Doug Wead Backs Down

Posted on February 23, 2005

After boldly defending his choice to secretly tape record conversations with then-Governor George Bush, Douglas Wead has changed course. Wead writes in a personal note on his website: "My thanks to those who have let me share my heart and regrets about recent events. Contrary to a statement that I made to The New York Times, I know very well that personal relationships are more important than history. I am asking my attorney to direct any future proceeds from the book to charity and to find the best way to vet these tapes and get them back to the president to whom they belong. History can wait." Which leads to the obvious question: why the change of heart? Was it the mild rebuke from the White House calling him "someone who the president thought was his friend"? Was it all the grief he's been getting from conservative quarters? And what does he mean by "vet" the tapes before turning them over to the president? It's all very mysterious.