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If you didn’t know that President George W. Bush moved one
hundred top officials from executive branch departments to secret
underground sites away from Washington in the wake of Sept. 11,
you’re not alone. Apparently, key Congressional leaders
didn’t know about this “shadow government”
either.
The underground, shadow government was set up by Bush so an
organized network of officials can remain safe and continue running
the country in case of a devastating terrorist attack on
Washington. But when deciding on the members of the “shadow
government,” Bush apparently forgot a process of presidential
succession is already outlined in the Constitution. Several key
Congressional leaders, including House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert
(R-Ill.) and Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W. Va), both Constitutionally
designated to succeed the president in an emergency, didn’t
know about the shadow government until after the media found out.
It’s understandable national security mandates certain
information be kept classified, but the least the president could
have done is keep our elected leaders informed about the shadow
government’s existence. If Washington did become the subject
of a large-scale attack, it is difficult to see how jumpstarting an
emergency government not explained in the Constitution could be
less confusing.
Bush owes an apology to the congressional leaders he should be
considering partners, not disposable figureheads. And since
bipartisan cooperation will be necessary if the U.S. capital is
attacked, Bush should realize keeping Democratic leadership
completely out of the process is irresponsible.