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Welcome to On Politics, I’m your host Andrew Chiappazzi. If you’ve never seen this show before, then, well…I’m sorry for your loss. The show brings families together, reconciles relationships, and educates the masses, and that’s just in the studio! This week is a real humdinger, as we’ve got a full slate and some very, very interesting specials for you today. Let’s take a look at what’s on tap:
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The major news story the past two weeks has been the backlash surrounding the 9/11 commission investigations. Condoleeza Rice originally wouldn’t testify publicly, but now she will, and Richard Clarke said that the American government has failed the American people. We’ll take an in-depth look at the politics and legal ramifications of the hearings, and get you caught up on what everyone has said.
Then, we’ll have a very special segment with a couple phone interviews. Just to keep you in suspense – and more importantly, keep you watching – I’ll just provide a few hints. One is a recently elected West Coast governor, the other is a former vice president. We’ll have those interviews later in the show.
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But first, the debacle that is the Warren…er, 9/11 commission investigation. First, let’s get you caught up on who has said what. First, the past administration has sent heavy hitters up to bat in former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, former advisor Richard Clarke, and former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger. Cohen testified, and afterwards had some harsh words for Condoleeza Rice
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Rice responded with her own comments, commenting about whether she is hiding something and confidentiality in the White House.
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Rice went on to add that it is not right to establish a constitution precedence at this time. She has since agreed to testify publicly.
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Also of note in the testimonies, Richard Clarke, the counterterrorism export who caused a lot of controversy by releasing a book detailing the inside workings of the Bush Administration from Inauguration Day through 9/11. Clarke also testified before the 9/11 Commission, and he had a few things to say to the American people.
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Condoleeza Rice was a major lightning rod for Clarke’s accusations in the book, and responded with her own comments.
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Clarke refuted the notion while testifying that he was not auditioning for a job in the Kerry campaign.
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Finally, to wrap all of this up, CIA Director George Tenet testified, and said that 9/11 could not have been prevented, as terrorists will always find a way around your defenses if they so choose.
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So there’s the scoop on the latest political disaster to hit our nation. Whatever happened to telling the truth simply because it bettered our way of life, instead of having to worry about testifying before a council because it might cost you your job? No, instead we, the American public, who lost brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers on 9/11 are left in the dark about the actions – or lack thereof – taken by our government, the very people we elect to office. Kudos to Rice for agreeing to testify, but unfortunately, it may be due to political pressure and not a sudden realization of conscience. Still, talk about buyers remorse.
We’ll be back right after this. You’re watching On Politics on KINGTV.
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Welcome back to On Politics, I’m your host Andrew Chiappazzi. Well, as promised, we have some very special guests lined up. We’re going to start out West, with a man who always seems to make his way into the news, most recently with a statement regarding a change in California law that might send a released convict back to prison. It is our pleasure to have California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the show via telephone. Governor, thanks again for joining us.
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“Ja, Ja…it is my pleasure Andrew. I just want to try and help educate the people about the systems of government and such, and I think it’s best to go to a high school medium so they learn now.
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Agreed, Mr. Governor. Now, I understand you have very little time to spare, so let’s get right to the point. You recently said that you would back an excusal for Pamela Martinez, a freed inmate who was apparently released too soon. Could you expand on that statement for us?
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Well Andrew, Ms. Martinez was released by the courts over two years ago, and it was recently realized that she still had 65 days left to go in her sentence. Ms. Martinez has been out of prison on her own recognizance while her case was on appeal for approximately two-and-a-half years. During this time it appears she has led a law-abiding life, been gainfully employed and received a great deal of community support and encouragement. So, there is no reason why she should not be allowed to live her life, and be forced to go back to prison because the system made a mistake.
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I see, I see. Well, it’s my understanding that she wasn’t in prison for all that serious of a crime, correct?
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Ja, well, I take all crime seriously, but it was only because of our three strike system that she was jailed. The final offense was stealing a toolbox in 1996, and she says she was a victim to stealing because of a drug addiction. She was released five years later, and now this circumstance has come about two years after her release. She has led the life of a good citizen of California , and I intend to do what I can to keep her out of returning to jail.
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Alright, one last question, as I know you have other duties to tend to. You recently had to deal with the mayor of San Francisco allowing gay marriages. You are opposed to gay marriage, and the California Supreme Court recently ruled in your favor. What do you make of the same sex marriage situation, and do you see a solution in the future?
