American Politics Journal -- Pundit Pap



"The Pundits, Flush With Pride" courtesy the Wizard of Whimsy.

Sunday, April 29, 2001 -- NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (APJP) -- When Franklin Roosevelt assumed the highest office in the land back in the days when free elections actually counted, he pledged to shepherd his social legislative agenda through Congress in 100 days.

As a result, the arbitrary "100 days" benchmark has been applied to every new president by the press since the age of FDR.

One major news story did insinuate itself on the celebration of all things Shrub -- former Senator Bob Kerrey's humbling admission that he had led a mission in Vietnam that killed a large number of civilians, mostly women and children.

"Today, a landmark... [Dumb-Yuh] stumbled over the environment [as a clip from a political commercial with kids asking for "more arsenic in my drinking water" played]," said Cokie Roberts during the opener.

Sam Donaldson started, however, with the Kerrey story, and George Stephanopoulos updated the story -- yesterday, six more veterans who server in Kerrey's unit have come forward to corroborate Kerrey's story and disagree with one vet, Gerhard Klann, who said in a New York Times Magazine feature article that Kerrey killed civilians who were being held down.

Sam then turned to four Senators, all veterans of Vietnam: Max Cleland, John Kerry, Chuck Hagel and John McCain . What do they think happened? John Kerry said what he thought is not relevant; what is are the contradictory story -- and the fact that this was a dangerous mission. In fact, said J. Kerry, B. Kerrey went into the area from one of J. Kerry's boats. He added that they may have made a call that they now regret, but after 30 years, one has to consider the nature and danger of the war.

Cleland praised Kerrey for guts and courage -- and pointed out that in ' Nam, the battle lines were not clearly defined, and we should be proud of our servicemen. Hagel said chaos and confusion are always part of war, and Vietnam was rife with chaos; redefining the incident does not take into account the nature of the Vietnam War, and people should be cautioned not to judge the incident outside that context.

McCain praised Kerrey's heroism and sacrifice, pointing out that Kerrey left part of himself (i.e. his leg) on the battlefield. McCain also said it's clear that after Kerrey put his life back on track after the war, he " served the public with integrity and courage."

Sam then quoted the Times magazine article in which Kerrey discussed the fast-and-loose rules of engagement in Vietnam. Hagel said that the fact is that in war, whether in Southeast Asia or Europe, civilians always get caught in the crossfire. Sam asked Hagel about a firefight he was in during the Vietnam War -- and Hagel said that his first thought was for his men (including, it turns out, his brother, who was trapped in an armored personnel carrier). Sam asked what John Kerry was thinking when he was under fire in ' Nam -- but J. Kerry said that when you are alone in enemy territory at night, you get out or you are considered the enemy; Bob Kerrey had taken fire and felt his mission was compromised, so he took action that he now regrets. Cleland lost three limbs in Vietnam, and talked about "cover[ing] your own rear end" in a so-called free-fire zone. Sam asked McCain about his feelings as a pilot, bombing targets where civilians may be. McCain said that the other three Senators were on the ground in ' Nam and far more qualified to answer -- and reiterated that other vets who were with Kerrey have come forward to verify Kerrey's story.

Sam then turned to an op-ed piece written by three of the Senators who said that it is un fair to blame the warriors and not the war itself. John Kerry mentioned Dresden, Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- where thousands of civilians were killed -- and Vietnam, where " women and kids were firing on Americans," and people who looked to be civilians were bombing places frequented by Americans in a guerilla, terrorist war. Sam mentioned the " Calley story" (Lt. Bill Calley, who was found guilty of atrocities in Vietnam) -- and Cleland said that what Calley did happened in broad daylight, and Calley's squad had been on a mission to destroy civilian infrastructure. Should there be an investigation of the Kerrey incident? McCain said that's up to the Pentagon -- and he doubts that Kerrey or his team would have any problem with that. McCain reiterated that the incident must be considered in the broader context of the Vietnam War. John Kerry said he'd go a step further -- there should be no investigation, saying that the broader context of the war would hurt the nation and Vietnam veterans, hinting that diplomatic initiatives could well be compromised.

Should Kerrey give back his Bronze Star? There were "No's" all around -- although McCain said, "It's up to Bob."

