| John Kerry 'Didn't Have Time' for Briefing on al Qaeda Attacks | |||
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| Netlore Archive: Email flier claims presidential candidate John Kerry told interviewer Larry King he 'hasn't had time' to be briefed by the Bush administration on possible al Qaeda attacks | |||
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Email example contributed by an AOL user, 15 October 2004:
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Subject: Let's not forget this Kerry statement: Let us not forget when Larry King asked Sen Kerry recently about being briefed by the Bush administration on the possibility of new al Qaeda attacks, Senator Kerry said: " They have offered to brief me, I just haven't had time ! " That pretty much says it all. Folks, the entire election could turn on that one sentence. Spread it far and wide... |
Comments: In one sense, the above message does "say it all" about the 2004 presidential campaign, which has been characterized from beginning to end by base rumormongering perpetuating lies and half-truths.
This shining example falls into the "half-truth" category.
Candidate John Kerry did say precisely the following during an appearance with Larry King on July 8, 2004, when King solicited his reaction to an announcement that al Qaeda was planning a large-scale attack on the United States:
"Well, I haven't been briefed yet, Larry. They have offered to brief me; I just haven't had time. But all Americans are united in our efforts to defeat terrorism."
However, contrary to what the email implies, the question wasn't posed in general terms, nor was Kerry's response nonchalant. King had asked specifically about a government announcement made earlier that same day. Here is his question in full:
"Let's get to, first thing's first, news of the day. Tom Ridge warned today about al Qaeda plans of a large-scale attack on the United States, didn't increase the — do you see any politics in this? What's your reaction?"
A full transcript of the interview is available here.
Last updated: 10/29/04
