Richard Clarke on for full hour - Hardball

[wyldwolf]

[eleny]

1. Hitting the Cheney/Bush duo appearance

Kewl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wyldwolf]

2. I think tweety is on his side

[k in IA]

3. Tweety was against the Iraq war

[wyldwolf]

5. that he was... and he doesn't seem to like Bush much these days

[wryter2000]

6. Really?

Welcome to DU :hi:

[Lex]

10. Tweety has a draft-age son

or so I remember reading.

Tweety actually has something of HIS at stake, or otherwise he'd be huffing and puffing about the mean ol' Democrats and would be spewing the RNC party line.

Remember how much loved to talk about Clinton's penis? Tweety just sickens me.

[rockymountaindem]

4. God I wish I could watch this in Canada.

[buycitgo]

7. and NO BULLSHIT questions, so far

oops, he just asked if Condi will tell the truth:

"absolutely"

too bad, but he's being SMART to say this

Look at what they did to him, the constant calling him a liar...did you see that worm Rohrbacher last night?

[wyldwolf]

8. "The pResident has to have the ultimate responsibility"

[Eurobabe]

9. thanks for the reminder!!!!

[bushclipper]

11. The CIA and FBI knew that two of the hijackers were in the US

[bushclipper]

12. Tweety feels Rice had never heard of Al Queda..

[tishaLA]

13. Notice how Tweets trotted out a clip HANNITY "uncovered"

what a putz

[kskiska]

14. Tweety's trying to find something to attack Clarke on

otherwise, his interview won't be viewed as successful. Clarke's got an answer for everything, though, so far.

[shoopnyc123]

15. Clarke is training Chris on how to be a good journalist....n/t

[RedSock]

16. damn

tweety's hammering on tenet knowing about ZM after the 1st WTC hit and bush not. mentions "bad pilot" -- tweety calls it a "grand canyon" of reaction. WHY?

clarke seems to be reluctant to criticize bush/tenet.

[spanone]

17. This is good! Tweet seems to respect Clarke.

[Rockholm]

18. PLEASE Ask Why Bush Kept Reading to those Kids!!!!!

[RedSock]

20. clarke reluctant to speculate

i doubt he'll say anything about * sitting in his own pee in booker.

tweety wasn't hammering per se -- just insistent.

[RoundRockD]

21. Tweety sucks up to whoever is sitting in front of him.

Didn't he tell the 9/11 family, who was one of the people who wrote the angry letter about Clarke, that he thought Richard Clarke was not being genuine?

[Zinfandel]

25. And 90% of the time it's republicans.

[Blasphemer]

19. This interview is odd...

Tweety is trying to get SO much information in and pressing Clarke towards his own (Tweety's) conclusions that the interview is becoming convoluted. Everyone else who has interviewed Clarke has done a better job. Hope it gets better.

[RedSock]

22. also not letting clarke talk

asks question

clarke says 5 words

starts in with next question

...

i'm going back to air america!!!

[bluedog]

23. Must be me

I think Clarke is carefully grafting every word he says.....he knows that these news media heads will turn shit around and it'll come back and make him(Clarke) look like hes a liar.ex.bin laden.al queda(rice).he just feels in his gut.as I would....

[NNN0LHI]

24. Did Tweety say Rice was going to correct her "traditional hijackings"...

...public statement? I thoughts that what he said.

Don

[ImperialAmerikkka]

28. She has ALREADY retracted the 'planes as missiles' statement

there's an article on Common Dreams about it.

[NNN0LHI]

32. I think she intends to do it publicly at the hearings when she testifies?

That was my take on what Tweety said anyway? I could have misunderstood the exchange? Welcome to DU IA.

Don

[Cush]

26. talking about Iraq, the 5 reasons

1) Finish the first war

2) Rumsfeld believes that the US had to liberate them by force, to install Democracy

[stepnw1f]

27. I Don't Like His Answer on Shooting Down The Planes

and how Dick Cheney did a great job handling the information!

[pinto]

33. his point being that the VP passed the decision, if there was one, to B*.

Clake clearly feels Busboy needs to answer for whatever decisions were, or weren't made....

