CNN

[...] And of course he is getting slammed... [...]

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The slimey Bush-era treachery will keep coming to light for years to come. Too bad that sleeze-balls like Dick Cheney (and even Sarah Palin) will become rich because of it. My advise: Don't buy any of the books that these weasels will be wirting.

I believe Ridge. And I put nothing past the rotten Bush/Cheney administration since they specialized in lies and fear mongering. It makes perfect sense. Did Bush find his WMD yet?

Where are the criminal charges?

Another Bush administration insider spilling the beans. Scoundrels all of them. Shame on CNN for pushing spin doctors billed as "contributors" to perform damage control.

I would believe Ridge over this shrill shill for the neo-cons.

She has to keep a lid on how repubs used the American people for the party's benefit.

I think it just awful, about what these politicians are doing these days. We need a lots of prayers for everyone.

Long time ago politicians were held accountable. Where's the law in all of this?

It all about profit and nothing else, while everybody else is just getting by. As I said
we need a lots of prayers, that's what I'll be
doing.

He should have said something when it happened
not now. Ridge I'am talking about.

The entire terror alert system was a fear tactic. It didn't tell us anything that could protect us, and only served to reinforce fear of the Islamic threat by our more racist American citizens. Who primarily comprised Bush's base.

Peoples reputations were ruined during this administration. Tom Ridge has every right to defend what went on concerning his role. At the time of the alerts I was certain these were not genuine. How many times can you cry wolf before people become skeptical about the validity of these alerts? There is a cloud of shame hanging over the Bush administration.

Shame on Ridge. He's a sniveling oppourtunist intent on selling books. He's played right into the hands of the far left. Continue to blame Bush while they slip us further into a Socialist dictatorship.

I guess he and Colin Powell drank from the same batch of Kool-aide!

Just fade away Tom, you pathetic ass-clown!

CNN has given more coverage and more attention to the former Bush officials' pushback against Ridge than it gave to Ridge's claims!

I noticed that yesterday's ticker featured Townsend as the top story all day along – and here she is, again, leading CNN's coverage for a second day.

Sheesh. Isn't one pro-Bush cable outlet / FoxNews enough?

Buh-bye CNN, been nice knowing' ya ....

The Bush administration is ridiculous. The proof is mounting that they were a corrupt administration, yet t hey want to tell us what we are seeing with are own eyes is not the truth. Maybe they should take their little magician show on the road!

no, just shinning some sunlight on some very evil people

I have watched Townsend on tv talk shows. She has no credibility and is a typical Bush/GOP persona. Of course, Ridge is correct. All Americans remember the tapes of Bin Laden which surfaced in the nick of time. Those tapes were phoney and we all knew they were. Democrats just didn't have the guts or power to say they were.

The first victim of the Taliban is always THE TRUTH......

I have no respect at all for anyone in the Bush adminisrtation, including Tom Ridge. The whole lot of them should be rotting in jail right now, including Townsend.

Anything Ridge may say now is too little, too late. He had an opportunity to be a true patriot back in 2004.

The terror threat level was such a wonderfully useful tool. While I doubt many people were heavily influenced by the system (the threats were purposely vague at best), it served as a constant reminder that we were under attack. Just as we and every nation in the history of the world has been 'under attack'. It's the nature of the world.

I remember when this happened. Even though I voted AGAINST Kerry, I knew good and well that the Bushies were playing politics. It was obvious to me that the whole color-coded terrorist-alert system was nothing but a political tool. (Big duh.)

The fact of the matter is our politicians have been frightening the American public to get their way since the revolution. If we aren't smart enough to realize it, then it's shame on us. And even though the Bush administration was manipulative, it was STILL better than a Kerry Administration would have been.....so I'm GLAD they did this. People who think and behave like sheep deserve to be deceived.

fIt was easy to notice that the alert levels seemed to get higher around election times and when public opinion was flagging. Of course the Bush administration would deny it!

Anyone, who worked in the Bush Administration, gets slammed when they tell the truth. The Bush administration has to be the most corrupt group of republicans ever assembled to run this Country. With Cheney and Rove, in it, what do you expect.

