Yesterday, former NJ governor and Sept. 11 Commission chairman Thomas Kean endorsed John McCain. Today, Rudy's Mr. 9-11 image takes another hit, as Sept. 11 commission member John Lehman, a former Navy secretary, also endorses McCain.
For those with memories, that's no big surprise. It was Lehman who, during a Sept. 11 Commission hearing in NY City, took the Giuliani administration to task for the failure to have effective radio communications in place on Sept. 11, leading to chaos.
''I think the command and control and communications of this city's public service is a scandal,'' Lehman said at the time. In his most memorable quip, he said the city's disaster-response plans were ''not worthy of the Boy Scouts, let alone this great city.''
No news conference today from McCain, just a press release. A guess: He doesn't want to go negative on Giuliani right now, and Lehman would be sure to be asked about his past criticisms. Release from McCain after the jump.
MCCAIN RELEASE ON LEHMAN ENDORSEMENT
ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Dr. John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy and 9/11 Commission member, endorsed John McCain for President of the United States. Secretary Lehman joins a distinguished group of national security experts supporting John McCain for president, including fellow 9/11 Commission members Tom Kean and Slade Gorton as well as four former United States Secretaries of State: Henry Kissinger, General Alexander Haig, Lawrence Eagleburger and George Shultz.
Secretary Lehman issued the following statement on his endorsement of John McCain:
"I am proud to support John McCain for president. Having worked with John McCain for over twenty years -- from the Reagan Administration through to the 9/11 Commission -- there's no doubt in my mind that he is the right man to lead as commander in chief today.
"As John McCain has said, 'There comes a time when a president can no longer rely on briefing books and power points, when the experts and advisors have all weighed in, when the sum total of one's life becomes the foundation from which he or she makes the decisions that determine the course of history.' No other candidate has John McCain's experience or the judgment it informs to make the tough decisions required to protect our national security.
"I am honored to stand with John McCain."
John McCain issued the following statement accepting Secretary Lehman's endorsement:
"America is indebted to Secretary Lehman for his many contributions to protecting our national security -- from his time as President Reagan's Navy Secretary to his critical role on the 9/11 Commission. I thank Secretary Lehman and am honored to receive his support."
Comments (2)
Rather than serve on the 9/11 Commission and actually learn something about terrorism and international affairs, Rudy decided to make big bucks at speaking engagements. Says something profound about his character and judgment. What are McCain et al. waiting for?
Rather than serve on the 9/11 Commission and actually learn something about terrorism and international affairs, Rudy decided to make big bucks at speaking engagements. Says something profound about his character and judgment. What are McCain et al. waiting for?