CNN breaking: Hamilton and Kerey walk out of WH 911 commission meeting

[ElsewheresDaughter]

CNN NOW...was it was in disgust?...the session is still going on and lee hamilton and kerey left....holy shit!!!!

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Cause Bush is so Dumb?

Or some other reason?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Bob Kerrey?? and is this with shrub and Dick?

now?

On edit: I have to assume they ran into a stonewall and decided not to waste anymore time.

[Fenris]

8. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[Ediacara]

3. For those of us not glued to the TV :-)

Any reasons given? Are they going to hold a press conference? Anything else you can tell us?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

13. hell no reasons given....shit this is BIG...maybe Gonzales

:shrug:

[sus]

4. GOOD

for them.

[BlueEyedSon]

5. Cause their hour with the Prez is up.

[mouse7]

Could it be?

I'm waiting for the developments. Could this be the "biggie?"

[worldgonekrazy]

68. WOW! This is big!

I'm excited! Nice to see some commissioners showing some chutzpah...and kerrey and hamilton are the two more moderate dems too!

[Skinner]

6. Whoa!

Did they give a reason why?

[BeHereNow]

22. The stench of Bullshit was over whelming?

Or perhaps they went to get their hip wading boots?
They don't appreciate bad acting?
They don't like wasting their time?
Endless possibilities...
BHN

[Devils Advocate NZ]

45. They could see Cheney's lips move, and it spoiled the realism...

after that the ventriloquist act was just not funny any more :)

[BeHereNow]

59. ROLF!

GOOD one!
By the way, can I come live in NZ with you?
My friend is moving there next month, and I will miss her...
BHN

[KansDem]

61. Maybe they went to get some water...

to fill Cheney's glass just before they asked Bush questions...

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. maybe Bush was feeding Cheney too much information

:eyes:

[Wickerman]

17. Lol

that must be it. thanks for the chuckle

[meegbear]

9. Walk out ...

as in lunch or cigarette break or walk out like they're pissed.

[Ediacara]

11. I suspect that Kerrey and Hamilton aren't taking lunch at this time

Although ya, I'd like more info :-)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. left walked out like got in their car and drove away...meeting still going

[Gin]

20. I heard that CNN statement...didn't appear to me as a protest...just

said they left the white house. It will be interesting to see if they were ticked.

[CPschem]

10. whoa whoa whoa...

did they walk out EARLY? or just leave when time was up???

[H2O Man]

Fascinating, but unclear now......

...after they walked out, the White House said the hearing was over and that other commissioners were "mingling" ..... a few moments later, the White House said the hearing is still going on ..... it is not clear why they left. Could be big, could be small.

[Brotherjohn]

12. It's just over, people. They were supposed to have 3-4 hrs. Noon=3.5hrs.

You don't think were actually going to give them all day.

[Ediacara]

18. Possibly...

But why would CNN announce as breaking news, "two people exit building."? I doubt they would even report it unless they left before the session was over.

[Brotherjohn]

60. It's all they've got. No one's allowed inside. The thing's secret.

[Minstrel Boy]

21. Apparently not. CNN says the commission is still meeting. n/t

[Brotherjohn]

67. How would they know that? No one except the Commission and WH are allowed

... inside. I think that's pure conjecture.

Still, I agree it's possible that these members thought it was going nowhere (Bush stuck in "Evildoers! Suiciders!" mode), and just decided to leave.

I wouldn't say that's particularly big news, though. The whole "testimony" is a sham, and that would just be Kerry et als way of saying so.

[City Lights]

24. No, it's not over.

The meeting is still going on. Kerrey and Hamilton walked out and drove away.

[cjbuchanan]

14. Any word on why?

I can guess, but I would like to know more.

[guajira]

16. Too Bad, they are needed on the Commission

Lee Hamilton and Kerrey should be there to hear every word. Especially since this meeting is NOT being recorded - is NOT on the record!

Maybe an anonymous source will find a way to let us Americans know what is said. (Where is Woodward when you need him???)

[THUNDER HANDS]

23. I'm sure we'll know once they address the media

I'm guessing it's not because they were thrilled with Bush's answers and wanted to rush right out because they got everything they wanted.

[Ediacara]

28. Totally

I'm guessing there will be a press conference before 3:00 this afternoon...

[MidwestTransplant]

51. Totally

If nothing was wrong they wouldn't leave before everybody else. Not like they had something better to do today.

[MaineDem]

19. Dana Bash said...

it appeared they were breaking for lunch (press was told it was over). Kerrey and Hamilton left but no reason given. Back in session again.

So no one's talking, I guess.

[xultar]

25. HOLY SHIZNET.............

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

26. Even if they walked out in disgust, it isn't good that TWO WITNESSES

have left this meeting.

