Government

Former Attorney General Mukasey: ‘Highly Lawyered’ Memo Would Have Blamed Failed OBL Raid on Navy Admiral

Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey told Fox News’ Sean Hannity Monday that, if the Osama bin Laden raid were to fail, a “highly lawyered” memo would see to it that the blame fell squarely on the shoulders of Navy Admiral William McRaven, the commander of Joint Special Operations Command at the time of the raid.

The news follows weeks of the president commemorating the anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death and, many say, taking the credit for himself.

FMR Attorney General Mukasey: Highly Lawyered Memo Would Have Put Blame for Failed UBL Raid Squarely on Navy Admiral William McRavens Shoulders (not ready)

Michael Mukasey (Photo: AP)

A transcript of Mukasey and Hannity’s conversation explains:

MUKASEY: …You better believe if anything else had been encountered and the mission had failed, then the blame would have fallen on McRaven. That’s what that is about.

HANNITY: So, in other words, here the president’s now — everything worked out in this case. But he had put in place a CYA that if it went wrong, McRaven would have been the fall guy.

MUKASEY: That was a highly lawyered memo.

HANNITY: Wow.  So you are saying this was designed to protect the president politically.

MUKASEY: I think there is going to be more that comes tumbling out about that escapade. But, so far, that memo is enough.

Here is video of the entire interaction:

In a Wall Street Journal article titled, “Michael Mukasey: Obama and the bin Laden Bragging Rights,” Mukasey wrote that it would be “hard to imagine” men like Lincoln or Eisenhower comporting themselves as Obama did after the bin Laden raid, “claiming such credit for the heroic actions of others.”

“Consider the way he emphasized his own role in the hazardous mission accomplished by SEAL Team 6,” Mukasey explained.

“I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority . . . even as I continued our broader effort. . . . Then, after years of painstaking work by my intelligence community I was briefed . . . I met repeatedly with my national security team . . . And finally last week I determined that I had enough intelligence to take action. . . . Today, at my direction . . .,” Obama is quoted as saying.

Detractors of the president are left pointing out how indicative it is of someone’s character when they selectively take credit and re-assign blame.

Eisenhower wrote up a similar memo in the event the Battle of Normandy failed, according to Mukasey.  In it, he took full responsibility if anything were to go wrong.

However,  after it became clear that the move was a success, he only mentioned himself once.

He said, “I’m proud of you.”

Comments (95)

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  • momrules
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:33pm

    Obama is as bad as the slob that passed himself off as a SEAL to Soledad O’brien. No human with any real accomplishment of his own has to do that………..lie and steal honor.

    Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 6:14pm

      Yeah no doubt. If the military screws up, it‘s the Commander in Chief’s fault in most cases.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 6:16pm

      Barry is willing to throw the JSOC Commander under the bus for this…remember the comic strip Family Circus, they had a kid who would get in trouble and blame it on “Not Me”….thats about how much of an intellect and maturity Barry contains in his twisted soul.

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • fastfacts1
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:35pm

      There is more to the story. Obama even knew about bin laden‘s hideout back in 2010 and yet wouldn’t do anything until they had video confirmation. Where is the gutsy move if you have a video of him in his compound and you were watching it 24 hours a day. The top general all wanted him to attack because they waited two years to get that video confirmation. Finally Obama made the move, may have lost him again. Here is the video of this discussion: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/may/general_binladen_obama.html

      Report Post »  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:37pm

      So you blazers don’t believe it when Osama gets killed; you demand pictures and proof.

      But some guy claims Obama some memo exists saying Obama might have blamed someone else and you all act like its the infallible word of Christ.

      Show me the memo, or shut up.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • NealPatrick
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 9:45am

      VoteBushIn12 – 1) Aren’t you folks over Bush yet? 2) I encourage you to re-read the article and watch the video 3) I’m not aware that anyone here (or elsewhere) doubts that Osama is dead and 4) The issue here is the flawed, failed, childish character of Obama.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:50pm

      VOTEBUSHIN12, Then take a look
      http://dailycaller.com/2012/05/07/mukasey-panetta-drafted-memo-to-insulate-obama-if-bin-laden-raid-went-bad-video/
      You can scroll down to Panetta’s hand written memo, or you can see it on TV now.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:07pm

      @VoteBushIn12

      I’m not at all surprised you support Bush. Obama’s policies have primarily been a continuation of the 8 years of Bush doctrine. You Progressives do stick together, don’t ya?

