Maddow: GOP Congressman Had Foreknowledge of Oklahoma City Bombing

MADDOW: In 1994, in the first mid-term election after the last Democratic president was elected, we got a slate of candidates that included Helen Chenoweth of Idaho and Steve Stockman of Texas. These two were so close to the militia movement in this country that Mr. Stockman actually received advance notice that the Oklahoma City bombing was going to happen.

Mr. Stockman on Sunday denied reports that his office passed the fax to the National Rifle Association and failed to give it to the FBI. Yesterday he released a letter to the FBI confirming his version of events.

Mr. Stockman also said that a staff member had given the fax to the NRA without his permission. He said he was considering whether to discipline the aide.

Telephone toll records indicate that the fax was sent about 50 minutes after the bombing, a federal official said.

According to the Morning News, a hand-written message on the fax read, “First update. Bldg 7 to 10 floors only. Military people on scene — BATF/FBI. Bomb threat received last week. Perpetrator unknown at this time. Oklahoma.” The machine that sent the fax to Stockman stamped “Wolverine” at the top of the page, the Morning News reported.