[seamus]

Well, this guy sure sounds cowed and contrite. He realizes he made a big mistake (two of them, actually). Perhaps it's time to cut him some slack, especially since Bush actually comes off looking good in the eyes of most observers, not worse.

Sure, the lefties on Err America are having fun, but they would make fun of anything Bush does. This is but a blip on the historical radar.

[keithtoo]

File this under 'DUHHHHHH!'

[ApesForEvolution]

Oh man.

[MisterRepublican]

"Friends" don't secretly tape your phone calls and later release them to the media to peddle a book.

[yellowdoghunter]

I agree. If he is truly remorseful and hands the tapes over I think it is time to let it go. Hopefully he will never make that mistake again.

[PianoMan]

I don't know about this guy, but the tapes sure backfired. All the lefties think it's a conspiracy because Bush comes off looking so good!

[FreePaul]

"Unlike other tape stories, this was not about catching someone doing something wrong but catching someone doing something right," Mr. Wead said.

True, but it doesn't change my impression of Mr. Wead. He obviously is sneaky and willing to take advantage of a friendship to advance himself. No thinking person will ever trust him again. He has had his fifteen minutes of fame. He just wanted it to last longer.

[blackie]

[sully777]

Defining hypocrisy:

Linda Tripp taped Monica and was villified by left. Friend tapes Bush and is lauded by the left.

Defining character:

Linda Tripp reveals Clinton. Friend reveals Bush.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Betrayal is betrayal.

[knuthom]

He realizes he made a big mistake...

I am not ready to cut him any slack. He had years to think about what he had done and come to that conclusion. I think this is a case of only wanting to do the right thing now because of other people's reactions. When it was only the book publishers (lefties?), he thought what he had done was just fine. Only after he got widespread criticism did he feel any remorse. Character is about doing what is right, regardless of other people's opinions.

[ishabibble]

Nope. Sorry's good, but it's not good enough. Especially in this case.

When I heard Mr. Wead on the CNN morning show, saying that he could have made a million if he had released this book during the campaign, but did it out of respect for the President and his family, I was just disgusted

[Caleb1411]

Let him refuse all royalties for the sale of his book. Then we'll know he's properly contrite.

[Ruth A.]

I'm not ready to "forgive" this guy yet, either. Doing something secretly means that you know it isn't proper. What does he mean about "vetting" the tapes before they are returned? Recall the books or keep no profit at all.

Pres. Bush in his restrained statements has shown his grandness. No nuts and sluts defense here as in the past presidency.

[Mercat]

Looking forward to Dummie Funnies version of how he was intimidated by the evil Bush family.

[Jalapeno]

This tape story is such non-news.

[AD from SpringBay]

I wonder if he regrets the tapes before or after he goes to the bank every week?

[Youngblood]

He's full of regrets, but he's still going to release a book partly based on them...

Moving swiftly along, I really hope this is the last time that someone makes a big deal out of a candidate/politician having a joint in their youth. Most kids try it at least once, most of them turn out just fine. There are a lot of hypocrites out there that love to seize upon red herrings like this.