In the past twenty-four hours, a series of events has taken place that underscores how important it is to separate the administrations political agenda - one they are entitled to have - and the reality on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, so that American voters can make educated decisions next year about who they want next to lead this country.
Department of Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff said on Wednesday, referring to public statements by Ayman al-Zawahiri and apparently little else, "All of these things have given me a gut feeling that we are in a period of vulnerability." Chertoff, a former applet court judge and prosecutor, was rebuked almost immediately by the White House, agreeing that there was no specific intelligence to indicate an imminent attack, or even one in the planning stages that they were aware of, but denying the "gut feeling" remark.
Yesterday, and perhaps in response to the denial by the White House, an anonymous source at the Pentagon leaked part of a new classified National Intelligence Estimate to the press that would seem to bolster Chertoff's apprehension, but directly conflicts with the administrations assertion that Al Qaeda had been severely weakened by the war in Afghanistan - a claim repeated as recently as last year.
Read More