Condoleezza Rice
claims that her refusal to testify before the 9/11 Commission is somehow required by the separation of powers.
I would like nothing better than to be able to testify before the commission. I have spent more than four hours with the commission. I'm prepared to go and talk to them again, anywhere, any time, anyplace, privately. But I have to be responsible and to uphold the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature. It is a matter of whether the President can count on good confidential advice from his staff.
I think perhaps there's another reason
Ms. Rice told commissioners that White House officials had told her she should not testify under oath. While the panel requires officials appearing in public to testify under oath, there is no such requirement for those testifying in private.
Let's spell this out:
President Bush's National Security Adviser is only willing to testify before the Commission if her testimony will not be under oath. She is only willing to testify if there are no legal consequences for false testimony.
This administration lies with impunity, and when there is no impunity, they keep their mouths shut.