMaccording to reports, rice will now testify publically. next few weeks should be rather interesting on that front.
Posted by: a at March 30, 2004 11:51 AM