Gorelick-gate: 9/11 Commission Rocked by Scandal

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/14/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks may be about to implode amidst partisan recriminations and charges of conflict of interest, with the chairman House Judiciary Committee calling on one of the panel's leading members to resign.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., demanded on Wednesday that former Clinton administration deputy attorney general Jamie Gorelick resign from the investigation, charging that she "has an inherent conflict of interest as the author of this memo and as a government official at the center of the events in question."

The Gorelick memo, issued under the authority of the Justice Department in 1995, was blamed by Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday for hampering the ability of the FBI and CIA to cooperate in terrorist investigations.

Other aspects of Gorelick's tenure suggest more conflicts, such as questions about what role, if any, she played in advising President Clinton that there was no legal basis to extradite Osama bin Laden to the U.S. when he was offered by Sudan in 1996.

Another problem: Gorelick's lawfirm represents Saudi Prince Mohammed al Faisal, a potential defendant in the litigation being brought by the 9/11 families. A finding by the Commission that 9/11 was preventable could take some of the heat off of Gorelick's Saudi clients.

Commission Chairman Tom Kean, however, dismissed suggestions that Gorelick was unfit to serve on Wednesday, complaining that Sensenbrenner and other Commission critics should "stay out of our business."

Gorelick apparently enjoys a special relationship with Kean. She boasted last week that she was the only other commissioner besides Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton who had access to every one of the presidential daily briefings.

Gorelick's public conduct in recent days has only exacerbated perceptions of impropriety.

Last Thursday, when asked whether the Commission's finding would impact on the presidential election, Gorelick told MSNBC "Hardball" host Chris Matthews, "[The report] will raise some very fundamental issues."

Minutes later, Gorelick beamed as Matthews referred to her as a "former deputy attorney general [who] may well be attorney general again."

[alaskanfan]

I can only imagine the outrage that would be coming from the left if she were a conservative.

[b9]

Maybe this will finally wipe that insipid smirk off Gorelick's face.

[Smartass]

GORELICK, THE EARLY YEARS

[EGPWS]

I can only imagine the outrage that would be coming from the left if she were a conservative.

If it were to be brought out "in spades" by the mainstream press (fat chance) that there IS a conflict it would be Dubya's fault!

[tbeatty]

We already have it. Apparently Duck Hunting has more in common with Halliburton than the Deputy Attorney General Gorelicks memo has with the Justice Department.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Bush had to have known this about her from the beginning. Hehehe. Let's start asking some questions about the Clinton years. Let's talk about China and North Korea. Let talk about "Oil for Food". Let's talk about Marc Rich. Uh oh, Billy's made a miscalculation....

[EGPWS]

Commission Chairman Tom Kean, however, dismissed suggestions that Gorelick was unfit to serve on Wednesday, complaining that Sensenbrenner and other Commission critics should "stay out of our business."

Perhaps Mr. Kean should put more focus on her fitness for service Thursday through Tuesday!

[america-rules]

What's SICK is that if she was a GOPer the press would be running with the memo like it was WWIII !

[nutmeg]

bttt

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Even better, to top it off it came from John Ascroft, the only other Republican the Dems hate as much as Bush. It's too good. Warning: DO NOT PLAY POKER WITH GWB.

[Tall_Texan]

If she had been named "Cheneylick" and worked in the Bush administration would the media even attempt to portray her as objective?

[EGPWS]

What's SICK is that if she was a GOPer the press would be running with the memo like it was WWIII !

Sadly enough we are and they aren't.

[stocksthatgoup]

stay out of our business." Talk about balls.........I thought this commission was to represent the American People.

[EGPWS]

.........I thought this commission was to represent the American People.

There ya go thinkin' again! Don't you know when we do such a thing that it can only lead to frustration in Washington?

Relax, take your direction, and just listen and like good little sheeple we will be content and happy in the long run. /sarcasm

Jeepers, if I had the gumption to do such a thing, why I could run for office..on the liberal side of the isle. /fat chance

[Sapper26]

Find out if she owns any Haliburton stock. If she does, the left will demand her head.

[alaskanfan]

Are you kidding?

The Clinton administration was getting a kick back from the U.N. from the oil for taxpayer money program.

[ThomasPaine2000]

I don't know about any Haliburton stock, but she is on the board of Schlumberger, the #2 in their business.

[CyberAnt]

#1 - "Commission Chairman Tom Kean, however, dismissed suggestions that Gorelick was unfit to serve on Wednesday, complaining that Sensenbrenner and other Commission critics should 'stay out of our business'."

