Secret Bush Tapes

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush indicated in interviews secretly taped by a friend before he became president that he had used marijuana but would not admit it for fear of setting a bad example for children.

 

Portions of the tapes, recorded from 1998 to 2000 by author Doug Wead without Bush's knowledge, were aired on ABC News on Sunday and published by The New York Times. Their authenticity was verified by the media outlets but has not been independently checked by Reuters.

 

"I wouldn't answer the marijuana question. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried," Bush purportedly says on the tape.

 

He added: "But you got to understand, I want to be president. I want to lead. I want to set -- Do you want your little kid say, 'Hey, Daddy, President Bush tried marijuana, I think I will?"'

 

In the tape, Bush mocks former Vice President Al Gore -- who fought him for the presidency in 2000 -- for admitting he smoked marijuana.

 

White House officials did not dispute the tapes' veracity and indicated the president was disappointed by their release.

 

"These were casual conversations that then Gov. Bush was having with someone he thought was a friend, and that's what they are," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters traveling with Bush to Europe aboard Air Force One.

 

NOT AWARE

 

McClellan said Bush, who was governor of Texas when the tapes were made, was not aware he was being recorded and the White House found out only when contacted by the New York Times for comment.

 

"Look, I think that, one, the comments in the tapes speak for themselves. And two, I think that what I just said pretty much speaks for itself," McClellan said when pressed about the details.

 

"Those were issues that were addressed ad nauseam four years ago and they were conversations that took place more than four years ago," he said, adding that Bush had not been in contact with Wead for several years.

 

Wead, a former aide to Bush's father President George H.W. Bush, released portions of the tapes to coincide with the publication of his new book and told ABC he made the tapes because he believed the president was an historic figure.

 

"If I'd had a chance to tape record Gandhi or had conversations with Churchill, I probably would have recorded them too," he said.

 

He also insisted his goal was not to hurt the president's credibility and said if this were the case he would have released the tapes during the 2004 election campaign.

 

Asked about the tapes in an interview with CNN, the president's father said he was not aware of them and declined comment.

 

Sitting next to Bush was ex-President Bill Clinton, who admitted to smoking marijuana when he campaigned for the White House but said he never inhaled the illegal drug.

 

The two former presidents are touring areas affected by the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami.

 

Source

 

I'm disappointed in this story, since it only spoke of the marijuana, which I thought wasn't that important. Apparently, in another story I read, he said something about how he didn't really like listening to the crazy evangelicals, since they wanted him to explicitly badmouth the gays, and his response was that they sin much like he does, or something. Of course, it's probably just an excuse to not get EVERY gay person to vote against him, not to mention that I doubt he doesn't want to answer the marijuana question so little Billy will try it, but hey, the thought is nice.

[SuperJerk 0]

Wead...told ABC he made the tapes because he believed the president was an historic figure.

 

"If I'd had a chance to tape record Gandhi or had conversations with Churchill, I probably would have recorded them too," he said.

 

The tapes were recorded from 1998 to 2000. Either the guy's psychic or the Karl Rove P.R. machine got an earlier start than I'd previously thought.

 

As far as Bush smoking marijuana goes, there's nothing new there. He's neither admitted nor denied accusations that he was involved with drugs earlier in his life.

[Boon 0]

This wreaks of Monica saving the blue dress.

[Guest MikeSC]

Sounds more like Linda Tripp. But with a bit less outrage by most people.

 

Of course, Bush does sound in private just as he sounds in public. That's a good thing.

-=Mike

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

It's things like this that just reminds me of why I hate people.

[Ripper 0]

Wasn't his past alcohol use and coke use already well known. Who gives a fuck about a lil weed? I would care more about the coke.

 

 

*thinks of Dave Chappelle joke*

 

 

*laughs*

[bobobrazil1984 0]

Well, that was a very dissapointing set of "secret tapes". ooh he did maijuana, how exciting people shouldn't even bother released tapes and stuff like these If there's nothing scandal-worthy.

[Guest MikeSC]

Well, that was a very dissapointing set of "secret tapes". ooh he did maijuana, how exciting people shouldn't even bother released tapes and stuff like these If there's nothing scandal-worthy.

It actually helps Bush, IMO.

 

And fuck his one-time "friend".

-=Mike

[Ripper 0]

Well, that was a very dissapointing set of "secret tapes". ooh he did maijuana, how exciting people shouldn't even bother released tapes and stuff like these If there's nothing scandal-worthy.

It actually helps Bush, IMO.

 

And fuck his one-time "friend".

-=Mike

Linda Tripp is worse though. This guy revieled that Bush smoked weed, when we already know that he had done some drugs. Linda told the world her "friend" was blowing a married man and having cigars put in her pussy.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I'd say this guy is worse. He taped his friend secretly so he could profit off of Bush's name later on.

[Ripper 0]

I'd say this guy is worse. He taped his friend secretly so he could profit off of Bush's name later on.

Um....what exactly do you think Tripps motive was?

[2GOLD 0]

I'd say this guy is worse.  He taped his friend secretly so he could profit off of Bush's name later on.

Um....what exactly do you think Tripps motive was?

 

Her own arousal and because she was jealous she wasn't getting any action?

[Guest MikeSC]

I'd say this guy is worse.  He taped his friend secretly so he could profit off of Bush's name later on.

Um....what exactly do you think Tripps motive was?

According to her, protection because she was being asked to lie under oath. She said she wanted to be able to document everything going on.

 

At the bare minimum, they are identical.

-=Mike

[Highland 0]

Some friend indeed.

[Vyce 0]

The tapes were recorded from 1998 to 2000. Either the guy's psychic or the Karl Rove P.R. machine got an earlier start than I'd previously thought.

