Pundit Pap
for November 16th, 1997
by The Editors

"Fast Track" Takes a Back Seat to "Weapons of Mass Destruction"
If we hear " WMD" again, we'll puke!

And... what's that Bella Abzug-ian hat Madeleine Albright's sporting these days - is it a chemical/biological warfare protection system as suggested by Slate Magazine?

Monday, November 17th, 1997 -- NEW YORK -- If you were thinking America wasn't ready to immolate the population of Iraq on Saturday, you might be chomping at the cruise missile bit Sunday morning after a non-stop blitz of anthrax/nerve gas scares served up by Administration talking heads and countered only on CBS where Face the Nation hosted a relatively calm Iraqi Ambassador who seemed to make a bit more sense than Ambassador Bill Richardson, explaining that Baghdad was simply frustrated with the six plus years U.N. 'inspection teams.' have been running unbridled through Iraq.

But no one was listening to him, and war drums were beating in unison by noon with almost 100% of the nation's "top political commentators" not only agreeing we'd obliterate Iraq, but actually calling for it. Some, including Juan Williams of the Washington Post, actually discussed a "hit" on Saddam Hussein himself - although this is malfeasance under US and international law.

Now don't get me wrong, I think we should do whatever it takes to make Saddam toe the line or flee to Idi Amin's French Riviera, but I warn you, a war with Iraq today will not be the cake walk of George Bush's yesteryear. If you're looking forward to Iraqi hit squads patrolling Madison Avenue boutiques accoutered in L.L. Bean backpacks crammed full with Anthrax aerosol bombs --Keep praying for war with Saddam.

The other 'hot' topic yesterday was Bill Clinton's "lame duck" status caused by his failure to mobilize Democrats to pass Fast Track trade legislation this year. Ho hum. But you wouldn't know what a tempest in a tea pot this issue was if you tuned in to any "poli-talk" Sunday, as show hosts tried to make you believe that the Democratic Party was whipping the White House into shape and that Dick Gephardt was about to eclipse Al Gore as the next Democrat nominee for President.

Bull.

First , it seems nearly all the pundits have forgotten the meaning of "lame duck." Lame Duck officials are not those who have lost some power over this issue or that. A lame duck is an elected official who is in office awaiting the inauguration of his or her successor. Period. End of story. Bill Clinton became a lame duck the day he was sworn in to his second term, plain and simple. Got that Mr. Will?

Second, if you think a President who is about to launch a war, albeit under UN cover, is in a weak position -- think again. The world's attention will be riveted on Bill Clinton for the foreseeable future unless Saddam gives in. If we go to war, Newt Gingrich and Trent Lott will be twin side-bars through the next election cycle unless they become anti-war activists PDQ.

After listening to five hours of pundit pap this week, I'm convinced that the White House is not eager to launch cruise missiles at Iraq and would do almost anything to disengage. The problem is that it's now probably too late to do so. War cries from Clinton aides, cabinet members and retired generals are guarded at best -- and not because they're posing. They're frightened. This time out, Saddam isn't planning to launch a few Scuds at Israel that make a few holes in Tel Aviv residential neighborhoods, and Mr. Netanyahu has already announced that Israel will retaliate and escalate the war unlike 1991 when Israel bit her tongue and bowed to US demands for patience. The Arab League is angry. Russia isn't pleased and France, well despite Chirac's delayed blessing, France will remain, well .... France.

Only our jock-sniffing British allies will follow us into the desert with eagerness. After all, what else do they have to do?

[SKIP DOWN TO THE REVIEW OR Let's turn to the details:]

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

Tony Snow, chief pundit of Fox Network invited Senator John McCain, war hero and campaign cash-nik, to the show to chat about Iraq after spending a few minutes with Senators Bob Kerrey and Dick Shelby who carried the anti-Iraq mantle and talked about Fred Thompson's Chinese connection and the FBI/Justice fiasco -- which wasn't really a fiasco at all.

McCain, probably surprised Snow - - a dyed in the wool conservative -- by deftly avoiding most questions put to him.