This is the main problem. THE DEMOCRATS ARE AT WAR WITH THE REPUBLICANS - but the repubs are not on a "war footing".

#2 - "Gorelick apparently enjoys a special relationship with Kean. She boasted last week that she was the only other commissioner besides Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton who had access to every one of the presidential daily briefings."

WHY IS THIS WOMAN ALLOWED SPECIAL ACCESS THAT NONE OF THE OTHERS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE - THIS IS MORE THAN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST - THIS IS OUTRAGEOUSLY DISGUSTING! Being a former AG is not enough explanation for me.

#3 - "Gorelick beamed as Matthews referred to her as a 'former deputy attorney general [who] may well be attorney general again'"

SO THIS IS WHAT HILLARY PROMISED JAMIE - IF SHE WOULD DO THIS DIRTY JOB AND TAKE DOWN BUSH - I'M SO MAD I'M READY TO SPIT NAILS.

This commission is a JOKE and I for one will not trust any "fundamental issues" they raise. If they even dare to imply that President Bush "knew" I'll tell you - the dems have never seen landslide like they're going to see in November.

Believe you me .. Commissioner Kean is going to hear from me.

[Brian Allen]

<< [United States of America's President and Armed-Forces Commander-In-Chief, George Walker] Bush had to have known this about her from the beginning.

Hehehe. >>

Why, what a naughty idea.

Fancy believing poor dumb and bumbling American President and Armed-Forces Commander-In-Chief, George Walker Bush, capable of playing politics like that.

Why next you know -- and particularly if he goes on faciliating his much-vauted superior opponents in the ripping off of their own arms and leggs -- and heads -- someone will be calling him the World Champion Jujitu* Politician -- or summit like that!

[As I already did, two and a half years ago]

*Jujitsu: the Japanese art of self-defense without weapons that depends for its efficiency largely upon the principle of making use of an opponent's own "strength" and "weight" to disable or injure him.

[Travis McGee]

This is so disgusting. The 'rats have no shame, the RINOs have no spines.

[backhoe]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1117579/posts
GORELICK GATE: Developing...
various FR links | 04-14-04 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[nopardons]

btt

[samtheman]

By the standards of this commission, Julius Streicher should have been a judge at the Nuremberg trials, not a defendent.

[freeangel]

That would be the democrat american people trying to nail Pres. Bush to the cross.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Kean is unfit to serve.

[stillafreemind]

Kudos to Mr. Sensenbrenner! I am soooo glad there is still a republican representative up there. Now..Lott, Delay..you all better get up and take a stand on this.

I think Gorelick should not only step down...but I think she should be put in the hot seat for a while. And while she's there..it would be kinda poetic justice to have Condi Rice ask HER a few little nagging questions!!LOL!!

Thanks for this post!

[Dante3]

bttt

[Homer1]

Excuse me, but is even (gutless) Drudge carrying this one?

ridiculous

[Mogollon]

What's SICK is that if she was a GOPer the press would be running with the memo like it was WWIII !

How is FNC doing with this? The hotel I'm staying at (Hilton) only has CNN so I can only get left-wing news.

[1Old Pro]

Gorelick has single handedly destroyed any credibility this commission "might" have had. This is typical of the Bush haters, they want to destroy him but end up destroying themselves.

What's up with Kean defending Gorelick, sheesh, the house of cards this commission has become is falling and the members are circling the wagons on the titanic.

[plain talk]

THE DEMOCRATS ARE AT WAR WITH THE REPUBLICANS - but the repubs are not on a "war footing".

One of the best statements I've read in a while. Sums it up well.

[Travis McGee]

info@9-11commission.gov

This was my email; please write your own and send it along. Let's bury them in mail!

Subject: Consider Your Reputations

It's an absolute disgrace that you are not asking the 100% compromised Ms. Gorelick to resign from your panel, and instead to sit as a witness under oath for her part in the 9-11 disaster.

Your commission is becoming a national laughingstock. All of your personal reputations will wind up in the sewer with Ms. Gorelick's if you cannot bring yourselves to demand that she step down.

America is watching this travesty!

Signed

My Real Name,
San Diego

[brityank]

Agreed; bury them. Also, copy your Representative and both Senators -- they 'work' for you too.

My Email:

To the Honorable Committee:

Please convey my thanks to Ms. Gorelick for proving that the Trojan Horse was not a mere figmented imagining of ancient history, but is a valued and present part of the political landscape in Washington.

