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He signed the legislation that created the commission. He knew at that time that he'd need to co-operate with the commission and that it was likely that he'd be asked to be interviewed and that people on his national security staff would be asked. He spends time for political events and events honoring various people and groups. He finds time for that. And Cheney's schedule would be even more free. The issue is that they are going to have to defend this decision and it is not easy to defend to the public.

Few if any get unlimited access to a President. I do not think 1 hour is unreasonable. I believe if relevant questions remain after the session then the President would agree to another meeting. He just does not want to be caught in the middle of a wild goose chase where he is constantly hammered with meaningless points and accusations just for policical gain. Remember the NG story that still will not entirely go away despite the fact that he continually answered the questions.

The issue is that they are going to have to defend this decision and it is not easy to defend to the public.

I don't understand your point. Defend WHAT decision? Signing the legislation that set up the commision? Or are you talking about the 1 hour limitation?

I think it's real simple. Bush was in office less than 9 months when 9/11 happened. His FBI director had only been confirmed by Congress a few days before the event.

There were NO precursors, such as warnings, threats or similar attacks since Bush took office that would lead anyone to think that a specific act was immenent.

There was no hand off from the previous administration of intelligence indicating that Islamic terrorists were a specific threat against the continental US, just general information, and that almost entirely pointed to attacks overseas. In fact, the Clintonistas (and Kerry now) view terrorism as a law enforcement issue, not a military or intelligence issue. The Clinton Justice Department, and Clinton himself, made it very clear that they viewed "right wing Christians" and "right wing anti-Castro forces" and "gun nuts" as the real terrorist threats to the US.

Given all of this it is apparent that the press or the dims asking for more than an hour of this President's time is because they are grandstanding and trying to make partisan points.

If they want to know why 9/11 happened they need to spend their time with Clinton, Gore, Reno and mad Maddy Albright and find out what went on the 8 years they were in charge. They need to rake Church Commission members and their cheering section over the coals and demand they justify their actions and the blood on their hands. They need to confront Jimmy Carter and ask why he signed the laws that made it illegal for the CIA and the FBI to share information.

Anyone who wants to spend more than an hour with Bush or Cheney and hasn't already spent years digging into these things isn't interested in the truth.