The thing is, it's actually very believable what Tom Ridge is saying. I thought it way back then when it was happening. There was no way the Bush administration was going to lose that election and they've already proven on so many other occasions, i.e. firing federal judges for political reasons, that they would do anything to get what they want. It was a very corrupt government and this is just one more story that fits into their web of lies. I'm not surprised or shocked and I think most Americans will think the same.

Bush and the GOP using fear and intimidation as a political tool? I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you!!!!!

Oh come on! Ridge is not telling anything new that we didn't know before. I remember the stupid hypes about possible attacks, even talks about delaying the election if there was serious threats etc.. Bush learned that he could win by spreading fear because the american people reacted the same way every time he hyped fear, but it gets old after a while and people start realizing they've been manipulated. Ridge's information is nothing new.

Come on Townsend! I know your a good Republicans BUT ....

The truth hurts doesn't it.

Is this story is familiar to the current story “Gov will pull plug on grandma”

9 TREEELLION dollars deficit in only 6 months. This incomprehensible debt will place an enormous burden on our children's children's children's children. We're MORE than broke.

The dangerously inexperienced and socialist Obama already went "all-in" and lost. How do you like THAT for change!

Here we go. Bush's people trying to flip the blame.

They're so good at that and lying, too.

Does anyone remember the day they raised the alert, Laura Bush was ringing the opening bell on Wall Street.

Now you know GW would not allow his wife to be on WS if in fact there was a true threat of terror.

Everyone knows Bush and his administration used fear to not only get reelcted, but also to shape and form policy.

It does not take a rocket scientist to make that determination. The worst President in history along with the worst administration in history.

Me thinks somebody's trying to sell some books.

Hey Tom, if you're such a saint, is there some reason you didn't blow the whistle when it would have mattered......not just when it has the potential to make you some cash? Gosh, is there ANYONE in American politics today who is actually loyal to someone or something other than themselves?

I believe in Tom Ridge.

Bush is a Liar. Everything Bush did was a Hoax. Everything Bush did was False.

Bush mislead American into Iraq war by fabricating a False Intelligence report that Iraq has WMDs.

Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld should be in Jail.

PUT THEM TO TRIAL and JAIL THEM.

More likely, Townsend is clueless.

The terror alert system had no practical use. Other than to rile people up, make everyone irrational and paranoid, for political purposes. The GOP doesn't like rational discussion, because they don't have good reasons behind their emotional gut impulses., and prejudices.

repugnants fighting among themselves???????......unbelievable!. Tom Ridge is more credible (??) than....well?, take your pick.....please do not mention that alaska woman, not even her initials...ugh

I believe him before I believe her...

that's what we dems all thought, back in 2004! finally, someone "in the know" confirming our suspicions!!!

Thats right, the Bush WH doesnt like defectors. The Bush WH needed every weapon in their arsenal to scare people into voting Bush in '04. Sadly it worked anyways with their fear tactics. Sounds familiar now with their "death panels" and health care horror stories today!

Typical reaction. What else is new? God forbid anyone ever THINK there's a hint of politics in this. There is no other reason the Bush Administration would do this other than to keep the news focus on them – and on fear. It was the only way to win the election that year, and it worked.

I'm overwhelmed with that relevation!!!

Is that all this is in it?

Cheney is separating himself from Bush. Colin Powell has separated himself. His press secretary separated himself. Who wouldn't want to do that?

RIdge, by all accounts, is not a game-player, not a liar. If he is now ready to set the record straight, we have no reason whatsoever to believe him.

Ms. Townsend, on the other hand....

So former administration officials condemning Ridge's remarks, did we expect them to come forth and say "Ridge is exactly right and there is a whole bunch of other stuff we did too but we ain't tellin' you'll have to find out for yourselves."

Well of course the most damaging,corrupt administration this country has ever known would do something like that

Of course he is condemmed.
Anyone speaking the truth will never be accepted by the
republican party.

Here we go again; another top Bush administration official with inside knowledge of the former administration's motivations reveals how the administration misled the American people and is then summarily denounced by loyal Bushies.

With all due respect to Ms. Townsend, I think that Ridge, the former SECRETARY of Homeland Security, probably has the better insight into the decision making process of the president than she does as a former adviser to Mr. Ridge's office.

