White House admits Bush wrong about Iraqi nukes

Capitol Hill Blue ^ | July 8, 2003

[leftiesareloonie]

After weeks of denial, the White House Monday finally admitted President Bush lied in his January State of the Union Address when he claimed Iraq had sought significant quantities of uranium in Africa.

The acknowledgment came as a British parliamentary commission questioned the reliability of British intelligence about Saddam Hussein's efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

Bush said in his State of the Union address that the British government had learned that Saddam recently sought significant quantities of uranium in Africa.

The president's statement was incorrect because it was based on forged documents from the African nation of Niger, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer acknowledged.

An intelligence consultant who was present at two White House briefings where the uranium report was discussed confirmed that the President was told the intelligence was questionable and that his national security advisors urged him not to include the claim in his State of the Union address.

"The report had already been discredited," said Terrance J. Wilkinson, a CIA advisor present at two White House briefings. "This point was clearly made when the President was in the room during at least two of the briefings."

Bush's response was anger, Wilkinson said.

"He said that if the current operatives working for the CIA couldn't prove the story was true, then the agency had better find some who could," Wilkinson said. "He said he knew the story was true and so would the world after American troops secured the country." 

[leftiesareloonie]

Is this a reliable source? The troubling thing is that Wilkinson, whoever he is, goes on the record claiming to have been present at briefings where Bush basically say to hell with the evidence, I'm going with my gut.

I hope for Bush's sake and the GOP's sake this guy Wilkinson is not credible. If he is, and if others back him up, then Bush is probably a very deep trouble.

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[tdadams]

if others back him up, then Bush is probably a very deep trouble.

I agree. This could be Bush's Watergate. Seriously. And Capitol Hill Blue is a reputable mag. It's not the Weekly World News.

[Steven W.]

it also appears to be a mis-writing or mis-reading of words. Remember the origin of this was an errant document produced by the British MI6. As I recall Tenet stood behind it, too, to the degree that it was supplied by the Brits and we trusted them, only to later discover it had been manufactured in Niger, apparently by an over-zealous intelligence source who wanted to get paid for something. I suspect this supposed White House participant is likely a Clintonista holdover that should be out on the street looking for a new job in the immediate future.

[DoughtyOne]

I do hope this is bogus. Bush is doing the right thing in Iraq.

[OldFriend]

Clearly spinning an anti-Bush agenda. In his state of the union address the President mentioned that Britain had evidence of the Iraqi's trying to buy nuclear material from Nigeria.

Wouldn't want to offend the media by pointing out the FACTS tho.

[big gray tabby]

"He said he knew the story was true and so would the world after American troops secured the country."

Sorry, dude, but that doesn't qualify as a lie. It may be stupid and it may be reckless and pig-headed, but it's not a lie. And anyone who wants to prove "Bush lied" does not want this Wilkinson on the stand.

[Steven W.]

Capitol Hill Blue is NOT reliable & is just shy of World Weekly ... the guy who founded it is good of heart but their journalistic ethos are highly questionable and it wouldn't be the first time they've outright made things up.

[1Old Pro]

He didn't "LIE". He made a false statement based on poor intelligence.

[leftiesareloonie]

Maybe you are right. But if things went down as he claims and anybody else verifies his report, it won't matter I fear. If he's all out there making these claims himself, with no one supporting him and with others denying his claims, then it will blow over and itll go down as a failed attempt by Clintonista holdovers to get the president.

We'll see.

[Steven W.]

PS - recall that Capitol Hill Blue was one of those who outright got down on his knees and swallowed Sid Blumenthal's spin that Clinton was caught snorting cocaine with Monica in the oval office and that helped lead to Clinton's being let off the hook in the Senate because, by all other comparisons, obstruction of justice just didn't seem that severe anymore. So use the Clintonista's tactics against them, now that so many were burned first time around believing Capitol Hill Blue - when the lefties use this article to bash Bush, just remind them that they're using the same source that published similary questionable articles about Clinton.

[Steel Wolf]

Exactly. I'd give this guy as much credibility as the Nigerian uranium document at this point. The story sounds equally contrived.

[My2Cents]

The president's statement was incorrect because it was based on forged documents from the African nation of Niger,

This is hardly "lying."

