Kerry: Mr. President, when you were informed of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11, you sat and did nothing for almost seven minutes, listening to a children's book being read. Why didn't you get up immediately and take action?
Bush: Senator, when I heard of the second plane, it was clear to me that the country was at war. It was also clear to me that, if the attack got much worse, that I might be called upon to use nucular weapons in a short period of time. That possibility gives a man pause ... or at least it should. I can't think of a better place to consider such awful possibilities than in a roomful of children.
That's one possible rejoinder. Here's another:
Bush: Mr. Non-President, when you were informed of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11, you sat in a stupor and did nothing for 40 minutes. Now, what was your point, exactly?
Yeah, but that's the low road.
I like the passing inference that Mr. Action Kerry might not have a big problem using nukes without thought.
Of course, all the commentators would talk about is pronounciation....
Posted by: Kevin Murphy at August 24, 2004 04:47 PMKerry didn't have to do anything; he was one senator among 100 and the junior senator from his state. He had a luxury that the president did not.
Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2004 06:00 PMSkip--
That's true, and it seems he's been operating that way for 20 years. Kinda been Teddy Kennedy's second vote.
None of which bears on why Bush did what on 9/11, other than Kerry's on record as second-guessing him.
Posted by: Kevin Murphy at August 26, 2004 06:26 PMHe's been operating that way for 20 years because that's what senators do and that's how their job works. Unlike presidents, they are not relied upon to make snap judgments about our safety.
Posted by: Skip at August 26, 2004 11:49 PMUmmm ... not sure I want presidents making snap judgements about my safety.
Posted by: Kevin Murphy at August 27, 2004 10:38 AM