The Facts About Bush and Harken: The president's story holds up under scrutiny.

National Review Online ^ | July 10, 2002 | Byron York

[deport]

for your reading pleasure

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks! Great article which I am sure the vast left wing liberal press corps will pick up -- NOT!

[deport]

Just hang onto it for use to refute some of the misinformation spread around this site...... It's way too long for the media to use in their reports but maybe just maybe a few will pick up on some of it.

[Dog Gone]

Releasing the details of these transactions will not hurt Bush in any way. The damage, if any, began with Krugman's hitpiece, and Adam Clymer's challenge to Bush at a photo op. And that's where the damage ended. These allegations are neither new nor damning, as long as they are looked at objectively.

[Torie]

Excellent piece, in fact a superb one that answers most of the questions about this transaction, including my questions. (I guess it is on to the issue of Bush being a toady of the CPA firms; the WSJ had some suprisingly negative comments about SEC chairman Pitt on its editorial page which shocked me, and it also thinks the audit and consulting functions should be split, and that the CPA firms are not getting their just desserts in resisting it as something more onerous comes down the pike.) The only thing not addressed is the charge that Bush knew that Harken had financially restructed itself in May, 1990, and had to pay very high interest rates that compromised its future profitability.

The most exculpatory fact brought out here is that someone approached Bush to sell, not Bush himself initiating the sale. It is odd that has not been brought out before. That is the sort of thing that even Joe Six Pack can readily understand is exculpatory, at least of evil intent if not in and of itself of all attendant legal issues.

[ohioWfan]

Even so, it's probably safe to expect the president's opponents to keep hammering away on the Harken issue.

Keep on hammering, fellas! The harder you try to smear him, the better George W. Bush looks!

Thanks for the ping, FWI!

[deport]

The most exculpatory fact brought out here is that someone approached Bush to sell, not Bush himself initiating the sale.

Dont' know who this is referring to. But I did read in some article which I could not link you to now that Bush's accountant or adviser was pushing him to pay off the loan to the Midland bank which he had gotten to buy into the Rangers. That maybe the one they are referring to. Just an observation.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

You're right and you're welcome!

[Howlin]

The most exculpatory fact brought out here is that someone approached Bush to sell, not Bush himself initiating the sale. It is odd that has not been brought out before. That is the sort of thing that even Joe Six Pack can readily understand is exculpatory, at least of evil intent if not in and of itself of all attendant legal issues.

Somebody needs to tell John McCain that; he was on Hardball tonight, saying that Bush should just come forward with the facts so everybody will know what happens. Apparently Bush has done so; he waived his attorney-client privilege when these charges first came about, his attorneys and the corporation's attorneys. But the beat goes on...

[olliemb]

Do you think we can all get together and buy stock so as to boost the market? HEHEHE maybe one share!!! But seriously if they allowed the administration to invest in the stock market they probably could save it. HEHEHE Do you think that the democrats all sold and are not intentionally buying stock so as to make the market worse??? Silly thought but it keeps crossing my mind,

[jwalsh07]

If Byron York knew this, Paul Krugman knew it. That makes Paul Krugman a lying, sleazy son of a bitch and I will be apprising him of that fact.

What Joe Sixpack also understands instinctively is that people who give up their attorney/client privilege have nothing to hide.

As usual the right side lags the wrong side in slam bam thank you Maam knowhow.

[McLynnan]

Oh, don't even talk to me about stock. If I buy it, it's guaranteed the company will tank.