Entries for April 01, 2007

JOE CIARDIELLO FOR USN&WR

We're just a month away from what could be the biggest storm yet over who knew what before 9/11 and about those weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, as former CIA Director George Tenet finally tells of those troubled days. We hear vaguely that in At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA, out April 30, Tenet takes responsibility for intelligence shortcomings but also isn't shy about naming officials in the Bush and Clinton administrations who share in the blame. It's not all bad: The "DCI" tells of some amazing intel successes, too.

Allies say the 511-page book-300,000 in the first printing-isn't a rant: Tenet spent a year and a half researching it, reviewed tens of thousands of documents, and conducted dozens of interviews with key players to fill in the gaps of his story, the first by a true Bush insider involved in making war policy. Then he had to win CIA approval. To speed that, he submitted chunks of the 25-chapter book, getting the green light in mid-March.

How big will the Tenet storm be? Several foreign publishers are negotiating the rights for it. And his P.R. rollout includes a rare two-segment 60 Minutes appearance, a magazine deal, the Today Show, and Meet the Press. "Many books, many articles, and many talk shows have discussed George," says his lawyer Robert Barnett. "Now George will have the opportunity to tell his side."

Susan McDougal, the bit player of the Clinton-era Whitewater scandal, is making a comeback. We hear that Hollywood producers are looking at making a story of her life. You remember her: She was the young woman once married to scandal figure Jim McDougal who went to jail for 18 months instead of testifying. Moviemakers like Paul Haggis of Oscar winners Crash and Million Dollar Baby were in Little Rock last week scouting locations, and word is that Charlize Theron is their McDougal choice.

Tongues are wagging down at U.S. Central Command in Florida where the new boss's style seems to be irking a few subordinates. They tell us that unlike former CentCom head Gen. John Abizaid, new boss Adm. William Fallon is more formal-and demanding. Examples: He wants an admiral's mess installed and isn't keen on staffers using his in-office video conferencing hookup when he's not in town. Officially, it's explained this way: Fallon wanted a mess for himself and senior officers that will also function as a conference room, teleconference studio, and diplomatic reception area.

A mundane trip manifest of reporters who traveled to Latin America with President Bush has turned colossally controversial because the White House included personal ID info on the E-mail sent to news bureaus. The key ingredients of identity theft-Social Security and passport numbers and dates of birth-were listed in the E-mail that the White House Travel Office sent out in what's typically the first stage of billing.

"A lot of us went crazy," says one reporter, "because it's an identify theft waiting to happen."

Among those on the trip were CBS's Bill Plante, Fox's Bret Baier, CNN's Ed Henry, NBC's Kelly O'Donnell. The manifest usually includes just the names of those on the trip and what they owe.

The E-mail went to media billing offices and bureau officials. "I don't know everyone on that list. It could have been taken by somebody shady," frets one TV reporter.

"It was an honest mistake," says C-SPAN's Steve Scully, president of the White House Correspondents' Association. He said that a day after the E-mail went out, the travel office apologized and tried to retrieve them. The event prompted the White House to speed up plans to institute a new and more secure system. Some news organizations aren't taking chances. They are warning correspondents to check their charge accounts.

For those who thought former CNN anchor Daryn Kagan would fail with her good news website, sorry. DarynKagan.com is not only as hot as the host herself, but Kagan has found a new outlet for her special style of reporting: PBS. Come June, she airs Breaking the Curse, a documentary about a mom who dealt with her daughter's death by helping Indians with leprosy. "I'm expanding the brand," says Kagan, who's looking to do more TV and write a book series titled What's Possible.

President Bush isn't the only one who's early to bed, early to rise. Add Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who hits the hay at 9:30 p.m. and rises early to exercise. During a grueling Middle East swing last week aimed at reviving a dormant peace process, Rice explained why she delayed a Jerusalem news conference from late Monday night to Tuesday morning.

"Quite frankly," she says, "I'm better in the morning than I am at 9 o'clock at night. And people who know me know that I go to bed at 9:30." Once back home, Rice planned to watch her fave show, American Idol, which-lucky for her-ends by then.

We've been eagerly awaiting our press preview copy of In the Kennedy Kitchen, by family chef Neil Connolly, figuring it would have some tasty fish and lobster recipes. It arrived last week, and it's full of great Cape Cod menus. But you won't believe how Connolly got those lobsters for his bisque and stew.

"My second year working for the Kennedys, the Senator [Edward Kennedy] came up with an idea," recalls Connolly. "'Neil,' he said to me one afternoon, 'why don't we get some lobster traps for the harbor?'" They got a license, 12 traps, and painted Styrofoam buoys blue and white, "Kennedy's colors."

He says Kennedy liked to check the lobster pots himself and "when we were lucky, I'd often boil a lobster or two right away for salads ... "

"You know you botched it when people sympathize with lawyers."

"Members of Congress like to bitch and moan about a war but don't want to do anything about it."

"Take my water, and my glass. I don't want them to track my fingerprints."

"Tony has really big shoes to fill. I'm a size 6."

Sources: White House, GW Hatchet, Washington Post (2)

—Jack Ohman, The Oregonian

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