The Wead Tapes

Reversal in the Works? (washingtonpost.com): "David D. Kirkpatrick writes in the New York Times: 'All week, Doug Wead has said the reason he secretly recorded some of his phone calls with President Bush was for history's sake. 'But Wednesday, after a blast of criticism, Mr. Wead abruptly decided he had spoken too soon. 'History can wait,' he said, promising to turn over the tapes to Mr. Bush.'

What does that mean? Will we ever hear the rest?

Kirkpatrick writes: 'Because the tapes were made before Mr. Bush became president, they would not be subject to the regulations governing presidential papers, which require them to be declassified after 25 years, said Barbara Elias, freedom of information coordinator for the National Security Archive, a nonprofit research group. Other lawyers suggested that the White House may seek to convey the tapes to an outside lawyer representing Mr. Bush, thus further shielding them under attorney-client privilege.'

On NBC's Today Show yesterday, Norah O'Donnell asked Laura Bush about the tapes in an interview:

'I think it's very odd and awkward, to be perfectly frank, to tape someone while you're talking to them on the phone, and they don't know it, and then come out with the tapes later,' the first lady said. 'I don't know if I'd use the word 'betrayed,' but I think it's a little bit awkward for sure.' "