Condoleezza Rice's Testimony

So what's the big deal about the testimony of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Condoleezza Rice, before the so-called "9-11 Commission"? (Created by congress, it's actually the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Against the United States.) She has recently given four hours of testimony, voluntarily, but not under oath or publicly. There's a reason for this, and it's called "Executive Privilege". Due to the separation of powers she actually couldn't be required to testify at all, even if subpoenaed by angry, arrogant, leftist ex-Senators and Representatives. The powers of the three branches of government are clearly spelled out in the first three Articles of the Constitution. In order to protect the Executive branch (the president), Congress can't be allowed to delve into the decision making process of the Executive branch by requiring sworn testimony (and the consequences of refusal) of the president's advisers. If it was allowed, then the advisers would always offer advice that would always be seen as the best PC advise that everybody could like. In other words, crap. That's the reason she wasn't testifying under oath previously. So what's changed? How come she can testify under oath now?

Well, a lot of the reason is that she said she would be willing to. She's got a tremendous amount of clout in the Bush administration, and rightfully so. If she's willing, she can testify. The only ones who should be afraid of what she'll say are the people trying to put her in a corner. If she gets repeatedly nasty questions, the questioner will be skewered. She is incredibly sharp, she knows her job, and has a hugely serious focus. She also has the big advantage of refusing to answer any question by invoking executive privilege. She could actually get up and walk out, but she won't. Bush probably did fold to the constant crying of the Democrats on the 9-11 Commission and against the wishes of his White House lawyers, but he was able to do so because he knew he wasn't throwing Condoleezza Rice to the wolves. He was just trying to quiet the wolves. The wolves should have been a little more concerned about getting what they wished for. If the wolves are not very careful, they could end up being eaten.

I look forward to the Condi Show on April 8th.

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just a thought. bill brower, 03-Apr-2004

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