Bush admin pressured ex-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge to raise terror warnings pre-election

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bush admin pressured ex-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge to raise terror warnings pre-election

Top advisers to George W. Bush pressed for a politically-motivated terror alert a few days before the 2004 election, ex-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge charges in a new book.

In a chapter of “The Test Of Our Times” titled “The Politics of Terrorism,” Ridge alleges ex-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and ex-Attorney General John Ashcroft argued for an Orange Alert — or “high” threat — because of an Oct. 29, 2004, video by Osama Bin Laden

“Ashcroft strongly urged an increase in the threat level and was supported by Rumsfeld,” Ridge writes in the book due out Sept. 1 by St. Martin’s Press.

No intelligence hinted of a new attack. Ridge aides objected to the White House and no change was made to the threat level.

Mark Corallo, Ashcroft’s spokesman in 2004, denied the ex-AG played politics with national security, and said Ridge should “use his emergency duct tape” on himself.

But exhaustive research by the Daily News in 2004 found that Ashcroft’s Justice Department rolled out terrorism announcements frequently to give Bush a boost in the polls against Democrat John Kerry.

Ridge’s first hint that Bush political aides were leveraging fear of terror attacks — an issue where Bush polled well — came in May 2004.

Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller held a press conference to warn about American-Al Qaeda Adam Gadahn and other suspects.

A top source said the Bush White House orchestrated the event. The red-faced FBI chief would appear with Ashcroft only once more.

But even Ashcroft had limits. He rebuffed a close aide’s request to make announcements of indictments and “be-on-the-lookouts” for terror suspects in political battleground states, a top Justice source told The News.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2...l#ixzz0OmMLYzSg

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Typical ** tactic. W needed to do something to insure his re-election so he could concentrate on destroying the economy since the two wars he started weren't going so well.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well the color coded scale was virtually useless for use as anything but a political tool.

Kinda figures really.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Paul O'Neil, who worked under the Ford Administration and the Bush Administration on National Security, said the Bush Administration was all political.

They raised the threat level 3 days after the Democratic Convention in 2004, when Kerry was in an upward swing and his numbers flat-lined. The polls had shown clearly that on national security, they had most confidence in the Bush Administration than if Kerry were elected.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Paul O'Neil, who worked under the Ford Administration and the Bush Administration on National Security, said the Bush Administration was all political.

They raised the threat level 3 days after the Democratic Convention in 2004, when Kerry was in an upward swing and his numbers flat-lined. The polls had shown clearly that on national security, they had most confidence in the Bush Administration than if Kerry were elected.

The entire basis of the Bush administration's 2004 election campaign was on national security.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Is anyone suprised by this?

[Tahoma 2,292]

It is illegal to manipulate a Department of the Executive Branch for political purposes.

To anyone paying attention at the time, it was apparent that the Bush Administration was more concerned with reelection than with following the law.

The Bush Administration shredded Tom Ridge's credibility, just like they did with Colin Powell.

They also put this country in danger with their "boy who cried wolf" tricks.

To their credit, they worked hard for the title of "Worst Administration in U.S. History."

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is illegal to manipulate a Department of the Executive Branch for political purposes.

To anyone paying attention at the time, it was apparent that the Bush Administration was more concerned with reelection than with following the law.

The Bush Administration shredded Tom Ridge's credibility, just like they did with Colin Powell.

They also put this country in danger with their "boy who cried wolf" tricks.

To their credit, they worked hard for the title of "Worst Administration in U.S. History."

What was it Nixon said:

"If the President does it, that means its not illegal".

[zqt3344 21]

What the hell Ridge went right along with it, he was complicit in doing it, now it is blame the other guy stuff, weak!

Bush admin pressured ex-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge to raise terror warnings pre-election

Top advisers to George W. Bush pressed for a politically-motivated terror alert a few days before the 2004 election, ex-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge charges in a new book.