Following the break, one of G. W. Smirk's top handlers, Andy Card (his official title is Chief of Staff) was interviewed by Cokie. Question one: China has offered to let the U.S. inspect the spy plane sitting at Hainan. Card said something vague. We snickered. Cokie turned to Bush's provocative "anything to defend Taiwan" statement after PRAISING Dumb-Yuh for his handling of the China crisis. Card said that his straw "boss" did something noble. Good grief -- provoking war in Asia is noble? Talk turned to the budget, and Card went down a litany of "good for Americans" spin points. Cokie said something about $6 billion earmarked for education being in dispute -- BUT FAILED TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT WAS IN DISPUTE OR WHAT THE MONEY WOULD PAY FOR. Talk about giving the gimmick away -- she did that to allow Card to justify His Fraudulence's spending and goals. Cokie then pulled up some poll numbers that tell the obvious -- Smirk would rather have pollution than breathable air and drinkable water. Card said that Smirk was "being practical" and that "new technologies" will solve all of our environmental problems.

We could not stop laughing -- talk about the big lie! Where exactly ARE these technologies, and why have we not heard anything specific about them? With the obscenely huge amount that oil companies spend in advertising on the Sunday spin shows, you would think that they'd at least take some time to showcase these revolutionary, ground-breaking new technologies in their ads.

Card's final spins: "[Weak and Dumb Dubya] can lead us to solutions... he does his homework..." and then a point that the current cadre has been pushing all weekend: "He has returned civility to Washington."

Civility? Bullshit, Card -- let's review the FACTS. It was hard-righters like YOU that introduced INCIVILITY in 1992 in an incessant effort to damage and destroy Bill Clinton, and now that they have their Smirk Puppet in the Oval Office, they've shut their lying yaps. Face facts, Card -- you have only served to prove yourself an adept liar and propagandist with your appearance on This Weak.

The round table was, as usual, filled with mirth -- all of it unintentional. Here are the lowlights:

Historian Michael Beschloss ripped off the Dumb-peror's clothes by saying the "100 days" benchmark is meaningless.

George Swill lied as he is wont to do, saying Americans " don't doubt" that Dumb-Yuh's president -- but Steph said that The Smirking One has only locked down hard-righters, with 22% of America being opposed to him.

Huh? C'mon, Steph, tell it like it is: 22% of Americans look at Dumb-Yuh as ILLEGITIMATE -- and his disapproval ratings have risen faster than ANY new president for half a century!

Beschloss tried to play down the "illegitimacy" claims -- along with the existence of civility -- by saying that one Democrat called in an e-mail for mooning the President. And Steph pointed out another crack in Snippy's armor -- Democrats will work to block his judges. Will said that Dumb-Yuh "IS president."

There was speculation about "the Bob Kerrey story" -- Steph said there'd be no investigation without Congressional pressure, and the vets sure don't want an investigation. Will defended Kerrey using the argument that there is confusion in war. Cokie said that "vets are calling hotlines" because Kerrey's retelling the tale was "so close to the surface." Sam accepts Kerrey's version -- but still is saddened by the killings of women and children: "It just isn't civilized."

And therein lies the big question our beloved spinmeisters dare not ask: whoever said that our nation IS "civilized" in the first place -- not only in the way we conduct wars on foreign soil but in our politics and elections, for that matter? Imagine what would happen if Sam had said so -- we can only imagine the indignant reaction from ultra-reactionary George Will (and, for that matter, schoolmarm Cokie)!

There was also some talk of the House passing their ridiculous "Fetusus are People" act. Will defended the law in the jargon of anti-choice zealots. Steph said that Dems made a mistake by raising a controversy about this. Cokie said that they feel so committed to abortion rights people that they'd never allow such a bill to go by without complaining -- saying in effect that the Democrats are zealots. Cokie sounded like a not-so-stealth anti-choicer herself. Sam stripped the mask off the act -- anti-choice forces want to use the act to make abortion murder. Cokie actually ranted that Democrats will filibuster it.

The final word: George Swill defended the Neofascist Federalist Society. He LIED when he said it was organized by "students" -- it was in fact organized with the help of states-rights, kill-affirmative-action "grown-ups" who sought to politicize the benches and clerk offices at every level of the judiciary.

McLaugh-In!
Mad John issues his Smirk report card; Larry O'Donnell fires on Eleanor Clift over the Kerrey Incident

Issue one: what was W's biggest successes in the first 100 days? Mike Barone praised Bush for having an MBA and mentioned a bunch of programs. Eleanor Clift said that a reduced oversize tax cut in the climate of an economy that suggest it's not needed while being out of tune with the public is an accomplishment. Tony Blankley actually said that being somehow declared legitimate is his biggest accomplishment! Larry O'Donnell said that the big tax cut was the big accomplishment. John McLaugh-In said it was his handling of the China crisis.

