The Truth, and Nothing But

Condoleezza Rice is upset over Richard Clarke's testimony before the 9-11 commission that she severely underestimated the threat of Al-Qaeda during the first eight months of the Bush administration. Although she now wants to meet again with the commission to explain the intelligence failures that preceded the 9-11 attacks, Dr. Rice will only meet with the commissioners in private -- and not under oath.

If Dr. Rice will be discussing sensitive national security issues, a private session with the commission obviously makes sense. But I cannot think of any legitimate reason why president Bush's National Security Advisor refuses to take an oath to tell the 9-11 commission "the truth, and nothing but the truth."