Former CIA Director George Tenet: I’m a Patsy

Tenet recalls in his new book that former Secretary of State Powell invited him over one Sunday evening for some lemonade, and proceeded to report his being witness to a lively debate on Air Force One where Vice President Cheney attempted to throw Tenet under the bus for the African uranium claim showing up in the 2003 State of the Union Address.

Notwithstanding tremendous pressure by White House officials to ax Tenet, President Bush decided to continue supporting him. Yet despite Bush’s continued support, Tenet remains vexed over his portrayal by the Bush administration post-Iraq debacle.

Tenet claims his “slam dunk” comment was taken out of context and that it was referring to the need to strengthen the public presentation. Apparently the practice presentation was flat and unconvincing. In response, President Bush recommended using some good trial attorneys for crafting a presentation with some “punch”. Tenet says he considered the presentation improved to where it was a “slam dunk,” not the intelligence.