Nevertheless, it is fascinating to see this pattern repeat itself yet again. I hope that instead of giving equal time to top administration figures who criticize Bush and those figures' subordinates who defend the president, CNN will actually dispatch a reporter to investigate the claims.

I wish Ridge had mentioned this back in 2004.

Nothing upsets the Republicans so much as one of their own telling the truth. Stick to your guns, Ridge!

What Townsend is saying that under the same circumstances that is what I would be doing. Her response is autobigraphic.

Nothing would suprise me about Bush NOTHING! This coutry is in the dumpter because of him.

Yeah!

You know the thing is Bush was not a bad man at all I really like him but the idiots around him really spoiled his time in office.

Now, they all are talking rubbish but Pres. Bush himself is just aas humble as a dove-ya have to respect him for that.

Ridge is a self centered butt kisser! He never thought to say anything stupid of false when he was seen sucking up to the President before his appointment!

Shame on Ridge-what a dam crook!

Who in King George's or Emperor George's court can be believable after all the fiasco of his eight year reign of terror on his kingdom. The rest of the civilize world stood shock and awe as he brandish his power threatening nation's who didn't agree with his policies of shoot first and ask questions later. But the war mongors of this nation will always be siding with him come rain or shine. A testimony we are no where near as civilize as we say we are.

Here's a familiar scenario: former Bush administration official comes clean about the corrupt, manipulative nature of that league, remaining loyal cronies gather together to howl their indignant denials.

How sad for the country, how pathetic for the loyal.

This begs the question: is Frances Townsend trying to profit from being a former Bush administration official? Does she get paid to appear on CNN and other news outlets? It's the pot calling the kettle black, if you ask me.

...or, maybe he is telling the truth.

Of course the Bush aide would say Mr. Ridge is saying this to profit, otherwise the former administration could be accused of manipulating the election. A Bush aide would never admit to manipulating the public even though it has been proven that they did so with the information leading up to the Iraq war.

Sorry, Ms Townsend but your words ring hollow!

So, Francis Townsend can not stand the truth!

Of course Bush was corrupt, we keep hearing it again and again from those that were in his administration that have now penned books about their time in the Bush regime!

It's not like we don't already know and new at the time that Bush & company were trying to keep the country terrorized for political gain, they did there best to get there 100 year rule as Grover Norquist put it, the people or the country didn't matter. As it is it was, the biggest heist the world has ever seen and they've gotten away with it as far as I can tell, just look at the banks and corporations that profited as our country went bankrupt.

Ridge will do anything and say anything to make money. He sounds like a far left loon and next he may be saying that Bush caused 911 to help himself. Such a disagrace; Ridge go home and just shut up.

It's probably not to sell books, most likely the guy's just trying to pass the buck, he's probably afraid people are gonna blame him for the war, so what does he do? Puts the blame on somebody else to take the weight off his shoulders, people do it ALL the time

The whole color coded terror warning system was nothing but a political tool. It was useless for anything but striking fear into the hearts of people (as there were no instructions for what to do at each warning level) and to try to advertise that somone is paying attention to security threats. A warning sytem designed to actually help people, rather than advertise and make people fearful, would come with instructions for effective actions to do at each warning level. All the polling that I am aware of suggests that people "get conservative" when they are afraid and favor Republicans because Republicans have been effective at promoting themselves as "stronger on national defence." The Bush administration knew of this relationship between fear and public support for Republicans and the warning system served that purpose well since the warning sytem was first instated.

Why would he make up something like that? In the crocked world of politics, sometimes people develope a concious and I do believe this is the case. Ridge could have moved on to greater things after he resigned if it was politically motivaed.

Why would anyone believe anything from any Bush official?

They should all be in jail.

Tom Ridge is a man of high moral character. He would not lie. But I'll tell you who WILL lie>>>HYPOCRITICAL REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVES. And Democrats? Watch those Blue Dogs. A blue dog is a dirty dawg.

wee wee,is an expression used in england,when a small child wants to go to the bathroom. mommy i need to go wee wee.

It seems far more likely, as is generally the case with these administration lackeys, that Ms. Townsend, who is pointing the finger at Mr. Ridge, is doing exactly what she is accusing him of in this case. Profiting from helping cover up the truth to the American people who couldnt tell already what was going on at the time. Its disgusting. It's cowardly, greedy, and dishonest all at the same time.

