Report: Gonzales Appears To Have Lied To Congress For Rice About Vetting Bush’s Pre-War Uranium Claims
Report: Gonzales Appears To Have Lied To Congress For Rice About Vetting Bush’s Pre-War Uranium Claims
In his January 2003 State of the Union address, as part of his effort to make the case for invading Iraq, President Bush infamously declared that “the British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.” The White House was later forced to repudiate the statement after former Ambassador Joseph Wilson blew the whistle on the claim.
As part of an investigation into pre-war intelligence claims, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence asked the White House to provide examples of times that the CIA had cleared such uranium references for use in speeches. On January 6, 2004, then-White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales sent a letter to Sen. John Rockefeller (D-WV) on behalf of Condoleezza Rice that claimed the CIA had “orally cleared” the uranium claim for two of Bush’s speeches.
But in a new memo, House Oversight Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) says that he has found evidence contradicting Gonzales’ assertions:
The information the Oversight Committee has received casts serious doubt on the veracity of the representations that Mr. Gonzales made on behalf of Dr. Rice. Contrary to Mr. Gonzales’s assertions, the Committee has received evidence that the CIA objected to the uranium claim in both speeches, resulting in its deletion from the President’s remarks.
When White House speechwriters tried to put the uranium claim into Bush’s Sept. 12, 2002 speech to UN, the CIA rejected it because it was “not sufficiently reliable to include it in the speech”:
During an interview with the Committee, John Gibson, who served as Director of Speechwriting for Foreign Policy at the National Security Council (NSC), stated that he tried to insert the uranium claim into this speech at the request of Michael Gerson, chief White House speechwriter, and Robert Joseph, the Senior Director for Proliferation Strategy, Counterproliferation, and Homeland Defense at the NSC. According to Mr. Gibson, the CIA rejected the uranium claim because it was “not sufficiently reliable to include it in the speech.” Mr. Gibson stated that the CIA “didn’t give that blessing,” the “CIA was not willing to clear that language,” and “[a]t the end of the day, they did not clear it.”
When National Security Council staff refused to take the uranium claim out of Bush’s Sept. 26, 2002 speech, Jami Miscik, the Deputy Director of Intelligence at the CIA, called Rice personally to request it be removed:
According to Ms. Miscik, the CIA’s reasons for rejecting the uranium claim “had been conveyed to the NSC counterparts” before the call, and Dr. Rice was “getting on the phone call with that information.” Ms. Miscik told Dr. Rice personally that the CIA was “recommending that it be taken out.” She also said “[i]t turned out to be a relatively short phone call” because “we both knew what the issues were and therefore were able to get to a very easy resolution of it.”
According to Waxman, Rice refused to testify to the Committee about the pre-war claims, so he is unable to say “how she would explain the seeming contradictions between her statements and those of Mr. Gonzales on her behalf and the statements made to the Committee bv senior CIA and NSC officials.”
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Now, what are you going to DO about it?
December 18th, 2008 at 7:02 pmIf their lips are moving, they are lying to you.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:11 pmReport: Gonzales And Rice Appear To Have Lied To Congress About Vetting Bush’s Pre-War Uranium Claims»
– - Commutations and pardons for everyone!! How Stanford can take Rice back as an employee is beyond me.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:12 pmWell we all know that lying liars tell lies – that is what they do. Little gonzo and condi have no integrity with anyone that has followed their public statements and actions over the past 8 years.
The mainstream media, however, has succeeded in largely throwing what they have said and done down the memory hold.
However, this is only possible because the democratic party has stood down, refused to hold anyone responsible, has repeatedly capitulated to the most unpopular president in US history, and won’t even enforce subpoenas.
We know who the liars are and we can blog about them all day, each and everyday (sometimes we do).
However, the bigger issue is why those that ran on “accountability” in 2006 have refused to provide any.
/crickets chirping
December 18th, 2008 at 7:20 pmWell gee! What a surprise!