[Jim Cane]

Clinton bombed pharmacuetical plants based on Monica's underdesk performace. If Bush lied, well at least he
toppled one of the world's first class jerks in the process, and isn't that what we wanted? A president
with better reasons to bomb other countries than covering up Oval Office
sodomy?

[rockfish59]

Sounds like more straw grabbing by the Dims!

Dimwits!

[metalboy]

Bush lied about Saddam wanting to get uranium or whatever for nukes? I don`t think so. Despite what Ari says, if anyone in their right mind doesn`t think Saddass wasn`t trying to get his mitts on nukes, then they ought to re-examine the history of this psycho. Now where are my donations?

[AppyPappy]

Bush did not lie. He said the British told him the Iraqis were obtaining nukes. That was the truth. They did tell him that.

[Monty22]

Who cares? I mean, honestly.. Is the world better off with or without Hussein in power there? I'd say without.

QED

[tdadams]

You're right. I have no idea why, but as I was typing 'Capitol Hill Blue' I was thinking 'Roll Call'. Two different things.

[CWOJackson]

You must have posted this in memory of a recently departed freeper who just loved this kind of story.

[My2Cents]

Sadly, from their perspective, no one reads "Capitol Hill Blue."

[Psycho_Bunny]

Um....I don't see a "lie" here.

This article is pure spin.

[dirtboy]

I agree. This could be Bush's Watergate. Seriously.

I seriously doubt that.

And Capitol Hill Blue is a reputable mag.

Yeah, they start out an article with this claim:

After weeks of denial, the White House Monday finally admitted President Bush lied

When this is what actually happened:

The president's statement was incorrect because it was based on forged documents from the African nation of Niger, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer acknowledged.

A reputable mag does not spin the story in the very first paragraph.

[sinkspur]

And Capitol Hill Blue is a reputable mag.

You're kidding, right?

Doug Thompson hates George W. Bush's guts.

The word "lie" above is itself a lie, since George Bush believed the information he had received was true.

[Rodney King]

Is this a reliable source? The troubling thing is that Wilkinson, whoever he is, goes on the record claiming to have been present at briefings where Bush basically say to hell with the evidence, I'm going with my gut. I hope for Bush's sake and the GOP's sake this guy Wilkinson is not credible. If he is, and if others back him up, then Bush is probably a very deep trouble.

Here's what I don't get: If you sit in on top secret natinal security meetings, are you really allowed to just go out and blab about them to the press?

[leftiesareloonie]

The only thing that gives one pause is the fact that there is a NAMED source who claims to have been AT PRESIDENTIAL BRIEFINGS.

That shouldn't be too hard to confirm or disconfirm.

I once heard Ellsworth on some show lamenting the fact that they weren't any "courageous insiders" as he called them will to "tell the truth that could only be told from the inside." Maybe this guy thinks he's an Ellsworth.

Maybe he's just a kook. Anybody ever heard anything about him?

[Guillermo]

I want to see the exact quote where the WH said "Bush lied".

In the SOTU address, Bush mentioned a British report about uranium. Where is the lie? Did the Brits not publish a report about Iraq trying to obtain uranium from Niger?

[Cyber Liberty]

Your check is in the mail. Really.

[My2Cents]

The buried cylotron and the plans to build a uranium-enrichment apparatus are proof enough that Saddam was interested in developing nukes, was hiding evidence from the inspectors, and was willing to wait-out the world.

[tdadams]

Do you read previous posts (as in #19) before you post?

[dead]

Capitol Hill Blue is fun to read, but so are Marvel Comics.

[onyx]

It's 'here-we-go-again' time!

Bush didn't "LIE" --- he stated 'facts' that he was assured were true at the time. Only of late, has the original 'top-secret' info been shown to be falsified.

Sheeeeeeeesh. Some people, (even here) act like salivating democrats lying in wait to "get" POTUS.

[dirtboy]

Doug Thompson hates George W. Bush's guts.

I believe that Doug sold CHB a few months ago. Looks like it's gone even further downhill since then.

[mict42]

Bush did not Lie!!! He repeated false information from British Intelligence. That is not lying. Get it straight guys and gals.

[sinkspur]

Do you read previous posts (as in #19) before you post?

How many do I have to read before I can respond?

