Posted on 09/23/2006 5:14:12 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
WASHINGTON - Ex-President Bill Clinton exploded yesterday when asked why he didn't get Osama Bin Laden - and revealed that he had invasion plans drawn up to topple the Taliban and get Al Qaeda. Clinton was clearly annoyed when Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace said viewers had sent e-mails urging him to ask, "Why didn't you do more to put Bin Laden and Al Qaeda out of business?"
After a string of related questions, Clinton became red-faced and, in a finger-jabbbing tirade, blamed a conspiracy of media and right-wingers for trying to blame him for Bin Laden's survival.
When Wallace tried to cut in, Clinton cut him off: "You brought up the question, so you get an answer."
Clinton said that after the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole in 2000, "I had battle plans drawn to go into Afghanistan, overthrow the Taliban and launch a full-scale attack search for Bin Laden. But we needed basing rights in Uzbekistan, which we [only] got after 9/11. The CIA and the FBI refused to certify that Bin Laden was responsible."
He seemed to put the blame on the Bush White House that succeeded him yet didn't heed his warnings about the danger Bin Laden posed.
"All of President Bush's neocons that said I was too obsessed with Bin Laden; they had no meetings on Bin Laden for nine months after I left office," Clinton said, that is, not until after 9/11.
The former President concedes he missed Bin Laden.
"At least I tried. That's the difference in me and some, including all of the right-wingers who are attacking me now. They ridiculed me for trying. [The Bush administration] had eight months to try [and] they did not try. I tried. So I tried and failed," Clinton said.
After the segment, Clinton got in Wallace's face and told Wallace he would not get away with his line of questioning.
"There is no other way to say it, the former President lost it," said Wallace.
Clinton granted the interview to get attention for the Clinton Global Initiative, his philanthropic effort.
"CGI is a nonpartisan event, and so we thought it would be fair to do Fox News Sunday... When Wallace hid behind his viewers and attacked President Clinton's record on terror, President Clinton fought back hard, just like any Democrat should when they are attacked with a baseless attack," said Clinton spokesman Jay Carson.
Wallace responded, "My record and my performance speaks for itself. I ask probing questions of all sides."
FRANCE'S Defence Ministry has said a secret service report saying al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has died cannot be confirmed, but it will launch an inquiry into the leak of secret documents.
The Defence Ministry issued the statement after a French regional newspaper, L'Est Republicain, published a report quoting a French secret service report as saying Saudi Arabia is convinced bin Laden died of typhoid in Pakistan last month.
"The information published this morning in the L'Est Republicain newspaper relating to the supposed death of Osama bin Laden cannot be confirmed," the Defence Ministry said.
"The Defence Minister (Michele Alliot-Marie) has asked that an inquiry be carried out to determine the origin of the leak that can be punished by criminal charges."
The newspaper printed what it said was a copy of the report dated September 21 and said it was shown to President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and France's interior and defence ministers on the same day.
"According to a usually reliable source, the Saudi services are now convinced that Osama bin Laden is dead," the document said.
"The information gathered by the Saudis indicates that the head of al Qaeda was a victim while he was in Pakistan on August 23, 2006, of a very serious case of typhoid which led to a partial paralysis of his internal organs."
The report, which was stamped with a "confidential defence" label and the initials of the French secret service, said Saudi Arabia first heard the information on September 4 and that it was waiting for more details before making an official announcement.
A senior official in Pakistan said no foreign government had shared information with Pakistan that would back up the report of bin Laden's death.
Saudi-born bin Laden was based in Afghanistan until the Taliban government there was overthrown by US-backed forces in 2001.
Since then, US and Pakistani officials have regularly said they believe he is hiding somewhere on the rugged border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The last videotaped message released by bin Laden was in late 2004, but there have been several low quality audio tapes released this year.
Wagging his finger is a SURE sign of LYING!! well...that and his lips moved.
I have wanted to Duck taped Willie's mouth for over 30 years.
He has never changed. Same ole story and will be until he draws his last breath, and then will probably be making up a story as to why God should let him in the pearly gates.
Clinton threatened Wallace?
Bravo Chris Wallace.
The angrier clinton gets, the more outrageous his lie. Filthy Chicom mole.
Con artist. Duct tape isn't good enough.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
We know he tried, to sleep with everyone woman alive.
Now, remember who was co-president. Ask Hillary about her input on Bin Laden. Bubba said he discussed EVERYTHING with her.
I saw that clip. It was just like "Now you listen to me... I did not have sex with that woman." Except that it lasted a lot longer.
I'm thinking maybe NOT
Nice of him to admit his belief that Republicans shouldn't fight back hard when they are hit with baseless accusations.
According to your own clever words...
"I thought that my virtual obsession (2) with him was well placed and I was full of regret that I didn't get him."
bill clinton Sunday, Sept 3, 2002 Larry King Live
(thanks Mia T)
In the south, there is a saying: "Hit dog hollers". This means the person raising the most fuss when confronted is guilty......Poor Slick. He's having a harder and harder time slithering away from the truth. Enjoy you legacy!
Hillary was the one who gave orders to start the bombing in Serbia!!
Right now, Bill and his people are trying to decide whether to say that his behavior had something to do with his medication, or go with the, "he's telling the truth otherwise he wouldn't be so upset" story.
I wish I knew why the GOOD die young!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.