(Sarcasm Off)
December 18th, 2008 at 7:20 pmAsked today about it, Alberto’s response was, “So?” and Dr. Rice clarified and expanded on his reply with “So what?.” Unfortunately, George Tenet couldn’t be reached, being poolside and plastered.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:21 pmAt the moment, I am sending a sternly worded letter to my Congressman and Senators.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:24 pmShocked are we? Look so much will come out this is small beans compared to what we will hear that took place right under our noses. Look these Law Makers were paid to follow and now playing dumb. Everyone knows who the players were and no need to speak to the Speaker of the House as she got her kick back money too. Remember this is 8 years of corruption with many being paid to cooperate with the scams being done to Americans and other around the World.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:29 pmWhy in hell is Waxman even holding these hearings if they don’t plan on doing anything about this and the other crimes they have exposed? All it is doing is really pissing me off and I suspect it’s pissing off most people here and in the progressive community.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:33 pmLiberalVoter
You mean like the faux outrage of conyers and the nasty notes he writes after the friday news dump?
Sorry, will be just as effective.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:34 pmBilbo – how many real progressives have been named to the Obama team, people with solid track records of achievement on liberal and progressive issues.
There are 2 repugs already…
December 18th, 2008 at 7:36 pmAnother Joe, yes, I was being sarcastic. I guess I was too subtle.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pmI’ve had patience for 8 years. I still have patience, especially now that THEY are on the way out. I believe the Democrats have a plan. The next 6 months will be very interesting. And I’m anticipating these 6 months as being far better than the last 96 months.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pmRice and Gonzo lied to Congress. Dick Cheney has now admitted to war crimes and yet there is no trial, no outrage, nothing? Can someone contact the UN and request help in prosecuting the war criminals that have run our government for the past 8 years?
Why the UN? Well obviously congress is going to do nothing.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pmI knew you were being sarcastic, but believe that we do need to make it clear. I accept the posts about all these lying liars, just don’t see how it helps at this point.
Liars will lie when they are giving free passes to and even “get out of jail free” cards.
There is a bigger story here.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:49 pmI believe the Democrats have a plan.
You mean after dur chimpfurher pardons them all?
Yeah…. sure, whatever, right…
December 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pmhardy – let’s be clear, its the DEMOCRATS in congress that have refused to do anything.
What will Obama do? I don’t know, but haven’t seen anything that looks promising yet.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:51 pmI understand, and share, the disgust that no one has been tried for war crimes. However we, as a nation, have suffered gravely because We the People allowed rash action based on a need for revenge. I was pretty gung-ho until it became apparent there were no WMD. (NOTE: I didn’t have net access in the months leading up to the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq.)
From where I sit, it would be unwise to pursue indictments while Bushco still holds power. And? I think it would be doubly unwise to announce policy when, in light of two occupations and a collapsing economy with criminals in the halls of power, we don’t even know which crisis will demand the most urgent action. Events are unfolding so rapidly that it’s impossible to predict what actions will be appropriate tomorrow, much less in a month.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pmLying is just what Kindasleezy DOES. However lying to Congress and impeding its ability to do its job is a FElONY and both she AND Gozo should go straight to F&&^^KING JAIL.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pmThese things that have come out regarding the Bush administration over the last two months are not new.
All of this has been out in one form or another for the last three years. They lied about everything. That’s it. No surprise.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:09 pmI’m sure Harry “Jellyfish” Reid will get right on it.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:14 pmI concur that we should wait until Bush has no pardon power, then slam them all with war crimes indictments and ship them off en masse to Den Hague.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pmI am shocked! That everyone doesn’t already accept the fact these liars lie all the time about everything and always have. I have read no less than eight books about their lies over the past eight years.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:20 pmIf these criminals are not brought to justice then the US will become a safe haven for Upper Class Political Criminals. Not to mention we’ll have about as much integrity as the Mob.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm#
Another Joe Says:
I believe the Democrats have a plan.
You mean after dur chimpfurher pardons them all?
You mean George The Simple can pardon them after Obama is President?
December 18th, 2008 at 8:29 pmuuuummmmmmmmm…..
no, livelongandprosper
He is gonna pardon everyone on the way out – if you think the crowd that overlooked everything up until this point are doing to do anything after the pardons….
Well, you do have a right to dream on…
December 18th, 2008 at 8:35 pmYou mean he can pardon them before they are indicted?
