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This is certainly a time of testing for the Bush administration. An era fraught with political peril, marked by threats from all sides. So where's the strong leadership in these times of change? Former anti-terror chief Richard Clarke has launched scathing charges that the Bush White House has not done nearly enough to protect the American people. What's the first clue that he's right? Right now, the Bushies can't even protect themselves.
As expected, the administration organized a rapid-fire assault on Clarke's character and credibility. But the Bush team has gone to the well one too many times with this type of ad hominem attack. The American public has watched it happen to former Ambassador Joseph Wilson when he spoke out against the yellowcake claim, former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill when he charged that the administration was putting too much focus on Iraq, and now Clarke. The pattern is clear: slime the opponent and wrap yourself in the American flag. At this point it is disturbingly obvious that the administration's quiver is out of arrows – Bush officials are reduced to making the talk show rounds armed only with the grownup equivalent of schoolyard taunts like, "I know you are, but what am I?"
Clarke's assertions have ripped gaping holes in the administration's defense, and even an all-out media assault by the White House did nothing to repair the damages. Here's a quick rundown of quotes (and why they don't make sense) from various members of the Bush team in regards to Clarke's statements:
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Mr. G
As expected, the administration organized a rapid-fire assault on Clarke's character and credibility. But the Bush team has gone to the well one too many times with this type of ad hominem attack. The American public has watched it happen to former Ambassador Joseph Wilson when he spoke out against the yellowcake claim, former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill when he charged that the administration was putting too much focus on Iraq, and now Clarke. The pattern is clear: slime the opponent and wrap yourself in the American flag. At this point it is disturbingly obvious that the administration's quiver is out of arrows – Bush officials are reduced to making the talk show rounds armed only with the grownup equivalent of schoolyard taunts like, "I know you are, but what am I?"
Clarke's assertions have ripped gaping holes in the administration's defense, and even an all-out media assault by the White House did nothing to repair the damages. Here's a quick rundown of quotes (and why they don't make sense) from various members of the Bush team in regards to Clarke's statements:
MORE
Mr. G
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