Clinton urges support for Bush

By Ron Fournier

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Former President Clinton, who led the nation through the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, urged Americans to rally behind President Bush in the aftermath of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks.

"We should not be second-guessing. We should be supporting him," Clinton said in a telephone interview while traveling in Australia.

Clinton, who left office in January after serving two terms, said he was stunned and angered by the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

"The most important thing is, we all have to be strong, calm good Americans now and rally behind the president and support the actions he will doubtlessly take … in the days ahead — in both rescue and reconstruction of the area and especially in investigating and taking whatever action is necessary" against those responsible, Clinton said.

"The main thing is, we must send a clear and unambiguous message to the world that the people of America are completely 100 percent united and we’re going to follow our leaders and support whatever action (Bush) takes," he said.

Clinton had been president for only a few weeks when terrorists blew up a truck bomb in the World Trade Center’s basement in February 1993, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000.

He also dealt with the April 1995 bombing of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, where 168 people died. Timothy McVeigh was executed this year for the crime, and conspirator Terry Nichols faces the death penalty.

On Bush and his team, the former president said: "We’re going to have to give them some time. They’re going to have to work on this. During my time, (authorities) forwarded any number of these potential attacks. I know they’re going to work overtime. I know they’re going to do a good job."

Former Vice President Al Gore, who has kept a low profile since losing the 2000 presidential election to Bush, also threw his support behind Bush’s terrorism-fighting efforts.

"Like all Americans, I strongly support President Bush’s statement that we will use every resource at our disposal to find out who did this and hold them accountable," Gore said in a statement to a high-tech group he was to address in Vienna, Austria. He canceled the talk.

"It is an unspeakable tragedy, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families," Gore said.

Clinton praised Bush for taking the advice of the Secret Service and flying from Florida to military bases in Louisiana and Nebraska since the tragedy.

"He needs to take every conceivable precaution in the event there are more attacks planned," Clinton said. "I’m sure he wants to return to Washington as soon as possible. He is doing what makes sense from a security point of view based on what he has been advised. I’m almost positive of that."

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett district breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Another positive measles case identified in Snohomish County

The case was identified in an infant who likely contracted measles while traveling, the county health department said.

A Tesla drives along 41st Street on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington faces uncertain future of Clean Air Act regulations

The Trump administration’s attempt to roll back numerous vehicle pollution standards has left states wondering what’s next.

A person walks through the lot at Kia of Everett shopping for a car on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘The tariffs made me do it’: Customers move fast on cars

At one Everett dealership, customers move fast on cars ahead of Wednesday’s expected announcement on tariffs.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

Will Geschke / The Herald
The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located.
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.