One would wish that Ridge had the backbone to speak up years before but with a typical Republican Response – always attack the speaker – never the truth of what he/she wrote.

Being loyal is a good trait in a dog but the truth needs to be told sooner or later ... and the really pathetic part is that no one is surprised that this was the way the White House was run.

GET THE FACTS BEHIND THE NEWS. Tom Ridge has a long and distinguished public career.

Townsend is part of the usual Bush debunking squad. Like Scott McCllean book and Allen books. The full story has not been told of the horrors of the Bush Administration. A full investigation would probably reveal criminal acts.

[...] Tom Ridge now persona non grata amongst Bush [...]

I really hope this isn't surprising with all the shady stuff Bush and his cronies were doing in office.

I mean think about what all the threats sounded like: "we can't tell you where or when or what is going to happen, but we have information that there is going to be another terrorist attack. Could be in a subway, could be on a bank". The threats were always too general to be true, but this country is very panicky.

The guy who issues the terror alerts is probably the same guy who gathered intelligence for the lead up to the Iraq War.

Luckily there are a few good news commentators out there, and Keith Olberman did a story about raising the terror alerts for political reasons, at a time when it seemed like doing so would be jorunalistic suicide.

WMD: We were not attack by Iraq, Iraq was an enemy of Iran, but we were lied to-now if someone would lie to us about starting a war wouldn't they also lie to us to stay in office, to be elected? why did we go to war in Iraq? what one person benefited? who was the hero at the time? WE NEED TO HAVE WAR CRIME TRIALS THE SAME AS AFTER WWII.

Know how you can tell the last administration lied to us? they had their mouths open.

Maybe it is the truth that is being told now...I always thought that what was happening anyway.. Funny that the terror alert level dropped after "King George" was re-elected..

Was Frances Townsend present and involved in every conversation that Tom Ridge had with the Bush Whitehouse? I doubt it and her statement is premature. How could anuone believe that Bush and Cheney would try to use the nation's terror alert for political reasons? Please!!! The Administration of fear innocent lambs?

I would believe Ridge before Townsend. Bush and his crew should be in jail for what they did to this country.

Sorry, I don't believe a word out of any Republicans mouth. This woman is a liar.

Townsend is a big time hack for Bush–always has been. Cannot believe a word she says.

Yeah, sweetie, just jam your little head back into the sand – or wherever!

What sad hypocrisy, Townsend. The terror alerts were "personally motivated" by Bush, Rove, Cheney, and others to scare Americans into voting for their corrupt administration again. It is past time the truth is revealed for the American people.

Yea, I'm sure what Tom Ridge says isn't the truth according to the Bush Adminstration....Let's see, Scott was first and they condemned him...look at all the things that are coming out...

Well... obviously.

Rather than address the issue, let's attack the messenger!!! It's the Bush White House approach!

Well, of course, for members of the Bush Administration, telling the truth has nothing to do with telling the truth, but with selling books.

Let's see if the same charge of "publicity meant to sell more books" is leveled against Cheney when he tries to write a book.

Hey, I think George W. Bush's reasons for putting this country into IRAQ and killing over 2000 men and women WERE PERSONALLY MOTIVATED.

What Ridge is saying is FACT. I hope he sells a million books about it. And point out ONE author - be it for a book or "contributing to CNN" - that ISN'T personally motivated.

How stupid do people like this think we are?

Wow – it seems that EVERYONE that comes out with a TELL ALL BOOK about the BUSH ADMIN are called LIARS!!! What would Colin Powell be called if and/or when he comes out with a TELL ALL book!!!??? Hmm, I wonder!!!

I, for one, love and respect Colin Powell and he should – TELL IT ALL!!!

I always liked Tom Ridge, if this is true, I will put him with most politicians that are only concerned with padding their own pockets.

Ridge sounds like one of a select few. Honest people in the W administration.

From what I can see it was Colin Powell Ridge and that guy who said Iraq was a mistake. Other than that there wasn't an honest one amongst em.

Next time any of you feel like complaining about Obam's learningg curve stop and remember what dis-honest incompetence really looks like.

