A cordial interview


Exclusive excerpts from unofficial transcripts of the meeting that never really happened



WASHINGTON (The Radish) -- Following is a brief excerpt from the historic interview today of President Bush and Vice President Cheney by the 9-11 Commission in the Oval Office. The source, who insisted on anonymity, has been transferred to a safe house in an undisclosed area in New York in preparation for an interview with Larry King Live sometime this week.

COMMISSIONER: Mr. President, it has been asserted by several officials, including former counter-terrorism chief, Dick Clarke, that in the months leading up to the attacks on the World Trade Center, that there was a disinterest on the part of the White House which was more focussed upon conventional defensive weapons systems and threats. Is this an accurate assessment? If not, can you describe for the commission, in your own words, the nature of the administration's preparations in response to these impending threats?

PRESIDENT BUSH: [Quick glance at Vice President Cheney] That's another good question, Commissioner. Well, we know that Mr. Clarke is a disgruntled former employee. He had this idea... he believed, as I do, and as Condee and Dick here also believe, and continue to believe, that there were threats and that those threats were from killers and thugs who have a hatred for our freedoms, for our liberties that at this very moment our finest young men and women are putting their lives on the line to protect and... well, you know it really wouldn't be fair... what's going on in Falluja right now, well, that's not what the Iraqi people want, the majority of them. And, in fact, just yesterday you heard Ricardo... you know, the Mexican general over there, who is a very fine soldier who loves this country even though he's not completely American, I might add, say that things are getting back to normal. And they are, in spite of the Al Kayda thugs that are trying to disrupt our mission there. And... you all are doing a good job for America, America needs people doing good jobs... I mean, look, it's probably best if I didn't say this, but...

VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY: Excuse me, Mr. [DELETED], the characterization of the White House as being "disinterested" is unfounded. Clearly, we did not anticipate this assault on the Homeland. We were, in fact, diligently focussed on developing a strategic program to embrace the potential threats posed by foreign enemies, including, but not limited to Al Qaeda. What the President is trying to say, if you would let him continue without constant interruption, is that...

WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL ALBERTO GONZALES: Forgive us, Commissioner. May we cordially ask all of you to step outside for a few moments so that I might confer with my clients... er... the President and Vice President. Thank you.

More soon...

Posted: Thu - April 29, 2004 at 04:30 PM      

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