What did they know and when, etc?
BUSH CANDIDACY takes big hit. Thirty-year counter-terrorism expert
Richard Clarke reveals Bush team's antiterror efforts misguided and negligent. They ignored ominous warnings from outgoing Clinton officials. Bush even ignored daily briefings from CIA's George Tenet about likely Al Qaeda attack. Bush obsessed with Iraq -- on 9/12 all but ordered Clarke to find any Iraq connection. (Clinton leaders not covered in glory -- covered own behinds at hearings.)
"60 Minutes" clock hadn't stopped ticking before administration sent out more attackers to destroy Clarke than they had dogging bin Laden pre-9/11. Based on number of interviews, Bush's new terrorism expert must be Dan Bartlett, White House PR man. Cheney says Clarke "out of the loop," but Condoleezza Rice says, "He was in every meeting about terrorism." Bush caddies claim Clarke is Kerry partisan, but Clarke held high-level sensitive posts for Reagan, Bush's father, Clinton, and W himself.
The book(s) on Bush. Clarke's book and ex-Treasurer Paul O'Neill's book show W disengaged, determined to do opposite of Clinton, manipulated by ideologues, driven by own preconceptions, not facts and events. A man, in short, totally unprepared for the office and times. Bush-ready. "Had my administration had any information that terrorists were going to attack New York City on Sept. 11, we would have acted." I for one am comforted that knowing terrorists were going to fly 767s into buildings would have prompted Bush to act.
The power of apology. Clarke offered dignified apology to 9/11 families. "Your government failed you. Those entrusted with protecting you failed you. And I failed you." Survivors' embrace of him stood in sharp contrast to Bush allies' attacks on him.
Should we move convention to Utah? By all accounts, Mitt Romney was first-rate host for 2002 Olympic games in Salt Lake City. Raised private money. Got federal money. Cooperated with Democratic SLC mayor Rocky Anderson (remember his TV spot for Romney in last campaign?). Convinced state to let him keep some ticket revenue to pay for security. Even directed traffic, deploying
f-word to move things along. "Massachusetts is my home," Romney swore during residency flap. But here at home, Romney's MBTA wants to shut down North Station during convention. Won't take down Green Line overpass that darkens entrance to Fleet. Buses to take delegates to convention suddenly go missing. Mass Pike says parcel of land city needs for protesters and bus parking now on hold over "paperwork." Romney alienating mayor with longest memory this side of Tony Soprano. Now Gov says move convention to waterfront. Mitt, did anyone suggest moving 2002 Olympics to Mormon Tabernacle?
Naming rights.
Cheney on hot seat? National Annenberg survey says: "More than one fourth [27 percent] of Republican primary voters think President Bush should choose a new running mate." Among independents who vote in Republican primaries, only 50 percent said Cheney should be kept, 39 want him gone.
GOP Veepstakes. Armchair Strategist believes Cheney already gone. Too much baggage -- Halliburton, Iraq, Scalia. Bold play is Rudy Giuliani. GOP convention in NY, just blocks from WTC, just days from 9/11 anniversary. Other choices: Tom Ridge, Homeland Color Co-coordinator from PA. Always looks dazed and confused. Other names: George Pataki, NY Gov.; Dr. Bill Frist, Senate majority leader, TN; Mel Gibson has the passion, but is, of course, nuts.
Swinging 18. General election now playing in less than half the country. In states where vote margin last time was under 10 percent, Bush won Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida*, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Gore won Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Wisconsin. And, of course, Florida. More at SwingStateProject.com.
Nader hurts. In Pennsylvania, new poll has Bush 44, Kerry 40, Nader 7. Without Nader, Kerry 45, Bush 44. In New Hampshire, Bush over Kerry, 45 to 39, Nader 8. Sans Nader, Bush leads Kerry, 47-45. West Virginia: Bush 46, Kerry 46, Nader 2. Armchair Strategist thinks it's time we have Paulie Walnuts pay Nader a visit.
Slippery slope. Snowboarding Kerry collides with Secret Service agent. Asked why he fell, says, "I don't fall down. That [SOB] ran into me." As comic Jon Stewart asked, is it good idea to insult people whose job it is to take a bullet for you?
Dan Payne is a Boston-based media consultant who worked on John Kerry's Senate campaigns and for Michael Dukakis during the 1988 presidential primaries. His column appears on alternating Saturdays and Sundays.