[THUNDER HANDS]

31. yeah but

as long as that Italian guy is still there. I forget his name.

[Ediacara]

36. Benviniste?

[THUNDER HANDS]

46. yeah that's him

I don't know where he's from, but I'd guess Jersey.

[leftchick]

52. Do you mean this fellow?

Richard Ben Veniste!

[Ediacara]

63. that's the one :-)

I just can't spell :-(

[leftchick]

70. me either..

thank God for google spell-check when you search! :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

44. I have to wonder what Hamilton had to do that was more important than

grilling Bush..another story says he left for another commitment.

[maddezmom]

57. I think Ben-Veniste is Greek

not positive though :shrug:

[Cooley Hurd]

79. Isn't he Jewish?

'Ben-Veniste' - isn't that like David Ben-Gurion?:shrug:

[tridim]

27. I love how CNN keeps showing the stock footage

of * and President Cheney, pretending that there are actually cameras and microphones in there today.

[Elbowroom]

30. this is good

this will draw more and more media attention....this will make the media focus on what was said and will keep them from down-playing it! noice!

[maddezmom]

29. Hamiltion had a previous engagement

~snip~
Lee H. Hamilton, Democratic vice chairman of the bipartisan panel, who had a previously scheduled appointment to attend, and commissioner Bob Kerrey, a former Democratic senator from Nebraska, were seen leaving the White House around noon.

~snip~

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-042904commish_wr,1,1646753.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Wonder why Bob Kerrey left?

[KansDem]

32. "Previous engagement???"

I would have thought that the magnitude of this meeting would clear anyone's calendar...:shrug:

[THUNDER HANDS]

33. yeah

what was he doing, getting a manicure?

[lancdem]

38. I was about to say the same thing

Wouldn't a meeting with POTUS be at the top of the list? Of course, this is Bush we're talking about - not exactly a lot of gravitas there ...

[tom_paine]

64. Sounds like one of Uncle Karl's Lies

"Yeah, ummm, Kerrey and Hamilton, yeah, they, uhhh, had someplace better to be. Yeah, yeah that's the ticket!"

:puke:

The stench of lies is revolting which emanates from the Imperial Palace of Amerika.

[0007]

77. The magnitude of this meeting is a as much a joke as it is worthless!

Who's shittin' who?

[Ediacara]

34. previous engagement?

What could possibly be more important than deposing the fucking president and vice president on a national security disaster!?

[underpants]

41. Maybe he didn't change his schedule 'cause he knew this was useless anyway

MAybe he knew they weren't going to hear anything of substance from the get go.

Just a thought.

This does tell me that they are expecting to have a briefing or really good notes on what was said.

[lancdem]

47. Of course, they aren't talking under oath

so they're not actually being deposed. But it's very strange. I can't imagine what, other than an emergency, should take precedence over this interview.

[glitch]

37. a previous engagement? on this day?

no words.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

39. meeting ended 12:45/50...they left before noon...here comes the spin

had an important meeting with Canadian PM...yeah right and pigs fly!

[Lex]

35. If Kerry and Hamilton left in disgust,

then they better get themselves out in front of a camera and tell what happened FIRST before Bush* and Rove and Hughes can starting running their lying mouths.

[jus_the_facts]

42. NO doubt.....sure hope they'll do just that!!

.....but I won't hold my breath! :evilfrown:

[rawstory]

40. LINK?

Do you have a link that actually -says- anything about disgust? The wire stories don't.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

49. should be in question form "was it in disgust?"...sorry my bad..

i posted it in question form in GD

[Joanne98]

43. CNN just said Hamilton was meeting Paul Martin

No word on Kerry

[maddezmom]

62. White House knew Hamilton had a previous engagement

Mr. Martin, who helped found the G20 as a decision-making forum among finance ministers, has made its expansion to the next level of political leadership a key goal. But the Bush administration has been lukewarm, as it has been on other multilateral initiatives.

The speech will be hosted by Lee Hamilton, a retired long-time Democratic member of Congress who is now vice-chairman of the commission examining the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Sources said Mr. Martin will meet with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle on April 29, and is also expected that day to meet Dennis Hastert, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Nancy Pelosi, the ranking Democrat in the House. Meetings are also being sought with the senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Republican Richard Lugar and Democrat Joseph Biden.

Before heading to the White House on the morning of April 30, Mr. Martin is scheduled to meet on global issues with NGO representatives.The meeting at the White House is now expected to last about 45 minutes, after which there will be a working lunch. It remains unclear which administration officials will be present in addition to the President. Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice are expected to attend, but others - such as Vice-President Dick Cheney - have not been confirmed.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040420/MARTIN20/TPNational/Canada

[rocktivity]

48. F******, YEAH! Absolutely fabulous, sweetie darling!

I guess they couldn't stand the sight of Cheney's hand up Bush's back anymore...

