Thomas Daschle: “I had the opportunity--indeed the obligation--to work on and support the most important commission that has been…”

“I had the opportunity--indeed the obligation--to work on and support the most important commission that has been established in all my years in public service. In the aftermath of the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11, the families of the victims and all Americans turned to their elected leaders in the White House and the Congress to help them obtain some answers to how this tragedy occurred and what steps should be taken to prevent future 9/11s. Senate Democrats, led by Senators Lieberman and Torricelli, proposed that the best way to provide these answers was to establish a blue-ribbon, independent panel to carefully sort through all the facts and evidence and interview key policymakers. The record will clearly show that this commission was strongly opposed by the White House. In fact, Vice President Cheney called me twice to indicate, incorrectly in my view, that creating such a commission could jeopardize the administration's efforts in the war on terrorism.”