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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Bush Officials Deny Ridge Terror Claim

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(Newser) – Members of President Bush’s administration today denied accusations by former Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge in an upcoming book that the White House pressed him to raise the terror threat level ahead of the 2004 election. Former White House chief of staff Andrew Card and former homeland security adviser Fran Townsend both tell Politico that Bush officials did not try to use the threat level for political gain.

“We bent over backwards repeatedly and with great discipline to make sure politics did not influence any national security and homeland security decisions,” said Card. “The clear instructions were to make sure politics never influenced anything.” Added Townsend: “I’m a little mystified. Never in my experience did I see any political influence exerted on the cabinet secretary.”

Former White House chief of staff Andrew Card, second from right, is among those denying claims that Bush officials tried to raise the terror threat level for political gain.
Former White House chief of staff Andrew Card, second from right, is among those denying claims that Bush officials tried to raise the terror threat level for political gain.   (AP Photo)
Former White House chief of staff Andrew Card is seen at a 2007 dinner in Manchester, NH.
Former White House chief of staff Andrew Card is seen at a 2007 dinner in Manchester, NH.   (AP Photo)
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Under no circumstance was Tom Ridge or anyone else directed to change the threat level. It didn’t work that way, and it certainly didn’t work that way in 2004. It was always an apolitical process. - Fran Townsend, former Bush homeland security adviser

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17 comments
VIEWING:
 
Newser001
Aug 20, 09 6:58 PM CDT
What would you expect...?!! Reply
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
UrUndertaker
Aug 20, 09 7:55 PM CDT
Now now....There is only one sure way to know when GW Bush, D. Cheney, or any of the staff for those guys told a lie...see if their lips were moving or if they made an official white house release. If they did any of the above then and only then can we say without doubt they lied :)
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
rajanKazhmin
Aug 20, 09 7:05 PM CDT
LOL - If there is one thing that the Bush administration has earned, it is our trust. =P Reply
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+3
Bryanw55
Aug 20, 09 7:27 PM CDT
I guess this makes Tom Ridge the 849th disgruntled ex-employee to lie about the Bush Administration for personal gain:>) Reply
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
odowd80
Aug 20, 09 8:50 PM CDT
Yep, another bad apple! Only Bush, Cheney, and Rove tell the truth.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5

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