Lighten up, td. It's no big deal.

[dirtboy]

Do you read previous posts (as in #19) before you post?

Do you check the time stamp of posts before you make such a demand?

[Spidey]

C'mon! Think about it.

The title of this piece is a lie in itself.

Did Thompson provide a quote from the White House saying Bush lied? No, of course not. Why? Because there wasn't one.

CHB is well known for it's leftie leanings.

But in his favor, at least he does provide a name this time, most of his stories cite "unnamed sources" just like the NY Slimes.

[OldFriend]

The named source is claiming that he deduced the claim was false. He had no concrete evidence or information.

Better to asssume the worst than pretend we're safe. Didn't 9/11 prove the falsity of that hope.

[Protagoras]

It depends on the what the meaning of is is.

[dirtboy]

Capitol Hill Blue Sold

From the article:

"We intend to use Blue as a test bed for new techniques and concepts for web journalism," Lowrey said.

New techniques and concepts? Salon tried this kind of nonsense already and look where it got them.

[eureka!]

"Capitol Hill Blue is NOT reliable & is just shy of World Weekly ... the guy who founded it is good of heart but their journalistic ethos are highly questionable and it wouldn't be the first time they've outright made things up."

I've enjoyed Thompson's rants but I have also gathered that he also hates Bush. This title pretty much confirms that...

[Mr. Bird]

Sounds like more straw grabbing by the Dims!

I don't think any of these claims of deception will get any traction with the voting public unless it is something so blatantly disgusting that no one can ignore it. Personally, I don't think the current president is capable of such malfeasance. But the bottom line is that the average American is still enraged over 9/11. And though the Left doesn't like it, and it may not be attractive, such rage has a way of alleviating concerns about killing a whole bunch of people who promise to kill you, your children, and everyone you care about.

When, in the days following the WTC/Pentagon attacks, people somberly recollected Japan's "waking the sleeping giant", they wrongly were referring to the American military. It is the American public that constitutes the once sleeping giant. And having been asleep for a half century, we're in no mood to return to bed so quickly...We will tolerate a great deal for our collective protection, and this president appears to be well-suited to these times.

[Steel Wolf]

Okay, here's the deal, eeeeveryone knows this:

Bush did lie. It's all about oil. We're in a quagmire. He and Osama were old college buddies. The whole war on terrorism is rigged. The Patriot Act abolished the Constitution. The war was revenge for Daddy Bush. Our tanks aren't within 100 miles of Baghdad. Bush is on a Zionist crusade to destroy Islam. Saddam never had WMD. Even if he did, they all magically disappeared, so the invasion was a fraud.

See, it's just that simple.

[justshe]

***The troubling thing is that Wilkinson, whoever he is, goes on the record claiming to have been present at briefings where Bush basically say to hell with the evidence, I'm going with my gut. ***

---

Any federal employee that comes out of a 'briefing' with the President (multiple briefings if THAT fact is correct) and proceeds to shoot his or her mouth off about the content of those private briefings, should be fired immediately.

I hope this jerk is no longer employed.

[justshe]

I think the Washington Dispatch is trying the same thing (re: a new type of publication). Although THEY are soliciting submissions from readers for publication.....all for no pay, you understand. WD bills their project as a newsletter to be delivered directly to your email address.

Wonder how they are making money....selling email addys perhaps?

[dead]

CHB is well known for it's leftie leanings.

Now come on! They are absolutely not known for their “leftist leanings.” They even got audited by Clinton's IRS.

They are factually-challenged conservatives who have an overriding hatred of the Bushes.

[deport]

The statement in question is as follows from the State of the Union Address:

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in the 1990s that Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program, had a design for a nuclear weapon and was working on five different methods of enriching uranium for a bomb. The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production. Saddam Hussein has not credibly explained these activities. He clearly has much to hide.

[justshe]

"...such rage has a way of alleviating concerns about killing a whole bunch of people who promise to kill you, your children, and everyone you care about."

---

Dennis Miller refers to this as a form of preemptive health care.

[Zavien Doombringer]

True, sort of like Worldnetdaily.com, which at one time I thought was a great web paper...wrong. I found out about FreeRepublic on WND and been here since, I haven't gone back to post or read like I used to.

[Mr. Bird]

I like that!