 

I think he means, "now that Bush BECAME president, I think he's a historic figure and that's why I'm releasing these tapes."

 

Mike's right in that Bush does himself a service by being consistent in what he said in private and what he said in public. I don't necessarily think these tapes help Bush, but I wouldn't say they hurt him. The worst thing seems to be the marijuana use, but everyone already knew that and no one really cares.

[Guest MikeSC]

The tapes were recorded from 1998 to 2000. Either the guy's psychic or the Karl Rove P.R. machine got an earlier start than I'd previously thought.

 

I think he means, "now that Bush BECAME president, I think he's a historic figure and that's why I'm releasing these tapes."

 

Mike's right in that Bush does himself a service by being consistent in what he said in private and what he said in public. I don't necessarily think these tapes help Bush, but I wouldn't say they hurt him. The worst thing seems to be the marijuana use, but everyone already knew that and no one really cares.

His reaction to it, though, I thought was great. He didn't want to discuss it because he did not want kids to do things he did when he was younger.

-=Mike

[AndrewTS 0]

The tapes were recorded from 1998 to 2000. Either the guy's psychic or the Karl Rove P.R. machine got an earlier start than I'd previously thought.

 

I think he means, "now that Bush BECAME president, I think he's a historic figure and that's why I'm releasing these tapes."

 

Mike's right in that Bush does himself a service by being consistent in what he said in private and what he said in public. I don't necessarily think these tapes help Bush, but I wouldn't say they hurt him. The worst thing seems to be the marijuana use, but everyone already knew that and no one really cares.

I guess some people might be upset that this doesn't reveal him to be the conniving evil genius we're supposed to believe he actually is in private.

[2GOLD 0]

The tapes were recorded from 1998 to 2000. Either the guy's psychic or the Karl Rove P.R. machine got an earlier start than I'd previously thought.

 

I think he means, "now that Bush BECAME president, I think he's a historic figure and that's why I'm releasing these tapes."

 

Mike's right in that Bush does himself a service by being consistent in what he said in private and what he said in public. I don't necessarily think these tapes help Bush, but I wouldn't say they hurt him. The worst thing seems to be the marijuana use, but everyone already knew that and no one really cares.

I guess some people might be upset that this doesn't reveal him to be the conniving evil genius we're supposed to believe he actually is in private.

 

God, don't you see?!?!

This PROVES he is evil!

 

Protect the children, ha HA, we know your game Mr. President. You can't fool us you right hand man of Satan you.

[Ripper 0]

The tapes were recorded from 1998 to 2000. Either the guy's psychic or the Karl Rove P.R. machine got an earlier start than I'd previously thought.

 

I think he means, "now that Bush BECAME president, I think he's a historic figure and that's why I'm releasing these tapes."

 

Mike's right in that Bush does himself a service by being consistent in what he said in private and what he said in public. I don't necessarily think these tapes help Bush, but I wouldn't say they hurt him. The worst thing seems to be the marijuana use, but everyone already knew that and no one really cares.

I guess some people might be upset that this doesn't reveal him to be the conniving evil genius we're supposed to believe he actually is in private.

Bush and genius have never been in the same sentence without being pure sarcasm.

[Styles 0]

Yeah, that's a shitty friend, for sure. Bush comes out of this looking real good though because he didn't say anything that wouldn't be considered out of character or wrong...

[NoCalMike 0]

the guy also said he only released 10% of the recordings to the public, so you never know what is on the rest.

 

Also, I think the tape exposes Bush's faith as cold, political calculation at the least.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

Just legalise marijuana already. Being president is stressful and should allow you to smoke a doobie from time to time without being critisised for it.

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

Just legalise marijuana already. Being president is stressful and should allow you to smoke a doobie from time to time without being critisised for it.

I agree. Let the guy chill out after a hard day of blowing up brown people. It's the least we can allow for him to protect us.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

According to her, protection because she was being asked to lie under oath. She said she wanted to be able to document everything going on.

 

At the bare minimum, they are identical.

-=Mike

Fuck that. I don't blame Tripp one bit -- if you're going up against the most powerful man in the world you can bet your backside I'm going to secretly record conversations that will prove I am telling the truth...

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

According to her, protection because she was being asked to lie under oath. She said she wanted to be able to document everything going on.

 

At the bare minimum, they are identical.

-=Mike

Fuck that. I don't blame Tripp one bit -- if you're going up against the most powerful man in the world you can bet your backside I'm going to secretly record conversations that will prove I am telling the truth...

I agree with this. Really. So what if she is a cunt. Anybody would have done the same to save their own ass.

[Boon 0]

the guy also said he only released 10% of the recordings to the public, so you never know what is on the rest.

 

Also, I think the tape exposes Bush's faith as cold, political calculation at the least.

If you were only going to release 10% of the tapes, wouldn't you release the 10% that was the most incriminating?

[Guest Failed Mascot]

No, because then later on when you write the book about what's on the rest of the tapes nobody will care to buy it.

[KingPK 0]

But you'd think he'd pick a jucier tidbit than "I tried marijuana" when during the 60s EVERYONE was on some kind of mind-altering substance.

 

At least have him saying he lusts for his daughters or something. Get people talking more.

[Boon 0]

No, because then later on when you write the book about what's on the rest of the tapes nobody will care to buy it.

Seems to me like it would make more sense if you released the juicy stuff to get people to buy the book rather then come out with shit and then say, "Don't worry, my book is better." People won't care about your book b/c you've already released a bunch of shit we all knew a long time ago.

 

At least have him saying he lusts for his daughters or something. Get people talking more.

 

Now THAT would be interesting.

[Guest Cerebus]

At least have him saying he lusts for his daughters or something.

God knows I do...