Yahoo! News - The Book on Richard Clarke: "Most acquaintances do not regard him as a partisan. Clarke was viewed as a hawk and 'true believer' by many within the Clinton administration, and Clarke himself says he is an independent who is registered as a Republican.

'You can't accuse him of being passive or too liberal on foreign policy,' said Vince Cannistraro, a former CIA (news - web sites) official who worked with Clarke in the Reagan years. 'He's very abrasive and aggressive and pushes his point of view very hard.'

But White House spokesman Scott McClellan noted yesterday that Clarke is a close friend of former counterterrorism official Rand Beers, who is an adviser to Sen. John F. Kerry's presidential campaign, and teaches a course with him."

How typical of this admin's approach spin. Not only do they always blame the messenger, but they are now suggesting that because Clarke is a friend of a Democrat, then he must be a liberal sympathizer. By that logic, wouldn't that make the Kerry advisor a potential republican?

then this:

"McClellan dismissed Clarke's criticisms yesterday and said he "conveniently" released his book in the middle of the campaign season. "If Dick Clarke had such grave concerns, why wait so long?" McClellan said. "Why wait until the election?"

This administration has balls, I will admit that. This same group who delayed the GOP convention to coincide with the 9-11 anniversary is accusing Clarke of having suspicious timing!