      Report Post » Jaycen  
  • I SPY
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:31pm

    If obama farts, blame it on the beans. If obama blows your money, blame it on Bush.

    If obama loses in 2012, give credit to the American people!

    Report Post » I SPY  
  • I SPY
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:25pm

    Obama is such a disgusting D BAG, it’s almost unbelievable he still has supporters.

    Report Post » I SPY  
  • spirited
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:24pm

    That entire Hannity show (that night) was quite excellent.

    Report Post » spirited  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:15pm

    Once again we see the uttermost narcissistic behaviour of Obama first hand; claim the glory others deserve and impose blame when he alone deserves it.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • HKS
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:34pm

      I think they call that a coward.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:49pm

      HKS – normally I would agree on that term, yet it does not begin to do justice to Obamas actions. He is worse than a coward, he makes Benedict Arnold look good.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • standupbcounted
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:16am

      Little Barry our great coward should really be ashamed for doing such a thing. It shows what kind of person he really is. Can’t take the blame for anything.

      Report Post »  
    • Athinkerinaseaoflibs
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:44am

      @ snowleopard
      To compare BHO to Benedict Arnold does a disservice to Arnold. Before defecting to the British, Arnold was a successful and revered General. He captured Ft .Ticonderoga and was generally admired. His fall came when he got jealous when he was passed up for advancement. While his defection to the British was not admirable or defendable, there is an explanation.

      Now compare and contrast Arnold to BHO. BHO has been traitor from the beginning. He was given accolades from the beginning long before he accomplished anything. He was knighted, crowned and deified by his sycophants before he even took office. In BHO’s case he was awarded the Peace Prize from Nobel before he was able to destroy any part of this country. BHO will never be revered by true patriots

      Report Post »  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:12pm

    Obama could have had this memo:

    “Our attempt to bring Osama bin Laden to justice has failed. I have withdrawn the Navy SEALS. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”

    An American warrior President did.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Mike N
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:09pm

    .
    Obama cannot run on his record because he’s never done the job.

    Voting present . . . again, Mr. President? . . . Mmmm?
    .

    Report Post »  
  • TechDel
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:02pm

    He takes credit for their bravery and superb abilities, he cuts their budget, and he asks them to pay for more of their own medical costs. No wonder military people have a problem with our narcissist in chief.

    Our new slogan: FourWord = Get the F*** Out

    Report Post » TechDel  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:18pm

      This, coming from a “Full Bird” Colonel I know:

      “If the raid had failed, it would have been a failure of military personnel to carry out an order of their commander.”

      In other words, a slimy as this feels, as sleazy as it sounds, the technicalities involved make that argument accurate.

      Then again, I also had to tell him who Mukasey was, meaning he’s not paying attention to key players …so there’s that…

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • TheBurningTruth
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:36pm

      To LeftFighter:

      I think you’re misreading your “Full Bird Colonel’s” comments, perhaps intentionally? Look at the statement: “If the raid had failed, it would have been a failure of military personnel to carry out an order of their commander.” a little differently and it‘s just as obvious that it’s a sarcastic explanation of why the “failure” always rests with the soldier and never the commander. Consider if Barry had ordered the men to climb Mt. Everest naked in a blizzard and they failed. Who really failed there? The men that tried the impossible or the “commander” that ordered them to try?

      In the end, REAL leaders take responsibility for what they’re doing. Barry has NEVER accepted any responsibility for anything negative but all the credit for things positive. He even creates false positives and claims credit for them.

      Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
    • Athinkerinaseaoflibs
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 8:48am

      @Leftfighter
      All great leaders protect those that serve under him. This is true of whatever the consequences. In our case we don’t have a great leader but we have a coward. It is clear that he considers himself as his conviction. To him no other principle is important to him other than self aggrandizement.

      How did we ever get ourselves into this mess??? To misquote the great Winston Churchill, “This is our darkest hour up to this point. We must be prepared for it to get darker before light is allowed to reappear “. Dispair is eating at us all.

      Report Post »  
  • CaptMickeyd
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:57pm

    Obama kind of makes me sick sometimes. Someone that doesn’t even believe the military is all that useful until they inadvertantly make him look good. Wasn’t this the same guy that said our men and women were air raiding villages and terrorizing women and children in the dark of night? I bet the women and children in OBLs compound felt a little terrorized.

