We resent that remark!
Posted on 07/20/2004 4:43:44 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
Is there anyone more annoying than ultimate-establishment guy David Gergen, the man who has worked for four or five presidents, including Bill Clinton?
There he was on Today this morning, defending former Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger who has been accused of taking classified documents from the National Archives. And what was the source of Gergen's knowledge of the subject? He repeatedly made reference to statements made by "close associates" of . . . Berger! In other words, Gergen was nothing more than a shill for the Berger/Dem party line.
In fairness to Today, they led the show with this issue, and reported that the documents illegally taken were "highly critical reviews of Clinton admin handling of the "millenium threat" - Al Qaeda plans to attack the US.
That didn't deter Gergen, who began by claiming that "it's more innocent than it looks. Berger would never do anything to compromise national security. He is one of the heroes of this country in heading off terrorists attacks in 2000."
Amazingly, Katie responded with sarcastic incredulity: "If he was such a hero in stopping the 2000 attacks, why was the document he took so critical of Clinton admin handling of those threats?"
Gergen claimed that he took only copies of the originals and the the originals were there for the 9/11 Commission to review.
Gergen than went way beyond a mere defense of Berger's honesty and patriotism. He decided to perpetrate a smear of Republicans and by extension the Bush administration. Claimed Gergen: "It's rather suspicious to Berger's associates that the story would leak just before the 9/11 Commission report is due out. He's been investigated for months. A man of utter integrity who served this country well. This is a distraction from the findings of 9/11 Commission."
Couric: "So this is political?"
Gergen: "It has those overtones."
Couric: "Berger has been advising the Kerry campaign on foreign policy - how will this story affect that?"
Gergen: "It depends how it bounces in press. The Washington Post played it inside the paper [surprise!]. If it becomes a front page story there will be pressure on him to distance himself or take aleave from campaign." But not to worry, this "doesn't reflect on Sen. Kerry."
Then it was on to interviews regarding Arnold's 'girlie man' line.
Either some top CA Dems are intimidated by Arnold's popularity, or Dem Senate Majority Leader Don Perata actually has some sense.
He declined to get huffy and offended, saying "I didn't take it as an insult. He's had a good run, has been pretty cooperative. I wasn't offended and he doesn't need to apologize to me."
There was footage however from another Dem leader saying he wouldn't take a phone call from Arnold: "what should I say, 'yeah, I'm the guy who you called a scumbag and a girlie man. How are the kids?'"
Hugh Hewitt, a conservative talk show host who was present when Arnold made the remarks had the following to say: "The Dems are humor-challenged. They're upset Arnold has rolled them on every issue. His approval numbers are in 70% range, and will probably be in the 90% range after comments. What has happened is an overreaction by Sacramento insiders." He also made clear that Arnold hadn't, the Dem leader's suggestion notwithstanding, called anyone a 'scumbag.'
Couric: "Isn't Arnold losing credibility by failing to deliver on his promise of an on-time budget?"
Hewitt: "No, he's delivered on many promises - repealing car tax, reforming workers' comp, etc. Now he's telling Dems they must pay attention to spending, can't bankrupt state."
This is the Today show Gergen thread. I thought you'd be interested.
Today Show ping.
So the Rats will try to make this into another VRW conspiracy. Disgusting.
This Berger thing is going to leave a mark.
Every time Gergen is announced as a guest I turn the channel. What a weasel.
How pathetic that Katie Couric is tougher on national security issues than David Gergen. This is one guy who looks like the worm that he is.
We resent that remark!
If it isn't on the front page of the Washington Post, then it is nothing.
Sheesh a plague could be sweeping the Earth and if it isn't on the front page of the WP, it wouldn't concern Gergen.
Gergen is a 'Rat-faced piece of shiite.
And Berger is another henchman of the Clinton grifters.
In all of American history, no worse treason was committed at a higher level than during the Clinton administration.
This, is the Clinton Legacy.
Excellent observation.
Sandy Burglar: "I inadvertantly stole and unintentionally destroyed the documents pertaining to US security
for a very important reason: To protect the myself, the Clintons and our "Mistress of Cover-Up" Gorelick.
Which documents to steal, you ask? Documents showing incremental changes in the "facts" as they were changed over time.
Why steal them, you ask? Well, I finally got my own copy of Gorelick's book "Destruction of Evidence"."
BREAKING
THIS JUST IN -
FLASHBACK:
"I was summoned to the office of National Security adviser Sandy Berger,
who chewed me out for not having a national security adviser.
So I opened the next season with Anna Deavere Smith as the national security adviser" -
Aaron Sorkin 
"WELCOME TO THE REAL AMERICA WHERE CRIMINALS GET TO BE
CELEBRITIES AND CELEBRITIES GET AWAY WITH MURDER."
"TO DIE FOR" Columbia Pictures
ping
Nicely done.
Thanks LP. I was actually shocked by the lengths to which Gergen went to carry water for Berger and the Clinton admin and to smear the Republicans with his allegations that this has been trumped up for purposes of distracting attention from the 9/11 report.