December 18th, 2008 at 8:38 pmyup
December 18th, 2008 at 8:42 pmAnd if you think democrats are going to challenge those pardons after looking the other way while the criminal cabal stole elections, enabled 9/11, looted the federal treasury, undermined the US Constitution & Bill of Rights, committed treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity…
Well, you have a right to any fantasy.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:44 pmYou’re bringing down. lol… I’m having another beer! Have a good night Joe.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:51 pmlivelongandprosper – save some brain cell though. Real progressives will have to get past the lies of the lying liars and find ways to work for positive change.
Are we going to see it from the new administration? I will try not to judge. But I will also state outright – HE RELIED ON PROGRESSIVE VOTES TO WIN THIS.
We need to demand more than rhetoric and excuses.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:57 pmThis do nothing congress!!!! >:|
December 18th, 2008 at 9:00 pmBIG NEWS FLASH—-
Bush Administration cronies were tried convicted and hanged for treason today stemming from their having LIED to the American public about the evidence leading this nation into one of it’s most embarrassing and shameful military actions in history.
That Rice and Beans lied is not news. She, the bloddied psychopath and he the venal absolutely corrupt crony. When will we see anything resembling genuine justice in this Banana Republic?
December 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm“Report: Gonzales And Rice Appear To Have Lied To Congress About Vetting Bush’s Pre-War Uranium Claims”
Gee, ya think? But, I am glad that Waxman caught the evidence on Rice on his way out as Chariman of the Oversight Committee. He was determined to nail Rice on perjury. Don’t pack up those Farragamo shoes for your trip to Kalifornia too fast, Girlfriday. As far as Gonzo, he is simply hosed. And another nail in graft for Fredo.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pmHere’s the agenda of a real progressive: return the Fairness Doctrine to break up the media conglomerates and restore something other than yellow journalism to the evening news. Reinstate PROGRESSIVE REDISTRIBUTIVE TAXATION, 70% on the wealthiest incomes. It worked for Roosevelt, it’ll work for Obama.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:08 pmkassandrasduplex – getting these objectives will demand peaceful, organized economic action. Many on the “advertise liberally” network will not accept this – the idea is ridiculed, and flamed, banned.
As long as the corporate media can pretend that we don’t matter – we don’t. Even if we, as individuals, decide not to support walmart, staples, applebees, home depot, best buy and the rest of the crowd that overwhelmingly underwrites the right-wingnut agenda – they don’t care. We don’t matter to them.
Organized boycotts that make it clear why sales are down is the only way to create positive change.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:12 pmSo what?
December 18th, 2008 at 9:31 pmPresidential pardons are not allowed in cases of impeachment. There is no other limitation on the granting of such pardons under the Constitution. This power to pardon is granted under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:41 pmthe buck toothed one is and has been such an embarrasment to the country. AS for the other guy….well,
December 18th, 2008 at 9:45 pmWaltTheMan – but the dems took it off the table, after running in 2006 with promises of “accountability.”
There will be no impeachment, he can pardon everyone for everything – blanket pardons that preempt our right to even know what the pardons are for.
Just like the dems (and Obama) capitulated to retro immunity to the telecoms without even letting us know what the immunity was for.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:55 pmIf they refuse to testify then lock their asses up until they do.
What’s the problem pelosi, reid?
December 18th, 2008 at 10:31 pmBut, but, but…
All of the intelligence agencies around the world knew that Saddam had WMD. That is all we need to know.
Confusing us with the facts serves no useful purpose. That is why we ignored what the UN inspection teams said about Saddam and there being no WMD and no reconstituted nuclear program in Iraq. The same goes for the missed warning that said “bin Laden determined to attack inside the US”.
Well, maybe not.
December 18th, 2008 at 10:33 pmchimpy and his gang are determined to rip the US to shreds.
chimpy is determined to make the US his.
December 18th, 2008 at 10:34 pmImpeach Secretary Rice right now, so that Bush can’t give her a pardon. Check the statute of limitations on lying to Congress and make sure Attorney General Eric Holder is ready to arrest Gonzo. But don’t tell anyone in the Bush administration, or he’ll issue a “premature pardonation”.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:19 pmmadmax Says:
——————————————————————————–
So what?
