2008 Woodie Awards
Clarke throws the book at Bush's foreign policies
James Reyes
Issue date: 4/8/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
President Bush is under attack for his actions in response to the events of 9/11 by former counterterrorism chief Richard A. Clarke.
Clarke, who served as counterterrorism chief for the Clinton administration and the beginning of the Bush administration, accused Bush of ignoring multiple reports of possible terrorist threats.
Through his testimonies and his recently published book, "Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror," Clarke portrayed the beginning of the Bush administration as indecisive and inactive against possible acts of terrorism.
Clarke also stated that Bush had undermined the war on terrorism by declaring war in Iraq, thereby diverting government resources, and leaving the homeland vulnerable to attack. He stated Donald H. Rumsfeld pushed the invasion of Iraq due to a lack of significant targets in Afghanistan.
Dr. Joseph Zeppetello, political science professor at Marist, stated that he too was not certain about the invasion of Iraq.
"I'm not sure if all the money and effort spent in Iraq will make us that much safer from another attack," Zeppetello said.
The Bush administration responded to Clarke's allegations and accusations with counteraccusations discrediting Clarke's statements. According to the New York Times, Republicans contended that Clarke's statements contradict what he told a Congressional panel two years ago as a member of Bush's administration.
Bush aides have requested that Clarke's Congressional testimony be declassified and examined. Clarke supported their requests.
According to the New York Times, Bush aides also hope to shift the blame to the Clinton administration claiming that Clinton too had underestimated potential threats of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil and he too failed to eliminate the Al Qaeda presence.
One concern about these claims is the effect it will have on the Bush campaign whose strongpoint lies in his execution of the war on terrorism. Clarke's accusations struck at the center of Bush's credentials on national security and could tear down Bush's political campaign strongpoint in executing the war on terrorism.
"This can't be good for Bush's campaign," Zepetello said. "If Bush keeps attacking him (Clarke), it might become a matter of Bush sounding as if he protests too much."
A Newsweek poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates reported that Bush's support from voters had fallen 13% after Clarke's book release and recent appearance before a 9/11 panel.
However, evidence recently reviewed by the 9/11 commission suggests that Bush left the issue of terrorism mostly to his top advisers who took no concrete action against Al Qaeda. According to the New York Times, reports show that Bush let the terrorism issue fall down the list of White House priorities from the high importance placed on it by national security aides during the Clinton administration.
The chairman and vice chairman of the commission will give Bush the chance to validate his actions and is expected to deliver a report on its findings in July.
Clarke, who served as counterterrorism chief for the Clinton administration and the beginning of the Bush administration, accused Bush of ignoring multiple reports of possible terrorist threats.
Through his testimonies and his recently published book, "Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror," Clarke portrayed the beginning of the Bush administration as indecisive and inactive against possible acts of terrorism.
Clarke also stated that Bush had undermined the war on terrorism by declaring war in Iraq, thereby diverting government resources, and leaving the homeland vulnerable to attack. He stated Donald H. Rumsfeld pushed the invasion of Iraq due to a lack of significant targets in Afghanistan.
Dr. Joseph Zeppetello, political science professor at Marist, stated that he too was not certain about the invasion of Iraq.
"I'm not sure if all the money and effort spent in Iraq will make us that much safer from another attack," Zeppetello said.
The Bush administration responded to Clarke's allegations and accusations with counteraccusations discrediting Clarke's statements. According to the New York Times, Republicans contended that Clarke's statements contradict what he told a Congressional panel two years ago as a member of Bush's administration.
Bush aides have requested that Clarke's Congressional testimony be declassified and examined. Clarke supported their requests.
According to the New York Times, Bush aides also hope to shift the blame to the Clinton administration claiming that Clinton too had underestimated potential threats of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil and he too failed to eliminate the Al Qaeda presence.
One concern about these claims is the effect it will have on the Bush campaign whose strongpoint lies in his execution of the war on terrorism. Clarke's accusations struck at the center of Bush's credentials on national security and could tear down Bush's political campaign strongpoint in executing the war on terrorism.
"This can't be good for Bush's campaign," Zepetello said. "If Bush keeps attacking him (Clarke), it might become a matter of Bush sounding as if he protests too much."
A Newsweek poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates reported that Bush's support from voters had fallen 13% after Clarke's book release and recent appearance before a 9/11 panel.
However, evidence recently reviewed by the 9/11 commission suggests that Bush left the issue of terrorism mostly to his top advisers who took no concrete action against Al Qaeda. According to the New York Times, reports show that Bush let the terrorism issue fall down the list of White House priorities from the high importance placed on it by national security aides during the Clinton administration.
The chairman and vice chairman of the commission will give Bush the chance to validate his actions and is expected to deliver a report on its findings in July.