McCain told America that we could prevail in a war with Iraq, that it would be more difficult and take longer. But McCain looked dense when he said that President Clinton needs more time to convince America that we should chomp on Saddam. Where has he been? All polls show that between 67 and 86% Americans already support war with Iraq.

Juan Williams

Juan Williams, excited by the prospect of news, actually asked McCain whether we should "take out" Saddam, but McCain ignored this ridiculous question and brilliantly foiled Williams saying that the US would have to first set up a government in exile ready to replace the power vacuum in Iraq should Saddam fall. What he didn't say was that this is the biggest internal discussion in the White House war room as analysts fret over what might happen if Saddam succumbs and a hundred blood thirsty Iranian ayatollahs swarm over the Middle East without Hussein in place to check their progress.

Mara Liasson, seeming too hawkish to be heard on National Public Radio, asked whether we had the intelligence and the capability to track down anthrax virus supposedly cached in the Iraqi desert ready to be sprayed on American troops like so much aerosol Right Guard deodorant. McCain admitted we didn't have a clue.

Brit Hume, always good for asking the obvious, questioned McCain about what would happen if Saddam shot down one of our U2 spy planes and Tony Snow wondered if Iraqi-owned newspapers calling for terrorism were enough to rationalize a U.S. attack. McCain replied that we would certainly return fire, first with cruise missiles (which don't do much damage) and then maybe B52's.

"It's a tough call," said McCain, and like all other "strategic" commentators added, "I don't want to second guess the President."

Juan Williams, almost visibly engorged with excitement, pointed out that Iraq might launch strikes against Israel and our other allies in the region (if we have any) thus exploding the battle into a "regional conflict" or, and get this, "World War III."

Calm down Juan.

Brit Hume

Snow, reminded McCain that 75% of Americans support war with Iraq, but McCain reminded Snow how quickly that support can erode when American boys and girls are splattered on the field of battle.

In a weird segue, Snow turned to crime in his next segment featuring interviews with New Orleans Chief of Police Pennington and reportedly 'maniac' Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Phoenix, who forces criminals to wear pink underwear and houses them in desert tent cities to "teach 'em a lesson"

Snow wanted to know why people are so concerned about crime when every statistic in the nation shows crime at all-time lows. Well, it doesn't take a genius to focus on local television news, MSNBC, FOX, CNBC and even cable "culture channels" like A&E and Discovery to realize that gory crime is the nations number one fascination.

Pennington posed the question, "How can you tell a victim that crime is going down?"

Arpaio, boasted he had 1,600 prisoners living in desert rat tents. "I don't make it easy... and I'm probably s stupid politician... I would have been fired four years ago if I'd been appointed." He'll file a report next year to see if his punishment tactics are working. That's if he doesn't join Ross Perot in the booby hatch.

Pennington is into tough truant laws and curfews. " You have to go after 'them' early and modify their behavior at a young age.... take a tough stance"

Snow wanted to know about law enforcement trends to "become part of the community." To Arpaio that means forming a posse. He did, and claims it's 3,000 strong with airplanes, helicopters and four-wheel drives -- all donated from avid crime fighting private citizens and businesses in Phoenix.

Both men admitted that the media fans the fire of fear. Arpaio wisely pointed out that the new direction of crime.

"People killing people they don't know... .that's scary," he said. "There are so many murders in Phoenix that only the worst ones get covered,"

Pennington added --a chilling statement about young urban Louisianans.

" . . Many tell me they won't live past 25... they have nothing to live for and... they have no consciences"

What Pennington and Arpaio forgot to mention was the impact that the "new world order" has had on teen psyches -- that being a sense of hopelessness so extreme that it erases any sense of compunction.

Snow and his panel, made up of the usual suspects - Juan Williams, Mara Liasson, and Brit Hume turned back to Iraq and Fast Track for the last segment. Snow just had to mention a stupid Fox Poll question which showed that Americans support assassinating Saddam Hussein --- as long as no American lives are lost in the process.

Williams said he has no doubt that we'll launch cruise missiles -- "But you have to do more, " he almost pleaded.

Liasson, with her thinking cap back on, didn't think we could get rid of the "weapons of mass destruction" -- the new month-old buzz phrase.

