Somebody's not quite telling the truth...

The Times reported the following:

In keeping with the tone of informality that the White House sought to impose, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney sat near the fireplace in the Oval Office and commission members gathered around them. The session began at 9:30 a.m., as scheduled, officials said. It lasted until shortly after noon.

The panel's vice chairman, former Representative Lee H. Hamilton of Indiana, and one of its members, former Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, both Democrats, were seen leaving the White House around noon. The other panel members continued to meet with Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney for a few more minutes.

Drudge reports the following:

The stunning walk out -- after Democrats had complained that Bush was not alloting enough time for questions -- has ignited talk throughout official Washington.

In a written statement, Kerrey said he left an hour early to attend a previously scheduled meeting with Senator Pete Domenici on Capitol Hill.

Kerrey: "My office has received several calls asking why I left the White House prior to the conclusion of the session with the President and the Vice President. The reason is I had a previously scheduled meeting with Senator Pete Domenici on Capitol Hill."

Kerrey explained to reporters: "Yeah, it's a little awkward to leave early. But the president certainly understood what we were doing."

Hamilton left Bush/Cheney 70 minutes early to meet with the Canadian Prime Minister.

Shortly after noon vs. 12:40

A few minutes vs. 60-70 minutes

Hmmm............