Bush Political Manipulation

Here is an interview of Tom Ridge by Rachel Maddow about the pressure put on him to manipulate the "security threat level" for political ends:



I think it is funny that Ridge claims that "politics didn't interfere" but the text doesn't say that and Maddow points out that the book flap says something very different. Plus, it is pretty clear from all the raising and lowering of levels during the Bush years, there was political manipulation. So I don't care that Ridge says he didn't let politics affect the threat level. It is obvious to me that it was. I just don't accept that Rumsfeld and Ashcroft were honestly advocating raising the level from purely non-political considerations.

Compare the cool, rational, discussion of this situation with Ridge to the more impassioned treatment by Keith Olbermann:



I supposed Maddow felt a need to "play nice" with Ridge. Olbermann is much tougher. I prefer the more aggressive Olbermann. But I'm conflicted. I liked the attempt by Maddow to have an intelligent discussion with Ridge without descending into a shouting match with name calling.