    Report Post » CaptMickeyd  
    • vic138
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:09pm

      ‘Kind of’ and ‘sometimes’ don’t need to be in that first sentence.

      Report Post » vic138  
  • Watermain
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:56pm

    Really, is anyone surprised about this???

    Report Post » Watermain  
  • SLEUTH
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:56pm

    the African – Americans who voted for him dont deserve the ‘shame’ he has put on them. they should be the first to vote him out.

    Report Post » SLEUTH  
    • shiftingcargo
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:40pm

      President Barry will be sole reason another African American will not be elected President of the United States for at least three generations.

      Report Post »  
  • grandillusion
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:54pm

    Our President is a liar.

    Report Post »  
  • happ77
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:54pm

    The most unpresidential president ever, an embarressment
    of historical proportions. Marxist incompetent lowlife.

    Report Post »  
  • tweetybird
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:53pm

    I really don’t know what to say. All I know is Obama makes me sick!!! Just when I don’t think he can stoop any lower he does. He is a complete disgrace and an embarassment.

    Report Post » tweetybird  
  • Sig Sauer Guy
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:52pm

    Oh, you can bet this admistratain had a “CYA” policy in place if something went wrong!

    Report Post » Sig Sauer Guy  
  • SLEUTH
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:51pm

    When he is voted out…lets blame him for EVERYTHING, past present and future. and lets not stop there;
    investigate and dig really deep and expose every little step he walked

    Report Post » SLEUTH  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:09pm

      Sweet Old Barack always sets someone up to take the blame. For 3 years and 4 months he has blamed everthing on Bush and taken credit for Osama. There was a lot of danger in being locked in the situation room while the operation went on.
      He does live in one of the most dangerous cities in the country, maybe he feels that makes him a hero.
      This lying, no good horses rectum need to go to the super max in western Colorado and be put so far back that they have to pipe in sunlight and shoot beans to him with a 12 gauge (see what he says about gun control then).

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:49pm

    Exactly what I got when I first read it … makes what Obama did less “heroic” than what he has been beating his chest over. Thank God for Seal Team 6 and all those who made this possible and keep us safe … all those currently in the military and those who have served in the past. Thank you.

    As for Obama ….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT4wOkAyi5Q

    OMG 2012

    Report Post »  
  • TelepromoterNChief
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:49pm

    Glad to see we would have a scapegoat if spiking the football while doing victory laps was not an option.

    Report Post »  
  • jamesctheman
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:47pm

    I’m not the least bit surprised. I wonder if McRaven knew he was going to hammer the anvil dropped on his head if the mission was a bust? How could you not own up to something you did? Anyone here the term the buck stops here. With Obama & his team apparently this doesn’t apply. Who else has taken the fall or stepped down to give this president or any president for that matter plausible deniability. What a sad time we live in.

    Report Post » jamesctheman  
  • dsind
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:45pm

    this administration is ruthless……….
    speaking of …….lets all of us unemployed, retired or not,
    but unemployed……file for unemployement?
    it’s not illegal to file for unemployment if NOT employed!
    maybe some of us can “fudge” the unemployement rate up
    as “they” have been “spinning” it down.
    we all know 8.1% is a LIE!

    Report Post »  
  • G man
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:42pm

    Obama…”I’m proud of me”

    Report Post » G man  
  • AvengerK
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:41pm

    Just as Obama’s critics said….Admiral McRaven was being set up as the fall guy if the operation had gone south.

    Report Post »  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:49pm

      If you have already served in the US Armed Forces, just say so. If you have already been granted Citizenship, say so. Otherwise you are a poser who causes facist mischief in a Euro-Aussie vein.

      TEA

      Report Post » MONICNE  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:41pm

    Of Course… Obama has 50+ Czars… and a ton of Advisors… so he can blame someone else for anything! It the nature of a Sociopath!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • RougeFastFingers
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:41pm

    Barry is such a lowlife, trying to take credit and as usual ready to shift blame.

    The commander in pass the buck.

    Report Post » RougeFastFingers  
  • TexanRon
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:40pm

    Dwight D. Eisenhower was an officer, a warrior, and a gentleman. Obama, not so much.

    Report Post »  
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