Bush spokesman fends off O'Neill jab

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040112/pl_afp/us_iraq_bush_oneill&cid=1521&ncid=1473

MONTERREY, Mexico (AFP) - The White House fended off a slam from former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, who charged that President George W. Bush (news - web sites) was not engaged in cabinet meetings.

"The president is a strong leader. The president asks tough questions and makes tough decisions. But we appreciate O'Neill's service," spokesman Scott McClellan said on arriving in Mexico where Bush is attending a summit of leaders from North, South, Central America and the Caribbean.

People have the right to express their views," McClellan added. "Bush will be forward looking."

O'Neill also said Bush was intent on ousting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) long before the September 11 terror attacks in the United States.

more

[Skittles]

1. fends off about says it

he certainly did not answer the charges

[RobertSeattle]

2. And they aren't DENYING it

[Virginian]

10. What difference would Denying it make? We know they lie.

n/t

[stevedeshazer]

13. If anything ever comes of this,

and I doubt it, and they deny it, it will come back to bite them.

This is the point that should be hammered home. They are not denying it. If O'Neill was not telling the truth, the White Houswe denial would have been issued in about thirty seconds.

We know they lie, but some fine day these criminals may be under oath.

[Skittles]

27. because denying it puts them on the defensvie

right now basically they are ignoring and will continue to do so unless, like the Lott incident, the pressure builds.

[atre]

29. Of course not- he has the documentation to back up all of his statements

nm

[0007]

3. Just about word for word is what Don Evans said,

of course Evans was associated with Enron. I forgot in what capacity. I don't think they'll trot out Thomas White.

[pinto]

4. the memo has landed

[underpants]

7. LOL

Hilarious

[Malva Zebrina]

5. Problem is they lie so much about everything that nothing they say

is believed by anyone anymore. Even Republicans. This is probably making even them laugh. The habit of lying about everything and trying to hide behind a lie continually over the past three years is now biting them and nipping at their backsides. And, they cannot stop lying now--it is too late and too complicated a weave --

They have zero credibility and I find it incredible that no one of these educated warmongers, these educated CEO's, ever thought of the consequences of the big lie they all tell in tandem. They do not even seem to care.

[underpants]

6. Bad headline:It is not a "jab" and he did not "fend" it off

It's abook detailing the systematic lying and deception of this misadministration. It's more like the first round of a 15 round fight.

That headline sounds like McClellan put it to rest. Sorry buddy you better call Ari up and get some pointers.

[Terwilliger]

9. well, the media is putting it to rest

I hope you're not expecting that this will go very far

I agree about the headline: "fending off" would mean "defending" O'Neill's claims, and he answered with a non-response, which makes it a landed blow!

[revcarol]

14. My sentiments exactly.

Plus, "people have a right to tell how they FEEL" or some sort of mishmosh....This is FACTS ,buddy, not FEELINGS.

[young_at_heart]

8. It's more than just a "view" Mr. McClellan

Sounds pretty factual to me.....please don't dismiss this like everything else!

[TacticalPeek]

11. "Bush will be forward looking."

"All our mistakes, treason, and f***ups are in the past. But our future is bright with millions of jobs right around the corner after another tax cut for the rich, so let's look forward. . . please?"

[skypilot]

12. I am so f*ckin sick of...

...the phrase "forward looking". Also "moving forward". As perverse as it sounds, "forward" is becoming one of my least favorite words.

[Sideways]

31. Toss "Unhelpful" Into The Steaming Load As Well

If these fucks had an original thought it would die of loneliness.

[yellowcanine]

15. "The president asks tough questions"

"Forget that shit about the budget, Tinman (my guess as to former Alcoa president O'Neil's nickname). Put it in a memo. How did the (Texas) Rangers do today?"

[mbperrin]

16. WE appreciate?

Was McClellan even on the job before O'Neill was fired?

[CaptainClark23]

17. But we appreciate O'Neill's service

didn't appreciate it all that much when Treasury published a report addressing what a stupid idea the proposed (now defacto) tax cuts were.

