From The New York Times, 2/5/04:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/05/politics/05PANE.html?pagewanted=all
Bush, in Reversal, Supports More Time for 9/11 Inquiry
By PHILIP SHENON
WASHINGTON --
The White House reversed itself on Wednesday and said it would support
a request from the independent commission investigating the Sept. 11
attacks to extend its deadline until late July, even though that would
mean the panel's final report would be released closer to the height
of the presidential campaign.
The White House, which had previously opposed any extension of the May
27 deadline, said it had come to accept the commission's judgment that
an additional two months was needed to complete the report.
"The president is pleased to support the commission's request, and we
urge Congress to act quickly to extend the timetable," said Scott
McClellan, the White House press secretary.
Congressional Democrats and members of the commission suggested that
the White House was acting to pre-empt a move in Congress to extend
the life of the panel into next year, allowing the commission to
continue digging through Election Day.
Republican political advisers worry that the inquiry could embarrass
President Bush and harm his re-election chances by cataloging
intelligence and law enforcement blunders before the Sept. 11 attacks.
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My, my. Wouldn't wanna embarrass Li'l Georgie now, would we.
Harry
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