Today several news sources, including the New York Times and ABC News broke the story regarding what they are calling "the Bush Tapes." Where did these tapes come from? Doug Wead, a so-called "friend" of the President, secretly taped conversations with him over the span of about two years.
Here are a few excerpts from those articles:
NY Times:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 - As George W. Bush was first moving onto the national political stage, he often turned for advice to an old friend who secretly taped some of their private conversations, creating a rare record of the future president as a politician and a personality.In the last several weeks, that friend, Doug Wead, an author and former aide to Mr. Bush's father, disclosed the tapes' existence to a reporter and played about a dozen of them.
Variously earnest, confident or prickly in those conversations, Mr. Bush weighs the political risks and benefits of his religious faith, discusses campaign strategy and comments on rivals. John McCain "will wear thin," he predicted. John Ashcroft, he confided, would be a "very good Supreme Court pick" or a "fabulous" vice president. And in exchanges about his handling of questions from the news media about his past, Mr. Bush appears to have acknowledged trying marijuana.
Mr. Wead said he recorded the conversations because he viewed Mr. Bush as a historic figure, but he said he knew that the president might regard his actions as a betrayal. As the author of a new book about presidential childhoods, Mr. Wead could benefit from any publicity, but he said that was not a motive in disclosing the tapes.
The White House did not dispute the authenticity of the tapes or respond to their contents. Trent Duffy, a White House spokesman, said, "The governor was having casual conversations with someone he believed was his friend." Asked about drug use, Mr. Duffy said, "That has been asked and answered so many times there is nothing more to add."
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - sfzendog
This whole affair smacks of Karl Rove. How convenient that the President was taped trying to set a moral example to kids. How convenient that it's marijuana under discussion and not cocaine. How convenient that it's an aide to W's father who released the tapes "accidentally." What man with intimate access to the president would ruin it by playing a tape that the President did not want played? How much could he possibly make on a book about President's childhood. The President said he was "disappointed" in the release of the tapes. The whole thing feels extremely stage managed and makes the President look great. I'm suspicious.
2 - Max Vo9llmer
For George Bush, the "truth" is whatever favors his political ambitions. The man is devoid of character and integrity.
3 - NZN
Is Doug Wead the same one that is also an Amway rep and major speaker in their system?
4 - Geoff Landesberg
Is it ironic or just humorous that these tapes are released by a guy named Wead ("weed", of course, being slang for marijuana)?
Besides, who really cares. Hypocrisy & politics have always gone together like peanut butter & jelly. (I wonder what George chose as a cure for "the munchies"?
... my 1st blog entry, ever, anywhere. couldn't resist.
5 - Genoa Bliven
One more step in the on going trivialization of "news" for a public incapable of critical reasoning. When there are so many more important facts to be published, such tapes are a pathetic substitute. One day the mainstream news media will realize that the obvious truth is a better story than obvious manipulation â€" then perhaps they will succeed in a way, which is worthy of the word.
6 - Eric Olsen
congrats Geoff! you have crossed over to the other side
7 - Mitch Vance
I just heard excerpts from the tapes. These tapes are phony. Nothing from the Bush camp has any credibility. If they are studied for any reason, it should be another example of misinformation.
8 - Eric Olsen
how do you mean "phony" Mitch, and where did you hear them?
9 - Marc
What man with intimate access to the president would ruin it by playing a tape that the President did not want played?
That would be the same man that bilked millions out of millions by starting the pyramid scam otherwise known as AMWAY.
(I wonder what George chose as a cure for "the munchies"?
The same thing Clinton used! Whats the point?
These tapes are phony.
And your proof of this, other than harboring an extreme case of "anti-Bush" virus?
10 - Dave Nalle
Ooh, big news, Bush inhaled. Like we didn't already know this. For that matter aren't we all pretty sure he did some coke in his earlier days as well? Not shocking revelations.