In a chapter of “The Test Of Our Times” titled “The Politics of Terrorism,” Ridge alleges ex-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and ex-Attorney General John Ashcroft argued for an Orange Alert — or “high” threat — because of an Oct. 29, 2004, video by Osama Bin Laden

“Ashcroft strongly urged an increase in the threat level and was supported by Rumsfeld,” Ridge writes in the book due out Sept. 1 by St. Martin’s Press.

No intelligence hinted of a new attack. Ridge aides objected to the White House and no change was made to the threat level.

Mark Corallo, Ashcroft’s spokesman in 2004, denied the ex-AG played politics with national security, and said Ridge should “use his emergency duct tape” on himself.

But exhaustive research by the Daily News in 2004 found that Ashcroft’s Justice Department rolled out terrorism announcements frequently to give Bush a boost in the polls against Democrat John Kerry.

Ridge’s first hint that Bush political aides were leveraging fear of terror attacks — an issue where Bush polled well — came in May 2004.

Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller held a press conference to warn about American-Al Qaeda Adam Gadahn and other suspects.

A top source said the Bush White House orchestrated the event. The red-faced FBI chief would appear with Ashcroft only once more.

But even Ashcroft had limits. He rebuffed a close aide’s request to make announcements of indictments and “be-on-the-lookouts” for terror suspects in political battleground states, a top Justice source told The News.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2...l#ixzz0OmMLYzSg

[zqt3344 21]

Color codes??? Did anyone ever pay attention to that sorry a$$ BS! I mean come on, what a joke! And like you could rely of the same government that had already screwed up on national security with Condor Rice! That was sheer lunacy those color codes and a total joke!

Well the color coded scale was virtually useless for use as anything but a political tool.

Kinda figures really.

[Tahoma 2,292]

It is illegal to manipulate a Department of the Executive Branch for political purposes.

To anyone paying attention at the time, it was apparent that the Bush Administration was more concerned with reelection than with following the law.

The Bush Administration shredded Tom Ridge's credibility, just like they did with Colin Powell.

They also put this country in danger with their "boy who cried wolf" tricks.

To their credit, they worked hard for the title of "Worst Administration in U.S. History."

What was it Nixon said:

"If the President does it, that means its not illegal".

"I am not a crook."

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The VJ trolls are out in full force this morning.

[zqt3344 21]

I am not a racist but police acted stupidly against my black brother friend who was shouting and verbally assaulting the policeman! Now lets all make nice and go have a beer to cover my a$$!

It is illegal to manipulate a Department of the Executive Branch for political purposes.

To anyone paying attention at the time, it was apparent that the Bush Administration was more concerned with reelection than with following the law.

The Bush Administration shredded Tom Ridge's credibility, just like they did with Colin Powell.

They also put this country in danger with their "boy who cried wolf" tricks.

To their credit, they worked hard for the title of "Worst Administration in U.S. History."

What was it Nixon said:

"If the President does it, that means its not illegal".

"I am not a crook."

Agreed, wacked out liberal luney tunes!

The VJ trolls are out in full force this morning.

[Tahoma 2,292]

What the hell Ridge went right along with it, he was complicit in doing it, now it is blame the other guy stuff, weak!

I see you agree that the Bush Administration illegally manipulated the Justice Department for political purposes.

By the way, Tom Ridge resigned from the Department of Homeland Security.

[zqt3344 21]

[

I see you agree that the Bush Administration illegally manipulated the Justice Department for political purposes.

By the way, Tom Ridge resigned from the Department of Homeland Security.

Come on sure Bush Admin did. BUT what about the Ovomit administration not pursuing voter fraud of ACORN, not prosecuting Black Panther in Philadelphia for voter fraud, and removing an Inspector General from investigating the mayor of Sacramento, CA for illegal fraudulent use of government funds, oh the mayor is black and he is friends of Ovomit!

This guy is dirty and being from Chicago, only worse is yet to come!