—
December 19th, 2008 at 12:02 amExactly. So why did you get all bent out of shape when we f ucked with your wife and kid? Oh and your buddy Goose as well. So what indeed…
I hope someone who can actually do something about these high crimes and misdemeaners finally takes notice of this story, before the government gets ruined. Maybe if Fitzgerald looked into then TV would jump on it and reality would win…
December 19th, 2008 at 12:16 am.
I want to see the Senate debate the ethos of being lied to…
.
December 19th, 2008 at 1:22 amThere will be no impeachment, he can pardon everyone for everything – blanket pardons that preempt our right to even know what the pardons are for.
I would argue that “No, he cannot grant blanket pardons to everyone for ‘any crimes they might have committed’.” My argument is that the president does not have the constitutional authority to remove his own constitutional responsibilities. In other words, he cannot just decide on his own that he doesn’t have to do something the Constitution says he has to do, or that he can do something the Constitution says he can’t. One of his constitutional responsibilities is to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Therefore, he cannot order people to break the law, and then say he has the constitutional authority to pardon them for it, because that would be the exact opposite of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed. (The exact opposite.) By the same argument, he cannot pardon himself for not fulfilling his constitutional obligation to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
Contrary to what Bush and Cheney have been going around the country saying, the president’s “primary responsibility” is NOT to “protect the American people”, it’s to protect the Constitution. Neither of these men have lifted a finger to protect it and, in fact, each has actively worked to destroy our constitutional form of government.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:42 amThe line between reality and fantasy is blurred for Republicans.
December 19th, 2008 at 7:01 amCan’t we get these slimy fools out of here before January 20? Why hasn’t Obama accepted the liberal mandate and immediately pushed for impeachment and war criminal proceedings against one and all in the Cheney/Bush Administration?
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog/
December 19th, 2008 at 7:53 amIf you read a story about black people getting hunted down, shot and killed with impunity, you’d think it was a story about post election Zimbabwe or antebellum America. But you’d be wrong: It’s a tale of post-Katrina New Orleans.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:03 amAs much as I’d like to see everyone in the Bush mis-Administration in orange jumpsuits, you know the Chimp is going to set the all-time record for presidential pardons once his residency in the White House is finally up next month. If I could have a wish fulfilled, and see just one of the Bush Administration convicted and imprisoned, undoubtedly it would be Darth Cheney.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:35 amBut Gonzo’s and Condi’s lies only led to the death or injury of hundreds of thousands of people. Now had they been caught lying about a blowjob, we’d have some news!
PEACE
December 19th, 2008 at 8:44 amIn fairness to Condi Rice, she was waaaay over her head as Secretary Of State. Furthermore, the “either ur with us or agin us” mentality of Cheney, cheerleader Bush, and the cast of characters that “were going to get it right” this time left no wiggle-room for dissent ie., labeled a traitor.
Rice and Powell drank the same kool-aid.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:47 amNext week is “Pardon Week.”
Traditionally (since his pa, anyway) the out-going sock-puppet bestows his plenary pardons during Xmas week.
Pardons guaranteed to Libby, Rove, Gonzales, Addington, and Yoo
December 19th, 2008 at 9:00 amIn Watergate, the abuses were civil. Nixon’s resignation was a clear penalty.
In Bush II, the sequel, the abuses include lying to Congress and the world. To leave these abuses without penalty is a signal to all future generations that this is acceptable and will not have consequences.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:41 amNotice how it is never a question of the responsibility or knowledge of the President. It is always a question of the speechwriter’s decision or the NSC or the CIA. Bush is just a fool who poorly reads whatever is handed him at any time. It is never a question of whether he should determine whether what he reads is true or false. Sometimes it is a PR question of what will sell.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:10 amDigg sarcastically calls this a shocker; I think its more of a shocker that Congress, upon learning that members of the White House had lied under oath in front of a congressional hearing, did nothing — when the proper course of action would have been to issue subpoenas and recall them in front of the congressional hearing, and directly address their lie so that it would be clear that they would be charged with perjury if they lied under oath again, then if they repeated their fraud, they should have been arrested *on the spot*, held for high crimes, and stripped of their position.
December 20th, 2008 at 4:42 am