It's gonna be "Rice said" versus "the FBI and Ashcroft said"

[scottxyz]

From NYT's Friday page-one article
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/10/politics/10PANE.html?ei=1&en=2ca36aca71374e24&ex=1082566780&pagewanted=print&position=
(free registration required)

"This appears to be a debate within the administration," {commission member Jamie Gorelick} said. "On the one hand, you have Dr. Rice saying that the domestic threat was being handled by the Justice Department and F.B.I., and on the other hand, you have the Justice Department saying that there did not appear to be a domestic threat to address. And that is a difference in view that we have to continue to explore."

= = =

Ashcroft and the FBI will be testifying next week. Happy "exploring"!

[troublemaker]

1. Ashcroft is the logical fall guy

but 'loyalty' is everything to these people and the base loves Ashcroft.

During the key period I believe there was no director at FBI--Freeh out and Mueller not yet in. So that's a handy excuse for Bush, but it's a little late to trot that out. They should have worked that idea in 2002.

Freeh deserves much of the blame--he's a psycho and all around idiot--but the Republicans loved the guy and continually prevented Clinton from dumping him. Even if they wanted to blame Freeh, though, he's long gone. It's like blaming Clinton and won't play among Independents.

At some point blame will be fixed outside the White House, but it will be a good trick to save Ashcroft while pinning the blame on the FBI. We will see.

At least he has a handy "health reasons" excuse for resigning, if it gets to that.

[scottxyz]

2. I'd be glad to see Ashcroft go

whatever the excuse.