The Clinton response to Al Qaeda

Bob Kerrey gets it right in one:

“From 1993 through 2001, the United States of America was either attacked or we prevented attack by radical Islamists close to a dozen times,” Kerrey told Albright. “During that period of time, not only did we not engage in any single military attack other than the 20th of August 1998 – there was no attack against al Qaeda during that entire period of time. Indeed, the presidential directive that was…written and signed in May of 1998, didn’t give the military primary authority in counterterrorism. They were still responsible for supporting the states and local governments if we were attacked and they were still providing support for the Department of Justice and doing investigations. It seems to me that that was a terrible mistake.”

Albright answered by saying the administration basically didn’t know who – or where – to attack.

“Well, what the hell does that say to al Qaeda?” Kerrey responded. “Basically, they knew – beginning in 1993, it seems to me – that there was going to be limited, if any, use of military, and that they were relatively free to do whatever they wanted.”*snip*

Despite all the negative press W has been getting over this, it’s good that it’s come out. Let’s hope the American people will judge accordingly as to who’s done the most to fight terror. You know who my $$ is on.