Perle was chairman of the Defense Policy Board, appointed so by Bush in 2001.
Newt continued to serve on the board well into 2007.
Perle had been for the invasion of Iraq and the overthrown of Saddam Hussein for years.
Rice was part of WHIG. (White House Iraq Group)
Powell helped to facilitate the invasion of Iraq with his little vial. As a former general, it is improbable to believe Powell knew nothing of the Defense Policy Board or its membership.
The papers Rumsfeld released show that Newt was involved in the lead up to the invasion and later.
I think Newt was referring to the lead-up to the Iraq invasion when he said he served with Rice/Powell in an attempt to make a grasp at anything to temper his earlier remarks. Epic fail.
Still, there is a connection between the 3.
So, I'd say that - Newt is a racist and just digging his heels even deeper - but that he did work with Rice and Powell under the Bush administration in a less than public (at the time) role. I'm sure the WHIG group and Perle's group overlapped during the lead-up to the invasion. Making his contact with Rice greater than his contact with Powell. Fact is, evidence suggest Newt's contact with Rice would have been greater since Powell did voice an objection every now and then. (He still shook that vial though) So, yeah...there is a more than "vague connection" - though I would say they worked together more than served together...though they all 3 served Bush/Cheney.
Bashing Newt is just plain fun and he deserves it - but he still was working behind the scenes in the Bush administration on the invasion of Iraq. (and later)
And, if you're someone who never knew about Perle and Newt working together in the Bush administration or that the documents Rumsfeld released also include Newt's involvement with the Bush administration...maybe it's time you learned. (that's the general you/you're - for anyone that didn't know or forgot)
Defense Policy Board
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/12/international/middleeast/12EXPA.html?pagewanted=all
Richard Perle
http://www.aei.org/scholar/richard-perle-1/
Perle/ letter to Clinton
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/iraq/stories/policy020598.htm
http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqclintonletter.htm
Newt
http://www.newt.org/meet-newt
http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11419
Newt/Rumsfeld papers
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/03/16/new-rumsfeld-documents-highlight-gingrichs-involvement-with-iraq-war/
Rumsfeld Papers
http://www.rumsfeld.com/
WHIG (White House Iraq Group)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5077403
I don't give anyone a pass on the Iraq invasion.
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