As a Citizen and a Registered Voter, I demand that Ms. Gorelick be dismissed from her position on the Commission, and be brought to testify before it under oath. I also ask that a re-examination of several of your prior witnesses be conducted in light of her declassified memo presented by Mr. Ashcroft in his testimony of April 13, 2004.

Sincerely,
brityank's real name and address.

cc: Senator
Senator
Representative

[P.S. Finished the book; it's too short. LOL. Great read, nicely done.]

[Travis McGee]

BTTT!

[The Wizard]

she must step down

[conqueror]

Just followed up with my own message expressing similar sentiments.
Also in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo)

[AGreatPer]

I just have one question Ms. Gorlick.

Who ordered you to write the memo?

[Travis McGee]

Great, the more the better!

[Wolfstar]

Gorelick apparently enjoys a special relationship with Kean.

Hmmm... Maybe her name should be changed from Gore-lick to Kean-lick. (I usually try to be more respectful, but this is a special case.)

[Wolfstar]

How is FNC doing with this?

Not very well. Heck the biggest topic of the day among the chat-for-hire types on TV and many talk radio shows is that President Bush didn't do a "good job" in answering the questions about whether or not he made any mistakes.

Priorities, priorities. The same jackasses who bray about how President Bush, everyone in his administration, the CIA, and the FIB missed the "dot's" before 9/11, seem unable to get their own priorities straight.

[Timeout]

Other aspects of Gorelick's tenure suggest more conflicts, such as questions about what role, if any, she played in advising President Clinton that there was no legal basis to extradite Osama bin Laden to the U.S. when he was offered by Sudan in 1996.

I haven't read this anywhere else, have you?! I heard the panel ask Reno whether she told Clinton that...she said they'd have to go behind closed doors.

But where did THIS come from?! I'm intrigued.

[Shane]

You are so right. Every major media outlet would be beating the drums relentlessly. And of course the Republicans would acquiesce, don't want to ruffle any feathers don't you know. Disgusting!

[cwb]

Far be it for me to pat myself on the back:)...but I have been posting this same information here for almost two weeks now. From my original:

I've never understood why Jamie Gorelick was on this commission, asking others questions, when she should be before it answering questions. This is a woman who wasn't just a Deputy AG under Clinton...she also served as a Gereral Counsel for the DOD under him as well. This is especially important since the Clinton administration put such a premuium on legaleze when it came to the terrorist threat. Excuse me, but who better to discuss these constrictive legalities with than Clinton's top lawyers...both at the DOJ and DOD.

If you recall, one of the reasons that the Clinton administration didn't go after the Muslims charities in this country was specifically because Clinton's DOJ was worred about public perception and fears of being called racist. As Dick Morris has even pointed out, Clinton & Co, were more concerned with a PC critiria, than a national security criteria. Who better to answer these concerns than one of Clinton's top Deputy AGs...Jamie Gorelick.

Her position as a Counsel for the DOD is just as relevent. It was obvious that many military options had to go through legal channels before any action could be taken. Even after the bombings in Sudan and Afghanistan, it was Clinton's own lawyers (Gorelick?) who questioned the legallities of such actions. Far be it for me to defend Clinton...but just where was Clinton getting the ideas that he couldn't indict OBL with the Sudan offers...I've always heard you could indict a ham sandwich?

When our Predator drones located OBL via live wire, was it again these same lawyers, ala Gorelick, who were making these decisions not to take OBL out? It is now obvious that lawyers became the ultimate decisions makers in the Clinton administration...whether it was at the DoJ or the DoD; and Gorelick filled both those positions. These are all questions that need to be asked and answered...and the fact that a key witness in this equation is on this commission is suspicious at best.

[alaskanfan]

And of course the Republicans would acquiesce,

I'm so damned tired of the way Republicans are willing to give up their core values for a compromising position with the libs.

Like Anthony Hopkins said in The Legends Of The Fall.

screw 'em

[alaskanfan]

btt

[eleni121]

Totally on point! These spineless Republicans have nothing in common with the grassroots out here who demand principles above accommodation! They "reach out" and get slapped time and time again and the what do they do? Reach out again!---

[alaskanfan]

I'm so ashamed of the republicans........I'm too aggressive to be in their party.

WTH In the sixties and seventies they were considered hawks?????? What happened????

[TheLion]

Totally agree! About time conservatives took the gloves off and matched the Democrats rhetoric.

We the public demand it!

Stand up and fight or crawl in a hole and die....that will be the end result anyway!