A potentially explosive charge

Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:22 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans, Security

From NBC's Mark Murray
U.S News' Washington Whispers reports that former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has an upcoming book claiming that he was pushed to raise the DHS security alert before the 2004 presidential election.

If true, it would be a explosive (and not-so surprising) charge.

Paul Bedard writes:

Tom Ridge, the first head of the 9/11-inspired Department of Homeland Security, wasn't keen on writing a tell-all. But in The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...and How We Can Be Safe Again, out September 1, Ridge says he wants to shake "public complacency" over security. And to do that, well, he needs to tell all. Especially about the infighting he saw that frustrated his attempts to build a smooth-running department. Among the headlines promoted by publisher Thomas Dunne Books: Ridge was never invited to sit in on National Security Council meetings; was "blindsided" by the FBI in morning Oval Office meetings because the agency withheld critical information from him; found his urgings to block Michael Brown from being named head of the emergency agency blamed for the Hurricane Katrina disaster ignored; and was pushed to raise the security alert on the eve of President Bush's re-election, something he saw as politically motivated and worth resigning over.

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Comments

Wahhh. Sour grapes. He knew what he was getting into when he joined this band of theives. Just confirms what we already knew.

Dave, Il (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:27 AM)

Perfect timing for the Obama and the Democrats! What better way to distract people from all their failures but to have a good old fashion Witch Hunt!

She's A Witch (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:30 AM)

BAD, BAD BUSH .... GOOD, GOOD OBAMA!

Political Infighting is Tough, Tough, Tough!

'CRY ALL' or 'TELL ALL' ... ? (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:31 AM)

So funny how the truth is leaking out now as the former Bushleague idiots do their tell all books to make money. I'm not surprised that Tyrants Bush and Cheney wanted to raise the alert level to make sure they scared people into voting for them instead of John Kerry, a real war hero. Just another example of how the repugnant ones used their political power to maintain their political power. A dirty trick that Tricky Dick Nixon would have been proud of.

Prosecute War Criminals Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:31 AM)

Wow. Someone was "pushed", pushed by who it doesn't say, to change the alert level that no one understood.

Sure sounds like another Watergate to me.

The Alert Level Is Mauve (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:33 AM)

"There is a pandemic sweeping through the Republican Party........... – that has become known as the Whine Flu -

So far this pandemic has only infected people with low IQ Scores, typically known as the low information voters; the majority of cases reported have been located on the southern borders and in rural areas...

Laboratory research was done on the Wasilla Hillbillies of Alaska. Many of these people have indicated that once the RNC vaccination was taken severe side effects occurred. These side effects include illiteracy, stupidity and many experts noted their cell count would indicate high levels of ignorance...

Until the Department of Education has an opportunity to look over these cases 40% of population will remain quarantined at the mental institution known as FOX NEWS."
Breaking News!!!!

Hey Breaking News - Most excellent comment that has me laughing to no end. How true your Whine Flu pandemic is. I've always said that fox and freaks is nothing but a televised mental institution. Now if we can only quarantine the kooks at fox and freaks so they don't spread their Whine Flu to the townhall meetings of sane people trying to discuss real issues.

Stop the Whine Flu Pandemic!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:33 AM)

Yeah big surprise that Bush and Darth Vador used those color coded fear mongering tools to get relected. The Supreme court got them elected in 2000. So I guess lying and demogueory was the only thing left. Nothing like using 911 again to get the right wing on board as well as the ignorant masses who are clueless like Pavolv's dogs

Juan, Ft Lauderdale,Fl (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:34 AM)

What is it with politicians from Pennsylvania? They all required to take a Stupid Pill?

Jake Watson, Pittsburgh (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:34 AM)

Hey First Read crew - thanks for the heads up on your vacation plans next week. Now go do your vacation correctly by ignoring work and enjoying your vacation. As much as we'll miss you make sure to just enjoy your time off while you can. When you get back you'll be way busy again so don't mess up your well deserved vacation plans.

In First Read We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:36 AM)

Now how many conservatives will be "outraged" by this and scream at a Republican today about this violation of their "liberty"?

Not one.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:36 AM)

Holy crap Batman, someone doing things that are politically motivated? Like falsifying National Guard records? Like bringing up decades old possible drunk driving charges? Like saying this is the worst economy since the Great Depression? Like saying the government will never buy an automaker? Like saying Free Government Run Health Care Won't Cost Anything? Say it ain't so Batman!

Robin (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:38 AM)

Not so surprising charge is right!

Who can forget the Bin Laden tape that surfaced a couple of weeks before the election?

I’ll give the Dick & his crony’s credit for the superb sense of timing…

Nothing drums up votes from the LOW information voters like a DHS security alert stuck on code be so SCARED you’ll sh!t yourself!

In First Read We Trust!
Wisconsingirl Says California Cheese is the Best!
Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:00 AM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That’s because you have ‘happy’ cows Eric!

If you catch my drift… ;0)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:40 AM)

It's good to finally get at the truth, but it would certainly be more beneficial to Americans to know the truth while changes can be made and not years later when nothing can be done. Then, again, politicians really have an interesting relationship with facts/truth ("death panels" "pulling the plug on grandma" etc.).