[stepnw1f]

37. I'll Buy That... It it appears Tweety is spinning this info for next time

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

29. the vulcans?

cheney rice rumsfeld wollfowitz call themselves the vulcans?

[wyldwolf]

31. Fascinating

...but not logical.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

49. yeah, thats been around for a while...

I recall this from even before Bush was elected.

[RamboLiberal]

55. Can't wait to see this at 11

BTW, there's a book about Bush's Vulcans. I'm reading it along with about a dozen other books, so not that far in yet.



The Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet

While campaigning for president in 2000, George W. Bush downplayed his lack of foreign policy experience by emphasizing that he would surround himself with a highly talented and experienced group of political veterans. This core group, consisting of Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Armitage, and Condoleezza Rice, has a long history together dating back 30 years in some cases. Dubbing themselves the Vulcans, they have largely determined the direction and focus of the Bush presidency. In this remarkably researched and fascinating book, Mann traces their careers and the development of their ideas in order to understand how and why American foreign policy got to where it is today.
As Mann makes clear, there has never been perfect agreement between all parties, (the relationship between the close duo of Powell and Armitage on one side and Rumsfeld on the other, for instance, has been frosty) but they do share basic values. Whether they came from the armed services, academia, or government bureaucracy, the Vulcans all viewed the Pentagon as the principal institution from which American power should emanate. Their developing philosophy was cemented after the attacks of September 11, 2001 and is best reflected in the decision to invade Iraq. They believe that a powerful military is essential to American interests; that America is ultimately a force for good despite any negative consequences that may arise from American aggression; they are eternally optimistic about American power and dismiss any arguments about over-extension of resources; and they are skeptical about the need to consult allies or form broad global coalitions before acting.

Rise of the Vulcans succeeds on many levels. Mann presents broad themes such as the gradual transition from the Nixon and Kissinger philosophies to the doctrine espoused by Rumsfeld, Cheney, and the rest in clear and logical terms. He also offers minute details and anecdotes about each of the individuals, and the complex relationships between them, that reveal the true personalities behind the politicians. This is essential reading for those seeking to understand the past quarter century and what it means for America's future. --Shawn Carkonen

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0670032999/qid=1080784078/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-1940577-2443233?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[LunaC]

57. "Vulcans" as in the Star Trek ultra-logical clan - Oh, PUH-LEASE!

Their high opinion of themselves is laughable considering they're more like the Borg......"We will assimulate you......."

[tibbiit]

61. Maybe they mean followers of Vulcan

The Roman God.
He made the weapons of war and peace right-- for protecton of the hearth? (cant remember)

tib

[Bushknew]

64. They should be called vultures not Vulcans.

[bearfartinthewoods]

30. hands down...tweety is doing the best clarke interview i've seen

[liveoaktx]

34. I agree-what I admire about Richard Clarke is that he is NOT

being drawn into personalities but sticking to the facts as he sees them. He also gives credit where credit is due, as he sees it. But he's not backing off on his opinion and his credibility shines through. And yes, Chris Matthews, while, as usual, running through his questions fast and furious, obviously has a great deal of respect for him.

[childslibrarian]

36. Tweety has asked some very interesting questions

and emphasized what is the most important point Clarke brings up...why are we in Iraq?

[NNN0LHI]

35. No, "hands down...clarke is doing the best interview on tweety i've seen"

[bearfartinthewoods]

51. much better phrasing...eom

[0007]

38. Smooth as silk is Richard Clarke

Don't 'ya wish we had a president that could talk with such certainty, confidence, clearness and with intelligence?

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

46. Masterfull performance...he was onto Mathews game early on...

.....Mathews was trying to game the interview to get Clarke to make some controversial statements and Clarke wouldnt bite.

[librechik]

39. I loved the way he handled all the bad-mouthing video clips

Like Eagleberger saying he cried wolf all the time.

Clarke looks genuinely amused and says Eagleberger is a great American and he appreciates his views on foreign policy--see, answer a personal attack by deflectung it gently and reminding people we should bew interested insubstance, not personal attacks!

Luv that man!

[NNN0LHI]

40. Class act for sure. Can't get him flustered. Solid as a rock n/t

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

52. Its like watching a good basketball game..

Clarke reminds me of a real good basketball team at the top of its form....takes the reboung...SWISH...basket wiithout even touching the rim....

