WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush is preparing for grilling by a special panel on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and early administration counter-terror efforts.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Tuesday Bush had already received some materials from staff relating to that time period and had also met with his chief of staff, Andrew Card, as well as with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and Counsel Alberto Gonzalez.
"The president looks forward to sitting down with the commission and answering any questions they have," he said. "This is about providing the commission with information they need to do their job."
Bush, together with Vice President Dick Cheney, meet with all 10 members of the Sept. 11 commission -- formally named the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States -- Thursday morning in a private session in the White House. Rice met earlier in private with the congressionally legislated panel in private and then in public session following public pressure.
The joint Bush-Cheney appearance has come under fire from Democrats who wonder aloud why they decline to be questioned separately.
McClellan said Bush would likely continue to meet with staff again before Thursday's appearance.