His biggest goof? Barone said arsenic in the drinking water; Eleanor said multiple moves that show him as beholden to large businesses; Tony said his hands-off policy on the energy crunch in California; John said that killing the Kyoto Treaty is a good thing, but Larry pointed out there's bipartisan opposition. Larry also said his biggest slip-up is the tax cut as a policy position, and said that the energy issue could be Smirk's Achilles heel.

Is not 63% approval with all the problems amazing? Eleanor called it no big surprise, pointing out the low expectations for Little George.

Grade George on style and substance
Mike: A-/A-
Eleanor: B/C-
Tony: B/B+,A-
Larry: B/F
John: B/A

Issue two: mistaken or misspoken? John took on El Smirko's stupid, stupid, stupid (did we mention stupid?) comments on Taiwan, and laid down some cover for the Cheney-Card Cadre as he said W. "obfuscated" and "re-obfuscated." Tony said that Little George misspoke or "over-spoke" -- but he and his cadre are moving to a harder line on Beijing. Eleanor said that the comments are vague and nobody wants to say we'd go to war for Taiwan against China -- although China hawks love this talk. Barone decided to flog a little "Red scare" pap of his own, saying Beijing is aiming more missiles at Taiwan. John blamed President Clinton for "coddling" China, and Larry surprised all as he said that there is nothing inconsistent with current policy, emphasizing that Snippy said Taiwan would "defend ITSELF." Barone said China "has given us good reason" for believing they are getting more aggressive. John scolded the panel for not giving the answer HE wanted -- this is a tilt toward Taiwan. Tony focused on the diplomatic and defense shift in attention to Asia -- and lied when he said Clinton "softened" our stance on Taiwan. Larry said there'd be no war in Asia -- we want trade. John said that there is a fundamental realignment.

Issue three: Kerrey's revelation about the death of civilians during a firefight in Vietnam and the story in the New York Times magazine, which relies on the account of one Mr. Gerhard Klann (the program was taped before six other vets corroborated Kerrey). Larry slammed morally rudderless journalism -- and Klann, whose drinking problem Larry expounded upon. Larry, who was starting to sound unhinged, also slammed the editor of the Times magazine -- lying about an old feature magazine he had edited (a local New York City upscale weekly, the quite enjoyable but poorly-managed 7 Days, which Larry called a fashion magazine -- it wasn't).

Larry also had a surprisingly angry run-in with Eleanor over her own comments on the killing of civilians -- he was looking loonier than John McLaugh-In.

John said he admired Kerrey and believed him. As they cut to the commercial, you could see Larry was still angry, shaking his head as he grabbed for his coffee cup.

Predictable predictions!
Michael: Berluscone wins Italy May 13.
Eleanor: Gore wins the Florida over-count.
Tony: As the census data comes in, so will Congressional retirement announcements.
Larry: More than 15 Democrats in the Senate will vote for the Dumb-Yuh tax cuts.
John: Trade promotion authority will be granted by Congress to President Bush in the fall.

Guest one: Karl Rove. Tim Russert, throwing him a bone, asked for the "best moment" of the first 100 days (Rove named half a dozen), and the worst (planes down in China and Peru).

Then Tim played the brilliant Democrat ad about the first 100 days -- slamming Bush on arsenic, salmonella testing, drilling. Rove, predictably, called it "laughable."

Rove talked "sound science" on arsenic numbers, selectively slamming ONE study (but not mentioning dozens of others). Tim said even Newt slammed the Cheney-Card team's environmental record, and Rove perpetuated the Big Lie -- that Americans will come on board with the Dumb-Yuh campaign, rattling off a list of so-called "initiatives."

But these initiatives are all weak environmental aid compared to those put forward by President-Elect Gore.

Rove, the slickest political operative and best liar on the Cheney-Card team (certainly smoother on the air than Cheney or Card, and a far more convincing liar) called the anti-Bush commercial currently running in DC "phony and ridiculous" -- citing drilling that would occur in Alaska 150 miles away from the mountains pictured. What he's not saying is that an ecological disaster could easily impact those very mountains.

Tim jumped on Rove over price hikes on gas as oil companies announce huge profits -- and Rove denounced gouging, but only said that he would have someone look into the matter. Rove also said that "new technology" would allow "environmentally sensitive" drilling. Tim replied that there are not the votes in Congress. Rove said something again about "environmentally sensitive" drilling -- obviously, that's the Mantra of the Week.

