Crocker Versus Klein

I'm not quite sure why there's nothing about this on Swampland, but it seems that during his testimony yesterday, Ryan Crocker gave an "I do not recall saying that" when confronted with a quotation from a Time story in which Crocker told Joe Klein "The fall of the Maliki government, when it happens, might be a good thing."

Klein says in response: "He said it. I've got it in my notes. He never denied it or asked for a correction after it appeared in print and was featured on Meet the Press. He may not remember it, but he said it."

Comments

If Crocker said did say that, it was a pretty big gaffe for such an experienced diplomat. Hard to believe he would leave a matzoh ball like that hanging out there.

Posted by Fred | September 12, 2007 2:17 AM

When did Republican'ts all get amnesia?

Posted by merlallen | September 12, 2007 3:13 AM

I can see Crocker saying "IF it happens, it MIGHT be a good thing, or it MIGHT not". But not a definative "WHEN it happens".
That is not diplo-speak.
Joe Klein is not known as the most honest journalist out there. He has lied to other journalists, lied to other figures and been caught doing it. He even did columns on the circumstances of his needing to lie about his "by anonymous" best seller.
My bet is Crocker said "IF", Klein translated that into "WHEN".

That said, it WILL be a good thing when that useless fruit of Sharansky-Bush democracy is forced out or killed in a coup. The guy is the Jimmy Carter of Iraq.

Posted by Chris Ford | September 12, 2007 8:02 AM

I have followed the beating up Joe endures in Swampland. I am inclined to believe him. I looked over the video again and came away with the impression that Crocker looked shifty. But that is my interpretation (although in fairness to me I have had to deal with shifty characters over the years as part of my job!!!)

Posted by Alan | September 12, 2007 8:25 AM

If Crocker never said this, he surely would have offered a firmer denial.

Contra Chris Ford, who offers the insane viewpoint as reliably as ever, it wouldn't be that much better even if Crocker had said "if" instead of "when." Whether the statement is true or not, one shouldn't idly muse about the potential fall of the host country's government. It's extremely bad form.

Posted by Steve | September 12, 2007 10:35 AM