I wonder what indeed they appreciated at all, except for him clearing out his desk for John Snow, who two months earlier had sold CSX to the fecking Carlyle Group.

I need a new sweatband for my tinhat.

[Rex]

18. People have a right to express their views...and the BFEE has the right

to throw their ass in jail on bogus charges.

[Skidmore]

19. Wonder how long Scottie will last before he's begging

to be beamed to the mother ship. You know press secretaries serving during scandals don't last long--they need to take time to spend with their families quicker.

[peterh]

20. Bush (non) response to a direct question….

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/7693483.htm

It’s at the end of the story….

Q: President Bush, is it true, as your former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill says, that you started planning for the invasion of Iraq within days of your inauguration? Do you feel betrayed? And should he have released those documents?

BUSH: First, let me say I appreciate former Secretary O'Neill's service to our country. We worked together during some difficult times. We worked together when the country was in recession. And now we're coming out of recession, which is positive news.
We worked together when America was attacked on September the 11th, which changed how I view the world. September the 11th made me realize that America was no longer protected by oceans and we had to take threats very seriously, no matter where they may be materializing and that the stated policy of my administration towards Saddam Hussein was very clear.
Like the previous administration, we were for regime change. And in the initial stage of the administration, as you might remember, we were dealing with Desert Badger or fly-overs and fly-betweens and looks. And so we were fashioning policy along those lines. And then all of a sudden, September the 11th hit.



It continues in the link…..911 is mentioned three times, taliban once and al-Qaeda zero…..and the question was never answered..

[Jazzgirl]

21. Wow peterh, you sound just like *shrub!

but (like shrub) I digress.....

:evilgrin:

[kayell]

22. He sounds like shrub because that was shrub

being quoted. In fact he goes on from there with the classics to divert attention - security of the American people, Taliban (osama has been completely forgotton) and Saddam. And my favorite "And like he (Saddam) had done with a lot of previous resolutions, he ignored the world's demands. And now he's no longer in power, and the world is better for it. The Iraqi people are better for it. America is better for it. Mexico is better for it. The world is more peaceful as a result of Saddam Hussein not being in power."

I sometimes worry about the poor writers at The Onion. They must feel so redundant these days.

[homelandpunk]

28. You should write the Onion and tell them that

That is a funny line.
:D

[savistocate]

23. "after the attack...I realized--

we had to take things very seriously". But seriously serious~~ warnings~~were given by Pres Clinton and his natl security advisors Sandy Berger, and all. Existing intel findings spotlightedmeans of terror attacks. AFTER-- 3,000 plus victims, their families all Americans had suffered --some tough questions. :think:

[et in Arcadia ego...]

26. He's become President 9/11...

The man's a walking-talking 9/11 propaganda machine. He's going to milk it for all it's worth, because he's nothing without it.

[Whoa_Nelly]

24. Fends off "JAB"??

Hardly a "jab", more like *POW* Right in the kisser!

Am keeping fingers crossed as more and more of national and local media take up O'Neill's story. Have to wonder if the "controlled and silenced" media has been looking and hoping for some story to report on that doesn't paint the Chimp as "Pretty In Pink" and his sh*t don't stink.

[Solly Mack]

25. It's the "high road" tactic

So little, express agreement that people are free to speak their minds and claim you're only looking ahead....then...get others to attack...


Shrub does it all the time.

[DemonFighterLives]

30. Notice

Ron Suskind was on NBC with Katie Couric and tommorrow is supposed to be Ron and Paul O'neill. I don't know if the probe put out by the Reich will affect it or not. I'm tuning in.

[daleo]

32. He sounds tired

Couldn't even manage a good lie, from the sound of that article. Not even much 'fending'.

[amber dog democrat]

33. And OIL had nothing to do with it.

I wonder at how similar McClellan seems to the spokesman for Sauron.
Defending evil is hard work.