Waht will be interesting is whether Wead is brough up on charges on this. If I recall my Texas law correctly the statute of limitations runs not from the time of the taping, but from the time the tapes are made public, and of course taping someone without their permission is a crime in Texas and under federal law.
If it's a Rove stunt expect no prosecution. IIf it's not, look for the Texas AG to file charges next week.
Dave
11 - David Flanagan
Geoff,
I also extend my congrats and very good call on the irony of the name "Wead." It's exactly what I was thinking too. :-)
David
12 - RJ
Anyway...
Geoff, welcome to the Blogosphere! :)
13 - ken in Calif
<<>>
So GWB was a stoner (well I was too),as if we didn't already know that from his comments whenever the subject was broached..."I don't want to discuss that any more" (Gee I wonder why), but did he ever discuss it?
What I find most hypocritical: he lived in Texas, made famous for sending people down the river for many years for pot.....
So tell us George, how was the nose candy?
14 - Dave Nalle
I believe he liked the nose candy too much, so he had to start mainlining Jesus to get over it.
Dave
15 - sapere aude
So, this man has a book. It's not shocking that a former friend of President Bush's would write a book; it's the idea that he taped Bush and is now "revealing" all. umm hmm.. Question is, is the book worth my money? is it substantive? or just fluff?
16 - Dave Mishiwiec
To answer the question of legality of Wead's actions he made sure to record the tapes in states that allow it according to the pres reports that I have read. If any tapes should exist that were made in states prohibiting secret recordings then this Wead dude is a dead man walking as he'll be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law on that and anything else the Secret Service, FBI and CIA can dig up on this poor sap. I hope he makes a ton of money on that book as the conservative groups bankrolling the GOP's agenda will do whatever it takes to crush this guy while making sure W looks like he did nothing other than come off like a poor, hapless sap who got taken advantage of.
17 - BioPlague
How sad that everyone is hen-pecking one little point out of nine hours of conversation. I doubt any of the people who've stated the tapes were embarassing, or that this will somehow hurt the President, have actually even heard the tapes or read the entire transcript. Shame on you sad, little conspiracy-mongers.
18 - ken
...I believe he liked the nose candy too much, so he had to start mainlining Jesus to get over it...
Yep..One could just imagine him standing up in church one Sunday morning and saying: "I used to be all messed up on drugs and alcohol. Now I'm all messed up on the lord"
(my appologizes to Cheech n Chong for a bit of plagiarism)
19 - Dave Nalle
>>To answer the question of legality of Wead's actions he made sure to record the tapes in states that allow it according to the pres reports that I have read. If any tapes should exist that were made in states prohibiting secret recordings then this Wead dude is a dead man walking as he'll be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law on that and anything else the Secret Service, FBI and CIA can dig up on this poor sap.<<
Such recordings are illegal in every state under the Federal Wiretap Law passed after the Nixon administration.
Dave
20 - Eric Olsen
then how would he expect to get away with it?
21 - Dave Nalle
>>then how would he expect to get away with it?<<
Damned if I know. My first guess would be that he doesn't expect the be prosecuted, which suggests that there's nothing in the tapes that Bush would be all that offended by, or that he's betting that the negative publicity of a prosecution would be seen as more damaging by the administration than anything in the tapes - probably a pretty safe bet. If the worst the tapes have is Bush admitting to smoking dope - which isn't news to anyone - then there's not much controversy.
Dave
22 - DrPat
Yes, Dave, but he suggested that (gasp!) John Ashcroft would make a good Supreme Court Justice! Of course, that was well before 9/11...
23 - Dave Nalle
Well, that IS a frightening thought, but not one that Bush would be ashamed to admit, sadly.
Dave
24 - Bonnie
This is the same Doug Wead that was a minister and an Amway Diamond; not sure about his credibility...wouldn't want him for a "friend" though.
25 - Jim Labdon
I think the LSD and coccaine use he acknowledges explains Bush's imparied reasoning and perception skills. Who better than George Bush to warn us of WMDs and Mushroom clouds? It all seems clear to me now.