Bush Sabotages WMD Commission Before It Starts

February 4, 2004 | Daily Mislead Archive
Bush Sabotages WMD Commission Before It Starts


Over the last two days, President Bush and the White House have claimed
that they are going to establish an "independent" commission to promptly
investigate the over-hyping of intelligence before the Iraq war.1 But as
details come out about the White House's proposal, it appears the
commission will be neither independent nor prompt.

Specifically, the president will appoint the entire commission himself,
breaking the previous tradition of allowing lawmakers from both parties
to appoint commission members. Although lawmakers have raised objections
to the commission's lack of independence, the White House is moving
forward with its plans.2

Additionally, despite the fact that the commission's work will be
critical to national security, the president will only authorize a
commission that produces a report after the election -- so as to
minimize any political fallout for himself.3 This contrasts sharply to
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is putting national security
ahead of politics. As the Los Angeles Times reports, "in contrast to a
bipartisan investigating committee announced by Bush, the British panel
is to announce its conclusions by July. That would put any damaging
disclosures for Blair's government well in advance of parliamentary
elections, expected in 2005."4 It also contrasts with similar
investigations in the United States. In 1983, after the terrorist
attacks on U.S. troops in Beirut, a commission was appointed and
finished its work within 3 months.5

As one major newspaper editorial board summed up, "The president's goal
is to delay any objective findings about prewar intelligence until after
the election, leaving him free to decide what the administration knew
and didn't know and who is to blame."6 And the President's continued
misleading on WMD could come at a price. As Republican Senator Chuck
Hagel said, a failure to convince the public that Bush did not
"exaggerate" the case for war "would put the president in a very bad
position. He said people would start asking, "Do we trust his word? Do
we trust him to lead this country?"7

Sources:

1. President Bush Discusses Budget After Cabinet Meeting, 02/02/2004.
2. Democrats urge truly independent investigation, ABC News, 2004.
3. Bush to appoint panel to investigate pre-Iraq intelligence, Kansas
City Star, 02/02/2004.
4. Blair, Following Bush, Agrees to Inquiry Into Iraq Intelligence,
Los Angeles Times, February 4, 2004.
5. DoD Commission on Beirut Attack, 12/20/83.
6. Political war games, Palm Beach Post, 02/04/2004.
7. Credibility of Bush Becomes a Problem, Mostly Self-Inflicted, Wall
Street Journal, 02/04/2004.
-=-
This message was posted via two or more anonymous remailing services.