What does RIDGE gain by saying top officials of the Bush Administration "... may have tried to raise the nation's terror alert for political reasons in the days before the 2004 presidential vote."

I believed it at the time – many others believed it at the time – Ridge believed it at the time – Ms. Townsend stated at the beginning of her conversation that SHE believed it at the time too but OTHERS in homeland security did believe it...

Look at the words used in all of their conversations – "wondered", "maybe", "felt", "believed" - those are the TOPNOTCH political words.

While they 'all' WONDERED, MAYBE, FELT and BELIEVED, the threat level was raisded and it was around ELECTION TIME – and on top of that, NOTHING HAPPENED!!! ................... It's all POLITICS!

Have you ever seen a republican yet that would own up to their dastardly deeds. If you should dare expose them they go bonkers. We all know about the terror alerts. Ridge didn't have to tell us. So what in Hades are the republican whinning and moaning about..If they would try to do their jobs they were elected for to help the American people and not big business the country would improve . The want to get re-elected. and we can'g stand any more of the type of eight years of greed, corruption and absolute mess that the bush administration with the help of republicans in congress did to us.

Tom Ridge needs to be pushed ; We might just become aware of who really was behind 9/11 !

Baloney. Townsend is dead wrong. Tom Ridge is very respected here in PA and known to be ethical. Didn't the GOP just try to get him to run against Arlen Specter because they thought Twoomey was too polarizing? Ridge's suspicions are spot on!

Frances, and I wonder why you ever took the job with Pres. Bush.

SURELY you saw what an evil man he is????

Please CNN, get rid of this woman. Nothing she says on air is credible.

Of course Ms. Townsen if going to take up for George Bush. She worked for him! I voted for Bush twice. Sure wish I could take my votes back. That man is a crook, in my opinion, and should be investigated. He was in office 2902 days and was on vacation 977 days. What does that tell you? A third of the time in office was spent on vacation. Washington would turn over in his grave.

I know for a fact that Bush raised the alert level in order to get re-elected. That's no secret. Bush ruled using the fear factor for 8 years. Keep them scared and in the dark. How he ever got re-elected remains a mystery to me. Always will.

Its absolutely meant to sell more books. No matter what your writting about, if you trash George Bush, it'll get non-stop coverage in the liberal MSM.

Of course it's meant to sell more books. Duh. It's also likely true, knowing what we know about Rove and Cheney. Notice she didn't say it was false.

Ms Townsend did not say Ridge was lying or that Ridge was incorrect in his assertions.

Ridge is running for president in 2012 and he needs the swing vote.

So what is the lesson from this? CNN should better understand the perils of hiring foxes to comment on the contents of the hen house.

Bush's entire administration was focused on frightening the public and prosecuting a war based on LIES and scare tactics! Why should this issue be any different? We cannot believe anything they say.

Standard Republic playbook. When someone says something critical say they are just trying to make money, they are disgruntled, they have an axe to grind.
It was blatantly obvious what the Bush cronies were doing manipulating the threat level. I did not need Ridge to say it to me to know that at the time.
Unrepentant beasts!

oh how quickly the right wing slime machine turns on one of it's own whistleblowers. Truth hurts, doesn't it , oh slimy ones??

I caught on to that WH tactic long ago. Not only did they do this at re-election time, but also whenever 'ol W's favorablility slipped, which was pretty often.

And we all trust the Bush administration, don't we? (sarcasm)

Sounds like ANY politician....doesn't matter if it's Republican or Democrat, set yourself up for a big payday!

The Republicans are a ruthless pack of wolves. If any one of them turns even slightly they devour him. The list of Bush officials who have revealed terrible events is long, each one cut as they served the public with the truth. Makes you wonder what isn't being said by those too afraid to come forth.

OR maybe she is lying to defend Bush!!!!!!!!!

I liked Tom Ridge as our govenor but I no longer respect him. When will individuals stop revealing past administration decisions? They do not have all the details behind these...just their opinions as Ridge states in his book. He never says he knows for certain! I also wish Obama would stop digging up and revealing Bush administration papers. This is dirty tactis and since he never stepped foot in the WH until he was elected, HE knows nothing!
Hoe does this make our country look to other nations? It is bad enough when a President apologizes for past actions. He has no right to apologize for me!