Third Party & Independents: Archives

Ideological compatibility wins every time. The 90s proved that.

Sloppy, obviously. But, also, this administration values trust to keep the mouth shut, and loyalty to the extent of falling on one’s sword for one’s commander is the highest priority in selections. Competency in some cases has been way down on the priority ladder rungs, in my opinion.

There were however, notable exceptions. Rice, Powell, and Snow, though I vehemently disagree with many of their views, they were competent thinkers, and highly educated in their fields.

I’d say ideological compatibility comes first - they’re all about hiring longtime associates who are blindly loyal. The sloppiness of not checking Kerik’s background was simply par for the course - Dubya never looks before he speaks. He was determined to have a little of that hero-mythical Giuliani popularity to give his insane policies the shine of patriotism, and ended up, as usual, looking rash and stupid.

The sad truth is, most of the people the administration want in their cabinet are practically guaranteed to have a whole host of skeletons in their closets - indeed, they’d likely have no one left to choose if an honest and decently led life was a factor in making these important decisions.
Look at the choice for Attorney General - long time loyalist and a man who told them they had a right to to break international law if they wanted to - now there is a perfect choice!

David:
“There were however, notable exceptions. Rice, Powell, and Snow, though I vehemently disagree with many of their views, they were competent thinkers, and highly educated in their fields.”

I don’t know about competent thinkers, since none of them seem to be very original with that process, but all these people are highly educated - and that means absolutely nothing, if honesty, accountability, and dedication to their jobs isn’t equal to that knowledge.

Rice didn’t think a memo called “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US” was important enough to warrant that Dubya shorten his long vacation. She blamed everyone but herself and the president in front of the 9/11 commission for their failure to deal with the terrorist threats that Clinton tried to get them to take seriously before leaving office.
Powell got up and knowingly lied before the UN - actually using _drawings_ because they couldn’t be bothered to even fake a photo!
As for Snow, they wanted to get rid of him, yet couldn’t find a replacement, but at least they know he’ll never argue about leaving all the policy decisions to them.

I think it’s the “good ole boy” system. Rice is intelligent I agree, but competent? I’m less convinced on that one.

By competent thinkers, I was referring to their being able to think on their feet before the public press, UN, and Congress. Their success at this is not debateable. They are in office for a second 4 years despite their President’s faux pas’.

I think it is a bit partisan to not give credit where credit is due.

David:
“By competent thinkers, I was referring to their being able to think on their feet before the public press, UN, and Congress.”

I don’t tend to think of people who are able to lie and dissemble with ease as being competent thinkers. I just think of them as slick con men and women.

“Their success at this is not debateable. They are in office for a second 4 years despite their President’s faux pas’.”

And what of their own faux pas? What of honesty, integrity and accountability? In this administration they seem incapable of admitting they’ve ever been wrong about anything.
Oh wait… I almost forgot about Richard Clarke - but he’s long gone. After working for four successive administrations, he just couldn’t take working with this bunch, who immediately smeared his character after he admitted that he had failed to protect the American people and sincerely apologized. (Now there is a guy I’d like to see take over the Dept. of Homeland Security - someone who has no trouble being honest, and who actually possesses a conscience.)

“I think it is a bit partisan to not give credit where credit is due.”

I think it is strange that you (whose opinions I respect) would give credit where _none_ is due.
Expecting honesty and accountability in government has nothing to do with partisanship, it has to do with respect for the public trust. This administration’s lying, disembling and lack of accountability would be just as disgusting and disturbing if perpetrated by a Democratic administration, in my opinion.
Nixon and Clinton broke the public trust - and so has Dubya and almost everyone he’s had working for him thus far.
That isn’t a good thing for America. Left, Right, or Center.

Adrienne, I would be hard pressed to find defensible arguments against your claims about this administration. However, these folks we are discussing are embroiled within a system that constantly demands they address multiple priorities with each decision they make. I believe Rice, Powell, Clarke and others have as one of their priorities, the beneficial future of our country.

I believe that was also true when the Democrats had power. But, priorities in politics are constantly in flux by those responsible for decision making, and it takes a truly extraordinary individual to keep the nation’s benefit the top priority regardless of other personal, political or other opportunity costs.

Good people are capable of evil deeds through ignorance, incompetence, being overtaxed or under resourced. I believe that is true of most folks in almost all administrations of federal government and most state governments.

That is why I think it is just too easily partisan to stamp an evil label on those who fail to live up to ideals. It is a view that lacks understanding, empathy, and frankly, the ability to imagine oneself fairly accurately in the other persons shoes. I call that partisan, and partisanship is one of the process factors that interfere with America’s potential to be all that it can be.

David:
“these folks we are discussing are embroiled within a system that constantly demands they address multiple priorities with each decision they make.”

Yeah, but it is their job to juggle multiple priorities. And if they can’t take the heat of public scrutiny, they should have stayed out of OUR kitchen, y’know?

