Albright trying to cover tracks

[MrRant 0]

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (search) insisted Wednesday that she was just kidding when she wondered aloud whether the Bush administration is holding Usama bin Laden (search) captive, waiting to break him out at the best political moment.

 

It was a "tongue-in-cheek comment and was not intended in any other way," Albright told Fox News.

 

But witnesses to Albright's comment said the ambassador did not appear to be joking Tuesday when she suggested President Bush may reveal bin Laden's capture as an "October surprise" (search) before next November's presidential election.

 

Albright was in the Fox News studio's green room waiting to appear on an evening program when she made the remark.

 

"She said, 'Do you suppose that the Bush administration has Usama bin Laden hidden away somewhere and will bring him out before the election?'" said Fox News analyst and Roll Call executive editor Mort Kondracke. "She was not smiling."

 

Two makeup artists who prep the guests before their appearances also reported that Albright did not ask her question in a joking manner.

 

Democrats have long attacked Bush for his conduct in the war on terror, but conspiracy theories are gaining in frequency. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a presidential candidate, has several times suggested that Bush was told in advance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks by Saudi Arabia.

 

After Saddam's capture last weekend, Washington Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott (search) made the charge that Bush staged it to win points at home.

 

Colleague Rep. Norman Dicks, D-Wash., scolded McDermott for the comment, and the White House said it would not address such charges.

 

"I don't think I have to dignify every ridiculous comment that's made out there," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said.

 

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist predicted political fallout would follow Saddam's capture. Frist, R-Tenn., said some Democrats would readjust and adopt new strategies, even to the point of diminishing the significance of Saddam's capture.

 

Political strategists have added that conspiracy theories do nothing to help the political debate, and warned Democrats to be careful in their allegations.

 

"Maybe [McDermott] is trying to be coproducer with Oliver Stone (search) of his next conspiracy movie," said James Lake, a former adviser to President Reagan. "It certainly fits into that category and I think -- to go a step further -- I think former Secretary of State Madeline Albright is walking on very thin ice here to suggest that the president already has Usama bin Laden captured."

 

"I think it is probably not a good thing to do this," said Elaine Kamarck, former senior campaign adviser to Al Gore. "I remember years ago when we made one attempt to kill Usama bin Laden by sending that missile into Sudan, all the Republicans said, 'Oh this was Bill Clinton's way of diverting attention from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.'  That was unfair at that time, and frankly, I think accusations that somehow we have Usama and President Bush is holding him for political purposes, I think that's unfair at this time."

 

As for bin Laden's whereabouts, Turkish intelligence officials told the Associated Press that bin Laden recently proposed attacking a military base used by U.S. troops in Turkey, but tight security around the facility forced the terrorists to go after softer targets instead.

 

Terrorists then bombed two synagogues, the British consulate office and a British-owned bank in Istanbul. In those attacks, Muslims were killed, angering the Al Qaeda (search) leaders, according to the Turkish officials. 

 

Bush said in a television interview Tuesday night that the Al Qaeda leader is still on the run, but vowed again that the United States will capture him.

 

Fox News' Brit Hume and Kelly Wright contributed to this report

 

OMG!! FAUXNEWS2003.COM/LOL~!!!1111

[Guest JMA]

"I think it is probably not a good thing to do this," said Elaine Kamarck, former senior campaign adviser to Al Gore. "I remember years ago when we made one attempt to kill Usama bin Laden by sending that missile into Sudan, all the Republicans said, 'Oh this was Bill Clinton's way of diverting attention from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.'  That was unfair at that time, and frankly, I think accusations that somehow we have Usama and President Bush is holding him for political purposes, I think that's unfair at this time."

Bingo.

[Guest Frank_Nabbit]

I await her "accidental" death in a few months

[Vern Gagne 0]

I wouldn't be suprised if Bin Laden isn't already dead. Either by a daisy cutter, or a medical condition he previously suffered from.

[Guest JMA]

If Saddam is any indication, bin Laden's beard should be down to his feet by now.

[Art Sandusky 0]

I tell you what, it'd be HILARIOUS if we really did capture Osama next October, like a week before the election or something. It'd be even funnier if Bush was down in the polls at the time. I can only imagine the shitstorm that'd create.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Bingo.

I don't find it funny myself, but I'll just give up as I know many of the same Republicans who told me to lighten up over Reagan's "Oh, and the bombing begins in five minutes" crack will tell me that this one was mean-spirited and bad.

[Guest MikeSC]

Bingo.

I don't find it funny myself, but I'll just give up as I know many of the same Republicans who told me to lighten up over Reagan's "Oh, and the bombing begins in five minutes" crack will tell me that this one was mean-spirited and bad.

Oh, Jesus, you're trying to compare Reagan's "I just made the Soviet Union illegal and the bombing begins in 5 minutes" joke and Albright's inane comment?

 

Are you THAT devoid of substance at this point?

-=Mike

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Oh, Jesus, you're trying to compare Reagan's "I just made the Soviet Union illegal and the bombing begins in 5 minutes" joke and Albright's inane comment?

 

Are you THAT devoid of substance at this point?

-=Mike

Mort Kondracke of Fox has distorted this story. She did not say this on his show. She said it backstage in the makeup room. She did not say it to a nationwide audience. Mort got wind of this and reported it on the air.

 

If you think Albright really believes this, let's wait until she says publically. Kondracke says that it couldn't have been a joke because SHE DIDN'T SMILE when she said it. Yeah, whatever.

[Vyce 0]

In Albright's defense, if she did smile her face would likely break like china.