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:41 AM)

"something he saw as politically motivated and worth resigning over."

You mean there's political games being played by bureaucrat lifers? shocking! I hear the other thing he's gunna 'break' in his book is that there are gaters in Florida

Ok so "he saw it that way", but didn't UBL release a new tape about the same time? Wasn't the "CW" <-laugh laugh at the time that those tapes usually preceded an attack of some kind?

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:42 AM)

The sad thing is that all the people who are most worried about losing our democracy to health care reform won't even blink an eye at the admission that President Bush's administration used its position to manipulate voting. Has there been any revelation showing something positive for democracy that happened under that administration?

let it be (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:43 AM)

Sickening.

Billy, MI (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:43 AM)

What? No story about Obama's "Rove", David Axelrod benefitting by millions of dollars of income to advertising firms he's tied into? Appears ol'Dave is making millions off the Obama administration spending money to the very advertising firms Axelrod owns to promote Obama's health care plan.

I'm sure it's nothing and that Gibbs will explain everything during his daily briefing, just like he did with the e-mail addresses the White House said it wasn't collecting.

Social Justice (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:44 AM)

This will be good.

I'm curious how Faux will spin it. And how those who think Faux reporting is honest and thourough will take it.This was, after all, during the time when Bush could do no wrong and they licked up every word that spurted from his mouth. Will it be cause for any soul searching? Will they be forced to wonder if they were wrong about that could they be wrong about other aspects of their belief system?
Ridge is one of their heroes, after all. Who's right Who's wrong?

When you've spent the last eight years believing in a dogmatic system, how can you question it now?

But, rush, beck, and hannity will make it OK for them. They will lie their way out - like they have with HCR.

rick in savannah (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:46 AM)

Now how many conservatives will be "outraged" by this and scream at a Republican today about this violation of their "liberty"?

Not one.
Nashville_fan

What exactly is there to be outraged about? That politics went on in Washington DC? Yeah, that's a first. Sane people tend to wait to get the facts. Insane people, aka liberals like yourself, are in a constant state of outrage, so it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff with you people.

Farmer Ned (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:47 AM)

Ridge is trying to do the right thing. Give the guy some credit.

New Indi (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:49 AM)

Sounds like the situation when Billy "BJ" Clinton conducted bombings to distract from the Monica scandal that was blowing up. The old Dodge and Move tactic.

Obama continues to try and scare the American people much in the same manner talking crisis and worst in history language.

It's always the same. People wake up.

Obama Bush Clinton Same Same

Sammy Same, CA (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:49 AM)

No surprise - just more of the lets scare to death politics of the Republicans for their own gain at the expense of the country and community.

My father-in-law, who was staunch Republican, would neither have suprised or shocked.

OBwan, IN (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:50 AM)

Good job FR. This is important, we need our best people working this one! Somone get Representitive John Conyers on the phone!

Rico (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:50 AM)

Tom Ridge is former, very popular, republican governor of Pennsylvania. He is a pro-choice moderate republican which has always prevented him from running for national office, which is really a shame. He does not represent what the republican party has become. I can always respect principles and diagreement. What I can't tolerate is what the republicans have become. A party of lying hypocrites willing to do or say anything to get elected and/or destroy our current administration since its not their party, even if it means destroying the middle class of this nation. They are even frightening the elderly, a dispicable tactic. Every day I wonder how low they can go.

It appears this book will clarify his reasons for leaving his post at Homeland Security, none of which will be surprising at based upon the teaser here in FR. When he resigned I said he was leaving for reasons he was not willing to disclose at the time and they were along the lines it appears they were.

He obviously has principals, which is admirable if you stick to them even if I do not agree. I only wish he would have spoken out sooner, but in some way I understand why he did not. This used to be what the republican party was about. It must be difficult to accept what has become of his party, not to mention what the right wing media will do to him when this all becomes public.

GS, PA (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:51 AM)

Some of us came to the same conclusion and posted it on this blog then.

GOP = Bunch of Fear Mongers

Health Care Reform = Pro-Life

Anti-Health Care Reform = Pro-Death

TOLD You So (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:52 AM)

Some of us came to the same conclusion and posted it on this blog then.

GOP = Bunch of Fear Mongers

Health Care Reform = Pro-Life

Anti-Health Care Reform = Pro-Death

TOLD You So (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:52 AM)

The wonder of it all: a republican trying to throw an election through deceit and fear mongering!

Tricky Dick Nixon is looking more and more juvenille in the grand scheme of what is criminally reprehensible behavior from the GOP.

SpinThis (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:53 AM)

this will be the same tactic that Obie will use with the swine flu this fall to push his health care bill

hawk1 (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:59 AM)

If the threat level was boosted just prior to Bush's
re-election, then it should now be at disco ball, laser light show, nuclear explosion intensity - this country is in immediate peril and RIGHT NOW, AT THIS
VERY MOMENT IS under attack - from none other than Osama and his minions of destruction.

Yes, we now have a very transparent government, just
like he promised – anyone who opens their eyes can
see straight through him and see the little wheels of
socialism turning in his head.

