President Bush Must Tell Americans Truth About 9/11

President Bush presided over the greatest security failure in American history on 9/11. The investigation of this unprecedented attack deserves complete openness. Yet President Bush has tried to stymie the work of the 9/11 Commission at every turn, including his refusal to testify on his own this morning – without Vice President Cheney at his side – as former President Clinton did a few weeks ago.

• President Bush opposed the formation of the commission and now wants to hinder its ability to uncover the truth about 9/11. President Bush spent months trying to kill the 9/11 Commission. Then he stonewalled the commission and refused to hand over key documents. And now he is appearing with Cheney and aides at his side in a private meeting at the White House with prepared questions and no recorded transcript. This is not a recipe for the truth.
• President Bush must tell Americans why he failed to do more to protect the nation before 9/11. The public now knows the president received multiple warnings about al Qaeda's intentions, including the famous Aug. 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Briefing entitled, "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in U.S." We also know that terrorism was not a priority of the president before 9/11 and that his administration did almost nothing to fight groups like al Qaeda.
• Americans deserve to know the truth about President Bush's pre-9/11 actions. Real leaders level with the public about their actions, reflect on and correct mistakes they have made, and honestly portray the dangers and burdens ahead. At every turn, President Bush has missed opportunities to show the public he is a trustworthy and straightforward leader. And the American people suffer as a consequence.

Daily Talking Points is a product of the Center for American Progress, a non-partisan research and educational institute committed to progressive principles for a strong, just and free America.