Tim then turned to Smirk's failure to visit California -- as a prelude to his quoting an LA Times editorial saying that His Fraudulence was telling California to drop dead. Rove did not look happy -- and tried to blame the spot market, too few generating stations, and too many regulations for the current crisis. Rove lied when he said that price caps limit supplies.

Right, Karl -- only if energy companies decide to "gang up" against consumers to do so.

Rove then turned to the issue of the tax cut, saying that it would revive the economy (yeah, sure) and cut energy prices (we laughed out loud). Tim said that Team George has dropped legislation for vouchers, and Rove tried to say it is not true -- but had to admit that the push for vouchers has been quashed.

Tim then brought up the "blue slip" rule that has allowed members of the Senate to stop judicial appointments. Will Hillary and Schumer have a veto? The best Rove could say was "We'll see."

Translation: "We're over a barrel -- so much for getting all our Federalist friends on the bench in New York."

Tim quizzed Rove about a wire service report that the U.S. would compensate China for the spy plane that they downed. Rove denied that there'd be compensation for the plane -- only for transportation costs.

Rove turned vague when Tim confronted him about Dumb-Yuh's "whatever it takes" comment concerning the defense of Taiwan. Rove's "by standing strong, we preserve the peace" line was the best he could do.

Tim confronted Rove about a Republican fund-raiser involving cabinet member briefings -- and bashed Clinton again (he's still jonesing on Bill Clinton -- guess he hasn't worked those twelve steps!) by mentioning those "coffee" meetings "IN the White House" -- which are, by the way, perfectly legal, Tim. Of course, Russert acted as if they weren't -- Clinton held coffees, so they MUST by nature be CORRUPT (snicker) -- but he also implied that the GOP, who will be holding these events at embassies, was looking pretty shady and sneaky themselves.

When talk turned to race and racial profiling and Rove talked about including blacks in decision-making, Tim asked him how he thinks black Americans feel about the appointment of John Ashcroft! Tim asked it as if in passing -- but at least asked it, forcing Rove to give an evasive answer.

The next guest: Joe Lieberman. Lieberman said that he's glad to hear Rove's comment that America won't buy the plane back -- China ought to return it quickly and without cost if they want good relations -- they shouldn't make it "an airplane servicing contract!" Tim asked Lieberman about a comment in the Boston Globe to the effect that Little George was not making the decisions during the spy plane soap opera. Lieberman downplayed the comment, saying that America got the result it wanted -- our servicemen returned. What kind of grade does Smirk get? Incomplete, said Lieberman -- who then emphatically backed a version of the Bartcop Tax Rebate, an immediate rebate of surplus money to families. Lieberman was skeptical about Smirk's claim that he will lead as a centrist and support moderate initiatives. Tim cited a Washington Post article asking where America would get power in an era of increasing demand over the next two decades. Lieberman essentially said, "Good question" -- we need more production, but in an environmentally responsible manner, and also need to conserve energy more and develop solar, fuel cell and wind energy. Nuclear power has become far safer, he said -- but we need more conservation, and we need a "moon-shot" commitment to develop alternative energy sources.

Tim asked Lieberman about Rove's proposal for tutor vouchers. Lieberman said he could support it -- but he won't call them vouchers (we got a laugh out of that)! Tim said that Lieberman is backing off vouchers because "the teachers' unions have gotten to you." Lieberman laughed at the contemptible cheap shot from Russert, saying that he has been encouraged by finding ways to finance sending qualified poor kids to better schools, but it is time to improve the public schools. Tim then asked Lieberman why he said that "faith-based" cash should go to organizations under the control of Louis Farrakhan -- and Lieberman said that it was the nature of the aid that these organizations give. Lieberman said he has not met yet with Farrakhan, but would -- and wants to.

Tim then turned to fundraising by Lieberman -- is he going to run? Lieberman was evasive -- but did say he would NOT run if Gore announces in 2004 "as a matter of honor."

Lieberman also said that Bob Kerrey "is a hero... [I] have no basis for judging him harshly."

The political round table consisted of Clinton-hating ex-Nixon minion Bill "Satire" Safire and former LBJ moll Doris Kearns Goodwin -- so we ignored most of it. Safire bashed Clinton. Goodwin praised Smirk and LBJ. As if you couldn't see it coming.



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