Bold Action!
Reported by Melanie - August 2, 2004 -
Three minutes into today's (August 2, 2004) Dayside w/Linda Vester, Fox went to a live briefing at the White House with Bush's Chief of Staff Andy Card and Nat'l Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. (The two other 24-hour cable news networks, MSNBC and CNN, did too.) The briefing was called to discuss new anti-terror proposals being made by "the President" in response to the 9/11 Commission's report.
After near wall to wall fear mongering this morning on American television stations, Card talked about meetings that have taken place over the past several days at the White House concerning recommendations made in the 9/11 Commission's report.
Though the White House opposed establishing the 9/11 Commission; did much to keep information from it; and responded in a nonchalant way when the Commission's report was released in late July, it seems now to have decided to seize the moment and make the most of the situation.
Card talked about the "bold action" the president took here, the "bold action" he wants to take there, and the "bold action" he wants to take everywhere. Card reassured the public that "this has nothing to do with politics." Condi Rice talked about making sure "the war figher" in the field has everything they need and Card said something about the fact that they've "learned the benefit of the Patriot Act."
Card said Bush wants to appoint a new terror czar who would not be based in the White House because the department will be quite large, and offices and staff just wouldn't fit inside the building.* Card said the new czar would have the "same relationship [to the President] as the Secretary of Defense" or other cabinet members.
According to Card, Bush wants to act "very quickly," we need to "get it right," and to "have it happen quickly."
When asked what kind of background (academic, congressional, etc.) the new czar would likely have, Card responded that it "would be someone who has the confidence of the President of the United States;" that the government "has to function with one voice."**
COMMENT: Several members of the House and Senate have said that they passed the Patriot Act in a state of fear and near panic right after September 11, 2001, and that they have regrets about that now. I hope this time, all members of congress will keep their head, read all bills, and vote only with full knowledge and understanding on anything having to do with Bush's proposals. I suggest we citizens follow up with our representatives to be sure they do.
* This morning, pundits were acting as if the White House was the bastion of fairness by wanting to keep this new office separate from it. Card's explanation was clear: There literally is no room inside the White House for a department which will be as big as this proposed new one. Don't let the pundits get away with spinning it any other way.
** The government should "function with one voice?" No. There should be many voices within the government and, above all, there should be checks and balances!
Lastly, I predict we'll be hearing the words "bold action" quite a lot in the coming weeks. Great campaign theme, huh?
