We have already described Richard Clarke as a fraud and a liar. More evidence arrived today in this story from The Hill, linked by Real Clear Politics:

Richard Clarke, who served as President Bush’s chief of counterterrorism, has claimed sole responsibility for approving flights of Saudi Arabian citizens, including members of Osama bin Laden’s family, from the United States immediately after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In an interview with The Hill yesterday, Clarke said, “I take responsibility for it. I don’t think it was a mistake, and I’d do it again. It didn’t get any higher than me. On 9-11, 9-12 and 9-13, many things didn’t get any higher than me. I decided it in consultation with the FBI."

This is newsworthy because it flatly contradicts what Clarke told the 9/11 Commission:

"The request came to me, and I refused to approve it," Clarke testified. "I suggested that it be routed to the FBI and that the FBI look at the names of the individuals who were going to be on the passenger manifest and that they approve it or not. I spoke with the — at the time — No. 2 person in the FBI, Dale Watson, and asked him to deal with this issue. The FBI then approved … the flight."

Clarke also testified that he wasn't sure who made the proposal to clear the Saudi flights, but "since you press me, the two possibilities that are most likely are either the Department of State or the White House chief of staff’s office." This suggestion had Congressional Democrats buzzing about the possibility of blaming the bin Ladens' exit on Andy Card, a hope that is now dashed.

Clarke expressed puzzlement over the controversy in his interview with The Hill: "This is a tempest in a teapot....It’s very funny that people on the Hill are now trying to second-guess the FBI investigation."

For once, I agree with Clarke.

ONE MORE THING: Since Michael Moore featured the decision to let bin Laden's relatives leave the country in his ridiculous "Fahrenheit 9/11" movie, I'm looking forward to his next "documentary," on the many sinister relationships between the Clarke and bin Laden families.

Posted by John at 01:49 PM  |    |  

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