We hold thorough public inquiries into rail disasters, plane crashes and even natural disasters. Why then does the administration remain steadfast in its opposition to an investigation into the biggest terrorism attack in history? --Rep. Cynthia McKinney

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/news/0402/13mckinney.html

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Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, April 13, 2002

McKinney draws fire for Bush remarks

Questions raised about prior knowledge of attacks

By MELANIE EVERSLEY
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Washington -- Rep. Cynthia McKinney drew flak on Friday for her suggestion that the Bush administration may have had advance warnings of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but the congresswoman defended her comment, saying the idea deserved investigation.

David Irving comments: OUR thanks to Robert Reis for drawing our attention to this item, and to the fact that not only has the newspaper halted the poll referred to (below), but the very record that the poll ever existed has been removed from the Atlanta Journal Constitution archive and search engine. "Your turn Are you satisfied the Bush administration had no advance warning of the Sept. 11 attacks?" Yes. 54% 10,070 I'm not sure. Congress should investigate. 2% 340 No. I think officials knew it was coming. 44% 8,300 Total Votes 18,710

Critics demanded everything from a congressional probe to political ostracism of the Democratic congresswoman from DeKalb County.

Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.), for example, issued a bristling statement, saying her comments were dangerous and irresponsible. He sarcastically referred to her behavior during President Bush's congressional appearances. McKinney, he wrote, "arrives early to get a coveted aisle seat, then leans way over as Bush walks down the aisle, hoping he will give her a kiss for all to see on national TV."

McKinney issued a nearly two-page statement expanding on her comments, to a Berkeley, Calif., public radio host.

"We hold thorough public inquiries into rail disasters, plane crashes and even natural disasters," she wrote. "Why then does the administration remain steadfast in its opposition to an investigation into the biggest terrorism attack in history?"

McKinney said that news organizations around the world had indicated the administration received warnings about the attacks.

She said while she had no evidence that the administration had profited from the attacks, corporations close to the administration have benefited from the increased defense spending following Sept. 11.

The White House, through spokesman Ari Fleischer, dismissed the comments. "All I can tell you is the congresswoman must be running for the hall of fame of the Grassy Knoll Society," Fleischer told reporters, referring to people who have theorized that President Kennedy's murder was a government conspiracy.

On Capitol Hill, the response was more dramatic. Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) said all GOP members of the state delegation should sever communication with McKinney until she retracts her statements.

"She has a perfect right under the Constitution to say anything she pleases," Norwood said. "But as of her last statement, she will learn that the rest of the Georgia delegation has the precise same rights and obligations to their constituents and the nation."

The Southeastern Legal Foundation, a conservative nonprofit group based in Atlanta, called for the House Ethics Committee to investigate McKinney.

"I think this is so upsetting and so outrageous," said foundation president Phil Kent.

Striking a more moderate tone, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) said he didn't agree with McKinney, but there should be no recriminations for her comments.

"She has the right to make statements," the Savannah congressman said. "If we start investigating every crazy statement made by a member of Congress, we won't have enough members left to serve on the Ethics Committee."

Political observers wondered whether the congresswoman would suffer at the polls this year. McKinney is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by Denise Majette, a former State Court judge from Stone Mountain.

Said Emory University political scientist Merle Black, "It reinforces the view among serious people in her district that she's a very ineffective representative if this is how she chooses to spend her political capital."

Majette weighed in herself: "For McKinney to believe privately what she says is disturbing," she said. "To trumpet it publicly without proof or substance is highly irresponsible and damaging to our country."

-- AJC staff writer Ben Smith contributed to this report.