But who hasn't accidentally had classified documents fall into their pants?
Awesome statement. The most corrupt and useless Administration in our history and there are idiots out there who would have voted for him a THIRD time if they could. Scary that there is so many idiots out there. BRRRRRRRRRRR!
Heck, when Bubba and Bore visited Los Alamos, look at all of the missile plans that stuck to them, with that pesky static cling, on their way out of the door!
THIS JUST IN -
We have [BREAKING] the photo of the actual transfer of the stolen-911-Archived-documents
stolen by Sandy [Burglar] Berger and secretly transferred from Sandy's underwear to the Impeached Clinton.
Gergen, you miserable excuse for an American, how the heck can you shill for these people?!
Well, they'll certainly never have to worry about being afflicted with testosterone poisoning.
Good point. Happens all the time. I was getting dressed this morning, looked down, and whaddya know? - the president's daily intelligence briefing from yesterday!
This is insane
Where would the Post/NY Times have played it if a Republican had been accused of stealing classified documents? </end rhetorical question>
Nice work, governs. Didn't know Gergen would be on and I would learn that, if it's not on the front page of the WaPo, I don't have to worry about it.
Not only would it be front page, but they'd give free delivery to make sure everyone got a copy.
(btw, I didn't mean to imply that it was in any way surprising. Insanity seems to rule the day(s))
One doesn't just forget about, misplace, or throw away classified documents. Whenever one has a class document out for study, the document is always on the top of your mind. It must be kept in plain view with an appropriate cover on it. You are responsible for it and for its safekeeping. Upon completion, you return it to the safe or vault that is its home. That's the way it works where i work.
This "I threw it out with the trash" is so much male bovine fecal effluvia.
Berger is going to get the John Deutch treatment. Maybe, just maybe a slap on the wrist, but no more than that. The rules for Clintonistas are different than the rules for everybody else. What would put you in jail puts Sandy Berger on TV with Gergen defending him.
Barf!
NYT had the Berger story on page A-17. No news, you know.
Was that pic of the see no evil monkeys photoshopped?
This is important:
Contrary to what Gergen claimed, Steve Doocy on Fox just stated that Berger took some ORIGINAL documents, not just copies. This is key because it means the documents he took would NOT have been available to the commission.
How did Gergen explain why Sandy was stuffing these documents down his pants?
I'm sure he didn't mean any harm - he just did it cuz it 'felt good'.
Secretary of Defense Cohen, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Albright, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger,
holding room of the Ronald Reagan Building, April 25, 1999
"We were all making comments we shouldn't have about how the meeting was getting very boring.
So finally we decided we had to make like the monkey. Cohen
started this 'hear no evil,' and then I was next so I spoke no evil,
then Madeleine saw no evil, so Sandy Berger said, 'I'm evil.'" - Bill Clinton
I saw that this morning.
If I recall correctly, Gergen's defense was that it was "a heck of a lot cheaper than Enzyte."
"I was actually shocked by the lengths to which Gergen went to carry water for Berger and the Clinton admin and to smear the Republicans...."
I just listened to this, and I cannot believe the spin. Does anyone know if Berger in fact took originals of any of the documents which have now gone missing? Gergen says no.
I just turned that into a Powerpoint poster. Thanks!
See my post above: according to Steve Doocy at Fox, Berger took originals, and even went back to the archives on a number of occasions to make sure he retrieved all copies of some documents, suggesting an intent to hide them from the commission.
Can't find a reference but didn't Sandy sit with Clinton during his testimony to the Commission. The press made a big deal out of Cheney and Bush appearing together but made Clinton sound like he went alone which we later learned was not true as he had his lawyer and I think Berger with him. Ol' Sandy was likely conspiring with Clinton to find out what the Commission had to plan their lies. The media provided nice cover since they likely have known since January that Berger was under investigation AND was appearing with Clinton in his hearing.
I thought that is what I heard. Thanks. Maybe Gergen has now made it into a front page story.
Central Time Zoner, eh?
Although I have no illusions about the Times' bias, I still can be shocked by this kind of blatant news manipulation, particularly when comparing the treatment of the story to the way the Times would undoubtedly have handled it if, say, the former Bush I NSA had been the culprit.
Who knew?
Good point. I like to analogize "political" moves to Adam Smith's notion of the invisible hand in free markets.
Capitalists, like politicians, don't do things out of the goodness of their hearts. But it serves the public interest by driving down prices and improving quality, in the former case, and getting useful information out, in the latter.
Snady?????? LOL
"Can't find a reference but didn't Sandy sit with Clinton during his testimony to the Commission. The press made a big deal out of Cheney and Bush appearing together but made Clinton sound like he went alone..."
I can't cite a specific reference, either, but Berger did "testify" with Slick, AND with Slick's WH counsel (can't remember his name).
Yup, CDT. I always watch for a report from you to see if it's worth turning on NBC. :)
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