Barnes does Major Interview on Getting * in to TANG (60 Minutes?)

[RamboLiberal]

A bit more on Ben Barnes, the guy from Texas who got President Bush into the Guard way-back-when.

Apparently, the attacks on Kerry's war record just proved too much for him. As we've noted previously, for almost a decade now Barnes has gone to great lengths to avoid causing trouble for the president on the Guard matter. And the Bush folks in Texas have made it clear to him during this election cycle that if he spills the beans about the president that they'll do everything in their power to put him out of business in the state (Barnes is now a lobbyist). And that heat has, I'm told, increased dramatically in recent days.

But apparently those threats haven't done the trick because he has already taped a lengthy interview slated to appear in the not-too-distant future on a major national news show in which he'll describe the strings he pulled to keep Bush out of Vietnam and apparently more.

(Between you and me, according to my three sources on this, Barnes told his story to Dan Rather -- remember, the Texas connection -- for 60 Minutes.)

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

[lancdem]

1. I was just about to post this

BTW, anyone doubt he'll get the Richard Clarke treatment from the WH?

[fizzana]

8. The WH has to be very careful on this because Barnes can

also implicate Bush in the Lottery deal. Both their hands are apparently dirty on that one so it will be interesting.

At least the gloves are finally coming off.

[blm]

19. At least Barnes is accepting responsibility for his wrongdoings. Bush

will NEVER accept one iota of responsibility, especially if he can just sit on his throne behind his hatchetmen who are no doubt threatening every aspect of Barnes' life.

[Texas_Dem]

2. I feel sorry for Barnes

Because the Bush smear machine is going to go after him full bore. Perry, DeLay and the Gang of Liars will attack him mercilessly. It will definitely be an interesting interview.

[bossfish]

6. Maybe Barnes doesn't give a shit...

He's probably a pretty old guy by now.

Like Paul O'Neill. He's done his service.

[amber dog democrat]

15. How much credibility does that gang have ?

Perry and Delay are not names that open very many doors where I live.
Delay is already in white hot investigation and Perry is being attacked by others in his own party for his job.

Barnes needs to come out with this. I don't feel too sorry for him. I am still unhappy about his involvement with Freeport Macmoran's consortium to buy up environmentally sensitive land for speculation.

My sense is this would not have hit the airwaves any other way.
You KNOW the Chimp and his handlers won't like this coming out any more than Bush Sr. does.

[Texas_Dem]

21. How true!

LOL. You are correct. I suppose I was a little too kind to say I felt sorry for him, but maybe coming out now will help atone for some of his "miscalculations."

[madmax]

23. The price of honor and integrity.

He's doing the right thing.

[hatrack]

3. VERY cool - thanks for the heads-up!!

Suddenly, I know what I'll be doing Sunday PM!

[RamboLiberal]

9. Doesn't mean it will be on this Sunday

60 Minutes I believe is mostly in repeats - may be holding this one for season premiere which should be soon - but I doubt on Labor day weekend.

On edit - Salon article says a week from Sunday - that would make it Sept 12th.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. 'Between you and me' -- Josh really knows how to keep a secret!

lol

[michigandem2]

5. sweet...the focus will then be on *....and what he NEVER did...

all this coming out now is good actually...

[pennylane100]

7. I just read about it in Salon

It's going to be on 60 Minutes

http://salon.com/news/feature/2004/09/01/barnes60minutes/index.html

You can use a day pass to read the article if you are not a subscriber.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Do they say the show will air? n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. Oooooooooh!

I HOPE it's 60 Minutes. I acn't wait to see the show....I just hope I don't miss it.

[DemoTex]

12. Sounds like it airs Sunday 9/12.

.

[RamboLiberal]

16. That's right - Kickoff day for NFL football on CBS

And they will be advertising 60 Minutes premiere a ton that day. I would guess this is the story they will push! Just don't get frustrated if not on right at 7PM, remember the NFL games sometimes delay 60 Minutes for those of us in the East/Central time zones.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. Football games that run late.

Unfortunately, I'm familiar with them. Hubby lives for football and I HATE it. I'll be sure to tune in for 60 minutes. Thanks!

[maine_raptor]

20. which teams are playing? coud make a diference in ratings

[RamboLiberal]

22. CBS has the AFC and there are no AFC games at 4

So CBS may have some other sport at 4 - anyone know - US Open Tennis finals?

Here's the games that day.

Arizona at St. Louis, 1:00 pm Baltimore at Cleveland, 1:00 pm
Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 pm Detroit at Chicago, 1:00 pm
Jacksonville at Buffalo, 1:00 pm Oakland at Pittsburgh, 1:00 pm
San Diego at Houston, 1:00 pm Seattle at New Orleans, 1:00 pm
Tampa Bay at Washington, 1:00 pm Tennessee at Miami, 1:00 pm
Atlanta at San Francisco, 4:15 pm Dallas at Minnesota, 4:15 pm
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia, 4:15 pm Kansas City at Denver, 8:30 pm

http://www.nfl.com/schedules#week1

AFC teams on CBS that day are Baltimore, Cleveland, Cinn, NY Jets, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Oakland, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Houston, Tennessee, Miami.

And Tennis - whoo boy!

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Thank You! n/t

[RamboLiberal]

13. It's 60 Minutes

The campaign battle over Vietnam War records is still raging, but President Bush may soon be the one answering uncomfortable questions about his past service. Ben Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Texas, will finally break his silence and talk to the press about what role he played in helping Bush get a coveted slot in the Texas Air National Guard in 1968. Sources say Barnes has already sat down for a "60 Minutes" interview that will air a week from Sunday. A "60 Minutes" spokesperson declined to comment, saying the program does not discuss reports that are in progress.

Barnes made headlines last week when his videotaped comments that he was "very ashamed" of getting Bush into the National Guard began circulating on the Web. He said the remorse was prompted by a recent visit to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, where he saw the names of thousands of other young men who did not enjoy the connections of the Bush family. Barnes made his comments in May and the video was posted on a pro-Kerry Web site in June, but word of it only began to spread widely last Friday.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/09/01/barnes60minutes/print.html

[mmonk]

14. Maybe, just maybe

Kerry is right to pause on attacking while they disintegrate a little bit. Then him them hard and repetitively with what is revealed.

[gasperc]

24. yeah

:kick:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

25. OUTSTANDING

'