:headbang:
rocknation

[rawstory]

50. back?

lol...i think the hand was somewhere else...

[lancdem]

55. LOL

:evilgrin:

[Emboldened Chimp]

53. Don't know about Hamilton, but I'd guess Kerrey was KICKED OUT

Probably asked a tough question Chimpy didn't want asked; or better still, Kerrey probably mouthed off and pissed off the Boy King.

[leftchick]

58. I can hear Kerrey "the Bomber's" question now...

After you KNEW is was Al-Qaida that bombed the Cole Why didn't you BOMB Afghanistan?!?

[MetaTrope]

54. Were they carrying violin cases?

:nopity:

[demon67]

56. Perhaps they completed their allocated time

As with the public hearings, each members likely gets an allocated time to ask questions. Once your time is done, you can't really do anything but listen. Before being critical of their departure, answer this: How much of Bush/Cheney's BS could you listen to without being able to ask any questions?

[Judi Lynn]

65. Didn't know who Lee Hamilton is, so I grabbed a quick trip to google

This is the first thing I found:
Commissioner Biographies: Lee Hamilton - Vice Chair, 9/11 Commission



Lee H. Hamilton, Vice Chair
Lee Hamilton, vice chair, is president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Prior to becoming director of the Woodrow Wilson Center in 1999, Hamilton served for 34 years in Congress representing Indiana's Ninth District. During his tenure, he served as chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (now the Committee on International Relations), chaired the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East from the early 1970s until 1993, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran.


Hamilton also served as chair of the Joint Economic Committee, working to promote long-term economic growth and development. As chairman of the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress and a member of the House Standards of Official Conduct Committee, he was a primary draftsman of several House ethics reforms. Since leaving the House, Mr. Hamilton has served as a commissioner on the influential United States Commission on National Security in the 21st Century (the Hart-Rudman Commission), and was co-chair with former Senator Howard Baker of the Baker-Hamilton Commission to Investigate Certain Security Issues at Los Alamos. He is currently a member of the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council. Mr. Hamilton is a graduate of Depauw University and Indiana University law school, as well as the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and national awards for public service. Before his election to Congress, he practiced law in Chicago and Columbus, Indiana.

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-wfsection+article+articleid-626.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Does a man with THIS much responsibility on the commission sound like someone who would just keep an appointment somewhere else? I'll bet that part has been spun by the pResident's people.

[maddezmom]

69. He was meeting with Prime Minister Paul Martin

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040420/MARTIN20/TPNational/Canada

[Judi Lynn]

71. Gotcha! This is interesting. Martin's going to be busy here.

From the article:

The speech will be hosted by Lee Hamilton, a retired long-time Democratic member of Congress who is now vice-chairman of the commission examining the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Sources said Mr. Martin will meet with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle on April 29, and is also expected that day to meet Dennis Hastert, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Nancy Pelosi, the ranking Democrat in the House. Meetings are also being sought with the senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Republican Richard Lugar and Democrat Joseph Biden.

Before heading to the White House on the morning of April 30, Mr. Martin is scheduled to meet on global issues with NGO representatives.

The meeting at the White House is now expected to last about 45 minutes, after which there will be a working lunch. It remains unclear which administration officials will be present in addition to the President. Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice are expected to attend, but others - such as Vice-President Dick Cheney - have not been confirmed.

Does anyone remember that when _Bush met Martin before, he told Martin's press secretary that he had a "pretty face?" Holy moly. Hope Martin left him in Canada this time!

[Skittles]

72. WTF

and that was more important than meeting with the "president" regarding a NATIONAL SECURITY DISASTER ?????

[Buck Turgidson]

73. Bartcop doesn't think very much of Lee Hamilton

Hamilton gave Bush a pass on Iran-Contra, the motherlode of post-Hitler era global crimes.
Hamilton said, "No truth to the contra drug charges."
Hamilton joined in whitewashing other evidence...
Hamilton hid documentary evidence that Reagan/Bush colluded with the hostage takers.

Conclusion: Lee Hamilton must be working for the BFEE

[TacticalPeek]

75. I've always been very attracted to your . . . assistant.

She has the lovliest voice.


Welcome to DU, General!

:toast:

[Junkdrawer]

66. They had them packed like sardines....I'd guess they were making room...

Something like 20 people in a small office.

[hughee99]

74. WTF??

If they left because of the yarn that * was spinning then they should say so. I hope they don't stick with this "prior engagement BS"! This is they're job, they weren't hired to get to the bottom of this "as long as it fits into their schedule".

[LETSGETFREAKY]

76. I hope they tell us

But from what I understand they can only give those generic "Everyone was great" responses. Nothing substantive

[Mick Knox]

78. Two word: My ass! I dont believe Kerrey's BS at all

ok that was more than two words.