Rumsfeld quickly stopped the reporter in his tracks: “What was Vernon -- didn't Vernon Walters do it? Didn't Studeman do it?”
Undeterred by how wrong he was, the reporter continued: “OK. Well, my point remains -- my question remains the same, is: Do you think it's...”
Rumsfeld brilliantly retorted: “Even though the premise is fallacious.”
The reporter still continued: “Will you at least acknowledge that it's been a long time since we had an active...”
Well, of course Rumsfeld was right, and this reporter couldn’t have been more wrong. What are the facts?
Admiral William Studeman was appointed Deputy Director to the CIA in 1993, and served as Acting Director twice between then and 1995. Yeah, that’s about ten years ago. I guess to this reporter, that’s a long time.
Furthermore, the highly regarded Lieutenant General Vernon Walters was Deputy Director of the CIA in 1972, and served as Acting Director for two months in 1973. Both are a far cry from 1953, but as we consistently see, facts aren’t important when the drive-by media are trying to advance their agenda.
What follows is a full transcript of this segment, and a video link courtesy of Expose the Left.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, getting back to the question of the CIA, the last time we had an active-duty military officer heading up the CIA was even before you were in government, 1953 I believe. And I'm just wondering...
RUMSFELD: What was Vernon -- didn't Vernon Walters do it? Didn't Studeman do it?
Yes, I think your facts may be wrong. I have not researched it; I should.
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: OK. Well, my point remains -- my question remains the same, is: Do you think it's...
RUMSFELD: Even though the premise is fallacious.
(LAUGHTER)
QUESTION: It's been a long time.
Will you at least acknowledge that it's been a long time since we had an active...
RUMSFELD: There's no rule against it.
QUESTION: Flawed, not fallacious -- flawed.
