*** ORBUSMAX GUEST OP/ED ***

Richard Clarke's Book - Why? - By Warren E. Peterson

April 16, 2004

By most accounts, Richard Clarke is an intelligent, patriotic public servant. Some say he's arrogant but a touch of that is not uncommon for people in a high tech field like cyber security. What many are trying to understand is why didn't he wait for a less sensitive time to write his book criticizing the Bush administration's anti-terrorism policy?

The tried and true answer is probably the best, follow the money. With over thirty years of government service culminating at a fairly senior level, Mr. Clarke could look forward to a reasonable pension but nothing like the lifestyle he would enjoy with the profit from a successful book not to mention the even more lucrative speaking fees. The next question is did he think of this all by himself or did Rand Beers, John F. Kerry's advisor on national security matters, plant, water and fertilize the idea? Since Clarke and Beers jointly teach a class at Harvard on security, the horticultural answer is not unreasonable.

There are other possible influences that may have complimented the money factor. The conspiracy theorists note that VIACOM owns both CBS and Simon & Schuster. The CBS News show "60 Minutes", where interviewer Lesley Stahl lobbed soft ball questions at Richard Clarke, launched the whole controversy. Simon & Schuster published the book and, in fact, moved up the release date to just before the start of the 9-11 Commission public hearings. News for profit is not unheard of even before entertainment conglomerates.

Then there are the prejudice possibilities. Assigned to the staff of Bush's National Security Advisor, Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Clarke may have had a problem working for an African-American woman. Race is an unlikely issue. After all, neither Jesse Jackson nor Al Sharpton has come to Dr. Rice's defense, but being told by a high powered female boss that he shall attend her staff meetings, that could have speared a chauvinist ego.

If Richard Clarke was a known "Bush Hater", such a hit piece on a sitting president running for reelection might be expected. But Clarke had no public partisan political record. Surely he must have known that in the midst of a War on Terror, his book would be seen by the Osama bin Ladens of this world as a sign of discord and weakness. After years of commendable service, Richard Clarke, clouded by the money and five minutes of fame, has convinced himself of the rightness of his views. Ultimately, the book may not be a factor in the up coming presidential contest but if the race is close and Kerry wins, Clarke will receive at least partial credit or blame. Surely in the deep dark recesses of his conscience lurks the fear that he may have to write a mea culpa book titled "How President John F. Kerry Lost the War on Terror".

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Warren E. Peterson graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, served three and a half years in the Navy, one term in the Washington State House of Representatives and is now retired after 34 years with Boeing.