Contrary to the expressed wishes of William Kristol (see Newshog 29th November) and others, Secretary of Defence Rumsfield is to remain at his post until at least the end of 2005, according to what sound like prepared statement deliberately leaked by a White House insider speaking "on conditions of anonymity". However, "Bush aides said they expect the departures of Treasury Secretary John W. Snow and Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, which would bring the replacement rate to two-thirds" of the Cabinet.
Now, maybe I am a naive Scot who doesn't really understand the relationship between the American press and the current Administration. I have to wonder what is going on with the newspapers though. If two thirds of Blair's cabinet were to jump or be pushed within a month of his winning re-election, the British press would be screaming "Cabinet Crisis" from the front pages. Here? Nary a squeak. Am I missing something?
As I see it, there can only be four reasons for the mass exodus of top Administration members who suddenly feel the need to "spend more time with the family".
a)They were incompetent in their jobs and Bush held of until after the election to get rid of the dead wood so as to avoid the possibility that questions about his competence in appointing them would effect his chances.
b)They weren't loyal enough and Bush waited until after the election to get rid of those who couldn't nod on cue for the same reason - that it might effect his election chances.
c)That the people who suddenly have a real family feeling are actually distancing themselves from a Presidency which is shaping up to be a real disaster on several fronts. They have plans to still have careers in politics after Bush's last ever term of office. They simply don't want to be around to be contaminated by the fallout.
d)A combination of two or more of the above.
Whichever it is, this Brit is scornful of the American media's lack of questions. There has been more on who will be the Democrat candidate in 2008 and yet the one thing we all know for sure is that the Republican candidate won't be George W. Bush.
A dead giveaway clue as to which of the above options may be the most prevalent reason for the exodus is hidden in the New York Times report on the resignation of Secretary of Health Thompson.
Asked if he might run for governor of Wisconsin, Mr. Thompson said: "It's entirely possible. I happen to love politics. Why would I say no?" Also, "there's a Senate seat open," he said, alluding to the seat now held by Herb Kohl, a Democrat.
Maybe Rummie realises he is already too deeply in the doodoo...
No comments:
Post a Comment