“I believe Rice, Powell, Clarke and others have as one of their priorities, the beneficial future of our country.”

I think Clarke does. I used to think Powell did, until he lied before the UN, then I thought of him as a weak pawn of the administration. Rice, like Dubya, I don’t believe has the best interest of the country as their top priority. I think of the Neo-Con inner circle as a law unto itself - a dangerous and evil force that will always put their own interests and the interests of big business before the the people of this country.

“I believe that was also true when the Democrats had power. But, priorities in politics are constantly in flux by those responsible for decision making, and it takes a truly extraordinary individual to keep the nation’s benefit the top priority regardless of other personal, political or other opportunity costs.”

I think you’re giving politicians too great a pass here. I expect extraordinarily smart and talented people to be running the government in general - and I also expect them to always put the countries best interest first and foremost. Perhaps I’m being naive to feel that way, but I do.

“Good people are capable of evil deeds through ignorance, incompetence, being overtaxed or under resourced. I believe that is true of most folks in almost all administrations of federal government and most state governments.”

I don’t feel we should simply excuse the evil deeds of politicians - because everything they do, they are doing in our name and with our money. I think that kind of responsibility automatically raises all of their decision making to a level where they must always be held accountable to the citizenry. This is especially true when their deeds cost people their lives.

“That is why I think it is just too easily partisan to stamp an evil label on those who fail to live up to ideals. It is a view that lacks understanding, empathy, and frankly, the ability to imagine oneself fairly accurately in the other persons shoes. I call that partisan, and partisanship is one of the process factors that interfere with America’s potential to be all that it can be.”

I don’t put all Republicans - men like John McCain, or women like Susan Collins in the same group with the Neo-Cons. Like I said, I think of these evil bastards as a law unto themselves. In fact, I don’t even think of them as having a country - they treat the Entire World like it is theirs to manipulate, while they kill, and lie, and steal, and cheat everyone who comes in contact with them, of their potential.

Rev_matt,

From what I’ve read and heard, it was a matter of Bush jumping the gun because he was borrowing (again) from that sacred and mystical entity: 9/11.

And, although he was not fulling comfortable with Rudy Guiliani (meaning Condi-type confidence), he took his word on Kerik, and got burned.

I suspect, that at the time of the press conference announcement, the ‘vetting process’ had probably amounted to a cursory interview (‘You sure there are no surprises awaiting us, Mr. Kerik?’), and his version of his resume. Word has it, 9/11 has been the beneficial well that Bush has no qualms (or supposed downside), preventing him from blindly tapping into.

I confess, I’ve had an unsubstantiated dislike for Kerik after seeing him popping up on the campaign trail, shilling for Bush. But, before I’d express it in a blog post, I wanted some evidence - And found plenty of it!

Yet, the added pleasure for this partisan Blue Column agitator, is the significant damage done and tarnishing of Guiliani’s halo! It looks like that way before Kerik’s ascendancy to NY Police Chief, he was already a walking pest strip for corruption. But, still he’s a business partner of Rudy?

Bert
That is just a biased opinion piece.
While CBS is also biased, this isn’t an opinion piece and offers alittle more factual info without such an agenda.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/10/politics/main660485.shtml

kctim,

Last Friday night around 10pm, I just happened to be online blogging when the AP story of Kerik’s withdrawal was posted on the web. Friday of course is known as ‘take out the trash day’, when the White House releases things they wish would go away.

So, how so very bad do you think they wanted this embarrassment buried?

The reason why we’re discussing this matter now the following Wednesday, is because Kerik had one crowded closet of skeletons. Yes, the CBS News story is mild in comparison to what I’ve read, however they erroneous claimed:

Democrats also were focusing on Kerik’s recent windfall from exercising stock options in a stun gun company that does business with the department. He earned $6.2 million from the options received from Taser International.

What Democrats? Had his confirmation hearing started and I didn’t know it? Diane Feinstein, Charles Shummer and Hilliary Clinton had already given his confirmation tacit approval.

No, it was the media (Newsweek in particular) who were unearthing Kerik’s unseemly past, which is the apparently the new definition for ‘colorful’. Seeing this link on Kerik is from the Progress Report, you’ll dismiss it as biased also. However, the many live links provided are as credible as they come.

Kerik the Krook seems to be the new chant.

For me it’s the vision of him and Judith Regan humping with a view of ground zeto that makes me upchuck.

I’m waiting for the Sean Hannity scandal to break next. Those wing nuts are so damn kinky.

Bert
I wasn’t trying to belittle your link or anything like. Sorry if it came out that way, I meant no offense.
I just know many people would read it as just another biased lefty opinion piece.
I just did a quick search for a story that was news in order to get my link.
Your second link is great and can’t be written off as just opinions, stories that Bush lovers can’t dispute.

The guy is a crook and was a terrible choice, but come on man, were you really that surprised that he was picked? I wasn’t.