WP: Rice to Cite Pre-9/11 Mentality, Officials Say

[kskiska]

National security adviser Condoleezza Rice plans to testify tomorrow that the Bush administration was acting in a pre-Sept. 11 mindset in its efforts to combat al Qaeda and other terrorist groups and must be judged in that context, administration officials said yesterday.

At the same time, Rice plans to argue that President Bush focused aggressively on terrorism before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The CIA had warned for several months that a massive al Qaeda strike was possible.

(snip)

Rice also plans to mount a lengthy and barbed rebuttal of Richard A. Clarke, Bush's former counterterrorism adviser, who has sharply criticized Rice and other Bush administration officials for allegedly neglecting the al Qaeda threat. But Rice's response will likely be saved for the two-hour question-and-answer session with the commission rather than being included in her opening statement, which is expected to take about 20 minutes, officials said.

(snip)

Rice previously declined a television anchorman's invitation to follow Clarke's lead and apologize to the families of victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Aides gave no indication that she will do so tomorrow. Bartlett said she is likely to note that the nation "still grieves" for the victims, and can "best honor their loss of life by pursuing and finding the terrorists and bringing them to justice."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56093-2004Apr6.html

[tedoll78]

1. HA!

Yeah, contrast that with Clinton's pre-9/11 mentality, where he insisted on frequent meetings with intelligence officials to track status of certain elements..

Translation for what Condi will say: They were asleep at the wheel, unlike some others..

[shockingelk]

2. GOP: party of non-accountability!

Hot air!

[saracat]

3. What Pre 9-11 Mentality Was That?

Not Clinton's ,which was urgent. And what about those Clinton papers? Why can't Shrub release them ?Big Dog said okay. Maybe the comparison will make them look bad.They are hiding something. The Clinton record!