Richard Clarke, former National Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, testifying today:
I welcome these hearings because of the opportunity that they provide to the American people to better understand why the tragedy of 9/11 happened and what we must do to prevent a reoccurance. I also welcome the hearings because it is finally a forum where I can apologize to the loved ones of the victims of 9/11. To them who are here in the room, to those who are watching on television, your government failed you, those entrusted with protecting you failed you and I failed you. We tried hard, but that doesn’t matter because we failed. And for that failure, I would ask — once all the facts are out — for your understanding and for your forgiveness.
This is a rare moment when any senior Bush administration official has apologized, much less admit error for mistkaes. It’s always someone else’s fault.
No wonder the infallible are going after him so hard.