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I do not see a solution in the immediate future, Andrew, as this is a personal topic for the people of California and the United States . The court has ruled to stop the process of same sex marriage, but it has not invalidated the ones that have already been processed. Mayor Gavin Newsom has respectfully complied with the court’s wishes, and hopefully this can be resolved soon, at least in California . Nationwide, I do not know what to expect…I suppose it depends on whether President Bush puts a bill in front of Congress or whether the states decide to take up the issue on their own. It’s going to be a very controversial issue for probably another several years.
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Alright, we’ll let you go know Governor, it was an pleasure to have you on the show. Thanks for calling in to On Politics and spending your valuable time with us. We’ll be back, right after this. You’re watching On Politics on KING TV.
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Welcome back to On Politics, I’m your host Andrew Chiappazzi. Now, on to the last guest for today’s show. He started out as a little-known senator from Tennessee , got his name on the bill that helped create the internet, became Bill Clinton’s Vice President for eight years, and then won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote in the 2000 Presidential Election. Former Vice President Al Gore joins us from his home in Tennessee via telephone, Mr. Gore, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us.
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It…is…my plea-sure, Andrew. I…always…want to edu-cate the youth of to-day. I’m honored that you…would…take the time on your show…to talk with me…a-bout issues concern-ing all of us.
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We’ll get right to this then Mr. Gore. You recently spoke at the 2004 Democratic Unity Dinner, and you issued your support for John Kerry. You originally had supported Howard Dean, but with Dean’s departure, you and the other leading Democrats have rallied around Kerry. Is this a change in beliefs, or is it simply a sign of unity in the Democratic party?
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I think it is more of a unification factor than anything. Howard Dean had ideas that I agreed with, but in the end, he was not able to sustain his lead in the primaries. That said, I think Howard Dean created a new base in the democratic party, and woke a lot of people up. We needed someone like Howard Dean after the 2000 election and the subsequent problems with reelections in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the Republicans taking over many of the Gubernatorial seats. However, I think John Kerry gives us the best chance to win the White House, and that showed in the primaries.
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Very well. This campaign has just begun, here it is early April and already we have negative attack ads from both parties. Are you and the rest of the prominent democrats worried that the voting public will be too saturated with the campaigns and possibly not turn out to the polls?
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I think that it is a possibility, but the goal of the Democratic party is to win the White House, and in order to do so, we must inform – or at least remind – the American public of the transgressions made by the Bush Administration. Not only has Paul O’Neill, the former Treasury Secretary, come out with statements against President Bush’s methods, but former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke – a non-affiliated member of either main party – has made similar remarks. In order to change the face of the government of the United States , the American people need to realize what is going on and the fallacies that are being pulled over their eyes. I think that the so called negative aspect of the campaigns will actually do some good in that regard.
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Mr. Gore, you’re joining forces with moveon.org, an organization that has been under a lot of fire for it’s anti-Bush ads, including the refusal by CBS to air one of them during the Super Bowl. You’re creating a book in cooperation with the website, could you explain a little bit more of what that entails?
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I’d be happy to. The book has just been released, and it is titled “50 Ways to Love Your Country” and I do an introduction for a section of the book. It is a how-to-guide for grassroots activists, much in the theme that moveon.org was founded on. I and the other contributors to the book tell people how to start grassroots campaigns, and even perform tasks as simple as writing a letter to the editor or starting a petition. I believe it is fundamental to creating a truly democratic society, where every person has their say.
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Alright, Mr. Gore, I have just one last question as we have to wrap the show up here. According to the New York Observer, you are in the hunt to possibly buy a channel of Vivendi Universal, thus making you – in their terms – a mini-media mogul. Could you explain this further?
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While the New York Observer has picked up on this, as well as ABC, I don’t think I can say too much about it until it is finalized. Right now, I am working with Joel Hyatt, who is an entrepreneaur and also a fund raiser for the Democratic party. The channel that Vivendi Universal has put up for sale is Newsworld International, and it is purely a digital cable channel. The plan, if such a plan were to go through and the channel were to be purchased by someone like myself, would be to create a youth-oriented public affairs channel, where actually a show like yours might air. With the establishment of Air America Radio with my friend Al Franken, I think it’s time for someone – whether it’s me or former President Clinton or Howard Dean or whoever – to step into the television arena and do the same thing that Al is doing with radio.
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Alright, thank you once again Mr. Gore, it was an honor to have you on the show. That wraps it up for today, I want to thank former Vice President Gore and Governor Schwarzenegger for joining us today. We’re off the next two weeks for Easter Break, so have a wonderful relaxing time away from this building. Also, enjoy your extended April Fools… We’ll leave you today with a horse. Until next time, go educate yourselves!
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