That followup on Eagleburger was great...a joy to watch Clarke field that one.

[Cush]

41. Iran or Syria could be next if Bush is elected

[Posinegativeman]

42. If Iran or Syria supported terrorists what would Kerry do?

More or less than Bush? What would Clarke do?

[mmonk]

50. It's "Securing the Rhealm"

That's neocon talk if you haven't heard it before.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

53. Read the book for what Clarke would do with Iran

...this is addressed in relation to Khobar Towers.

[BootinUp]

43. Great Interview for Clarke

If people watch him they should see that he is not a partisan. He even spoke well of Condi and said he does not want this to be a he said she said. I think he came off very well. And Matthews didn't even ask about the attacks from the whitehouse for the first 45 minutes, I missed the last couple questions.

[tandot]

44. Clarke did an outstanding job despite his positive Condi remarks

And I don't mind him saying something positive about Cheney, Condi, or Bush. He doesn't need to look partisan and saying some good things about these f*ers makes him more credible. Especially to those people who are not sure about his testimony.

And Tweety can't afford to be to soft on him. I like the way he handled the interview. And Clarke can handle tough questions. He is a tough and very credible guy.

[Blue_Roses]

45. Clarke looked pretty pissed

about the Moveon.org ad.

[NNN0LHI]

47. Public testimony. Don't think he can go any further than being pissed? n/t

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

48. Mathews was playing a sneaky game here.

I at first thought he was on Clarkes side, but then I saw he was trying to get Clarke to cop to some, well, inflammatory or controverisal conclusions or statments that could be used (elsewhere) to hang Clarke.

Clarke was onto this game and wouldnt take the bait. This guy is real sharp...really really sharp.

I like the way he wouldnt lower himself to trash talk about his opponents...especially that closing thing with Lawrence Eagleberger doing the trash talk on Clarke, and Clarke being gracious about it all, then correcting the the spin.

Outstanding. Clarke is just outstanding at this.

I can see how he was the master debater while in high school.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

54. Richard Clarke, Superstar.

I dont think Ive seen a smoother performer ever.

Clarke was just outstanding....he actually gets better and better with each interview I see him on.

And I noticed how he brings it back to his main points in his book...esp his discussion about CIA & FBI problems.

[Junkdrawer]

56. Let me get this straight- two of the terrorists who did the USS Cole...

and then were involved in 9-11 roamed the country BECAUSE A LOW LEVEL CIA EMPLOYEE DIDN'T TRANSFER INFORMATION FROM ONE SYSTEM TO ANOTHER?????

[Karenina]

58. It could happen.

.

[Junkdrawer]

60. Sorry, sounds like bullshit to me...

I'd have to see the details, but there had to be a few agents and supervisors involved in something like this - and not one says,

"Say, you remember that piece of information I found. You know, the most important thing I found in years. Anyone following up on that?"

[bklyncowgirl]

67. That was referred to in Clarke's book

On the morning of 9-11 right after the second plane hits, the guy from FBI comes in and says they have the passenger lists and some of the passengers were Al Queda. Clarke asks "How the fuck did they get on the plane" and the FBI guy says "Don't shoot the messenger. CIA forgot to tell us they were in the country."

[Junkdrawer]

68. Welcome to DU - Is this a new revelation of just an underplayed one?

It's the first time I've heard it. :shrug:

[grasswire]

59. tweety...

....could make more news happen on his show if he would learn to wait for the guest to volunteer the second sentence rather than jump in with his own leading questions before the guest can even take a breath. Often the $$$ is in the second sentence. Many times he cut Clarke off and he frustrated both Clarke (who was trying to provide some info) and me (who watched Clarke try to say something but be cut off).

Dammit, Tweety. Learn some technique. We don't want to hear the guest just validate Tweety's thoughts.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

62. Mathews parting remark...# 1 on NYT Best Seller List....

.....& I'm glad to hear it !

[UTUSN]

63. Kick for the Re-run

Tweezer sucks.

[Catherine Vincent]

65. I never thought I'd see anybody as smooth as Bill Clinton.

Richard Clarke has arrived!

[DeepModem Mom]

66. kick