Video: Bush “taken aback” by report that U.S. threatened Pakistan after 9/11
posted at 11:55 am on September 22, 2006 by Allahpundit
He’s got to take the “nuanced” approach with the guy standing right next to him, but suffice it to say, it’s doubtful that Richard Armitage of all people was rattling any sabers without explicit instructions to do so.
Anyway, you’re not watching for Bush here. You’re watching for Musharraf’s response, which is priceless. Even heads of state answer to a higher power.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
This is disgusting. Buy my book, line my pockets and the pockets of Simon and Schuster,but any info that may help this fight and to put the truth out there is not going to come from my mouth because their lawyers will flay me.
bbz123 on September 22, 2006 at 12:08 PM
“Honor-bound by Simon and Schuster.”
You can’t make this stuff up.
World B. Free on September 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM
I hope we aren’t waiting for Armitage to comment on this – we all know how long that takes (he’s got to make sure people get fired and indicted before he talks about what really happened).
Rick on September 22, 2006 at 2:58 PM
Entelechy on September 22, 2006 at 11:47 PM
It’s very rare these days to be truly taken aback by something some politician does. But this is truly novel. You had to feel for Bush–who recovered nicely–you know he was thinking “what the f****!!”
honora on September 23, 2006 at 11:08 AM
I don’t get it. If he was “honor bound” to Simon Schuster, why did he make the statement on 60 Minutes??
Sojourner on September 23, 2006 at 3:00 PM
I don’t think Musharraf meant he was honor bound, he meant he didn’t want to comment in a press conference that would lead to questions out of his control. Not answering this question was much easier then not answering the next question.
His answers are also heard by his people. He has survived a long time for a Pakistani leader. I was impressed by his speech at 911 and his ability to speak to two populations, the US and Pakistan with two messages and a single set of words. I think he has a high IQ.
I have no trust in Armitage. He may not have said specifically what is reported, but he is IMHO such a duplicitous dear he could have constructed an implication with the tone of his voice that would lead to certain conclusions. Stictly IMHO, I can see him playing both world leaders for his own egotistical purpose. IMHO.
The White House could have threatened to bomb Musharraf’s nuclear facilities into the stone age. That would be the real threat. Instead, it was allowed to live and seed itself in Iran. Pakistan’s bombs survive to threaten Inda
The game has changed with nuclear Iran. Nuclear Iran was guaranteed. At 911, no way in Hell would the American Left have allowed Iran to be mentioned as a threat. They now hypocritically call Iran the real threat to try to prove Bush’s incompetence. However, Bush made the Axis of Evil speech in front of them and the world and the Left laughed like the jackals they are.
Musharraf needed time. He got the time and now he has a powerful, albeit insane muslim ally.
entagor on September 25, 2006 at 12:21 PM