I have zero doubt the WH reads FR....after reading the chitzillion liberal posts on this blog - that's where Osama got his idea that American's are gullible and he can just trample them along with the Constitution.

This is just another example of sleight of hand....hey tards, look over here at the shiny cover of Ridges book in my right hand while I use my left hand to turn off the oxygen to grandpa veteran who gave his all to keep this country free....

Osama is guilty of treason and as such should be impeached, tried, and incarcerated. He is a thief, a liar, and a disgrace to a once great nation.

He hates this country and is out to destroy it....and he’s doing a damned fine job of it in my opinion.

Working Class American (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:05 PM)

Has there been any revelation showing something positive for democracy that happened under that administration?

let it be (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:43 AM)

Yep, it happened on January 20, 2009, around noon.

BHO (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:13 PM)

Let's see, we had Karl Rove get US Attorneys fired because they refused to bring unsubstantiated charges against Democratic candidates in upcoming elections. They we had lies serve as the basis for an unprovoked preemptive invasion of a country so Bush jr. could be a war-time president, none of which have ever been voted out of office in our country's history.

Cheney is still at it, breaching national security by openly criticizing the president while he is abroad, a taboo once recognized by both parties in the past. Now we have loaded guns brought into the debate, which should raise all security alerts.

I really don't think these fools will be happy until someone takes the life of our president. When you mix loaded weapons with heated debate, how can anything else be expected? With dozens of armed people serving as a distraction, if there is ever an attempt on an elected official's life, everyone carrying a gun should be tried as an accessory.

Let's get back on script and get complete HCR passed NOW...

Tim Stocken, Highland Lakes, NJ (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:13 PM)

rig elections, oh like Al Gore and the DNC trying to throw out all the absentee ballots from our servicemen overseas don,t think its quite the same
dems who needs them

hawk1 (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:17 PM)

So Mr. Ridge wouldn't go along with the Cheney/Rove plans to take over the world. He wouldn't go along with the Administration's request for lies and to go after those who dared disagree with fearless leader (Cheney) and now it is being exposed. The more I read about the last Administration the happier I am I didn't vote for them or support them.

The George W. Bush (Actually Dick Cheney) Administration will, arguably, go down in history as the most corrupt, most dictitorial, most secret, and most incompetent Administration in US history. When compared to some of the others that is saying alot. There will be more tell all books and each will add a piece to the puzzle and reveal the truth about the inner workings of the Bush Administration and just how close we came to destroying the Constitution and installing a totalitarian state in its place. Were it not for the changes in 2006 that just might have happened by now.

eagle1776 (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:23 PM)

Take a look at the crap that the Obama administration had done, spent and lied.
There's no end to it.
His whole administration is fixed and he's just getting started.
Who's the first to file an ethics charge against our radical prez?
AND Axelrod and others have made millions off of "situations" that are clearly a conflict of interest.

When Obie's time has run the Dem books will fly too.

Fortunate Son (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:25 PM)

Dear Farmer Ned:

When you focus your comments on me instead of the issue at hand, it illustrates that you are on the wrong side of the issue.

What does my "sanity" have to do with anything?

Another distraction.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:25 PM)

no joe, no bo, nj, Where is your post about former president bush lying his ass off.
this guy had the DHS security alert raised before the 2004 presidential election to get re-elected, where is you richious voice now.
come on lets here ya, bush had the Homeland Security Secretary lie to help get re-elected.

COME ON WHERE ARE YOU!!! OR ARE YOU STILL FULL OF SUGAR, HONEY, ICE, TRA!!!!!

Jeff Westmont IL. (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:25 PM)

Strange how all the libs are taking this Whisper as fact. No other news agency has reported anything. Looks like FR is throwing you Libs a bone with this rumor since everything else is blowing up in your face. I have another rumor for you. BOBO was not born in the USA. Do you believe that whopper as well? Didn't think so. Niether do I by the way and I will not take this as fact at this point.

MB, Valpo (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:27 PM)

Thank's if it true Mr Ridge for at least you had the courage to tell the truth even if late for wait until you hear about why these Democratic Seniors are not bqcking a Demorcratic President when they easily backed Bush on the Iraq invasion see all of them got to put in amendments in President Bushes Bill and other persnal reason this is almost as worse as a older personb tell someone who be right that they are wrong

Ivoted (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:35 PM)

Perfect timing for the Obama and the Democrats! What better way to distract people from all their failures but to have a good old fashion Witch Hunt!
She's A Witch (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:30 AM)
-------
Use your head Witch -- you're saying you think Obama's administration is the one publishing this book??? OMG!! Now that's spin.

Sharon IL (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:40 PM)

What a clown...anyone with a brain knew the bushleague of incompetence was using the alerts to scare the poorly educated and easily conned.

Hey for some fun try yelling boo in a room of republicans and watch them all scurry under the tables.

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

Perfect timing for the Obama and the Democrats! What better way to distract people from all their failures but to have a good old fashion Witch Hunt! *********************************************
What are you talking about? These are Ridge's words!

carlo, baton rouge, la. (Sent Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

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