And Brit Hume, characteristically inane, said "It remains to be seen how this plays in the Arab world and with our allies. You saw them vote yes on the sanctions at the UN after they were complaining about them for weeks before."

Snow, uncharacteristically bright, made the good point that during the last ten years we have one third fewer troops and are spending a third less on the military. A harbinger of protracted conflict?

But Williams -- a kind of silly hawk yesterday -- was quick to say "But we're still the dominant military power."

On Fast Track, Liasson nearly bubbled with the news that 82% of Democrats abandoned the President. "Triangulate You!," she giggle-quipped, referring to a political strategy the President used to position him 'above' his party and independents.

Hume, always the master of overstatement claimed, "This hurts the President terribly. Now Clinton is drifting to the left."

Hume thinks that Clinton's unwavering support of Bill Lan Lee against attacks by Orrin Hatch on his confirmation is a sign that Clinton is pandering to liberal Democrats. Of course, Clinton himself is a liberal Democrat disguised as a moderate to get elected -- something his Democrat colleagues should have learned in '96.

Williams thought Clinton needed "to get back in bed with labor" and that the president no longer has the clout to launch big programmatic legislation, but Liasson showed her stuff countering that both parties were eating themselves alive and that the White House had always planned to come up with unifying programs during the second term designed to "energize Democrats."

She's right.

Hume, for the third straight week in a row, just had to mention that racial preferences "won't work" in reference to the Bill Lan Lee civil rights nomination at Justice. But someone must have muzzled Juan Williams (Probably Roger Ailes) because he didn't counter Hume's statements aimed to convince America that racial preferences are now unfair, un-chic and kaput.

The Fox "Spinterpreter" featured Ross Perot with a rolling translation . . "Brain to mouth - come in... Mouth, this is brain, do you copy?"

Everyone laughed. Except Perot that is.

During the wrap up, Williams said, "We have trouble with the FBI that we know about for a long time...or that Reno is incompetent." I don't know what Williams was mainlining yesterday, but incompetence is not a term normally pinned to Reno. Liasson remarked that the failure of the FBI to report possible Chinese influence on Democrat fundraisers was "bad for the FBI and Justice and that it increased the pressure for an "independent counsel."

Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. Independent counsels are not appointed to investigate private citizens Mara. Okay?

Hume, defender of the GOP faith, commented that the investigation of Haley Barbour is progressing too smoothly and quickly - he called it "swimming" and seemed to be saying that Barbour would be indicted. He added that is may not be "fair"...but it looks like that." Huh? Brit, did you ever consider that Barbour is most likely a felon, that he was the only politician who traveled to Asia to collect a couple of million from questionable Chinese businessmen which he then laundered through a charity to bail out the RNC?

Get real!

Snow's final comments were a war cry. He talked about "a lot of folks being snobs when it comes to the military."

"Saddam Hussein reminds us that we remain free only by practicing military vigilance. We should tell them as often as possible. Thanks," wept Snow.

Well Tony, that's fine for purposes of becoming the Pentagon Poster Boy of the Week, but have you ever heard of the Constitution? I think it's the rule of law emanating from that document that protects our freedom, not the military, who are trained to be the first to agree with me.

THE MCLAUGHLIN GROUP

John McLaughlin began his half hour with a good one -- "Issue One: Saddamizing the UN Resolution" and continued with an absolutely brilliant and unpopular assessment of the situation in Iraq for which I congratulate him. He was the only Chief Pundit who got it right this week and his courage to do so is worth mentioning.

Simply, he underscored the truth that bombing Iraq could be the dumbest thing we've done in a long time while mirroring the private, and yet unspoken, fears of the White House.

McLaughlin, as usual, teaches as he preaches, bringing last weeks UN resolution -- unanimously agreed to by the Security Council -- in focus. He told us the resolution contained 4 main parts:

1. Condemning Iraq for expelling the American inspection team.

2. Banning foreign travel for Iraqi officials that interfere(d) with the inspections and the UN resolve.

3. A slow down in lifting UN economic sanctions from Iraq.

4. Approval for "further" unspecified measures to solve the problem.

Mort Kondracke said US use of force "has to happen" even as McLaughlin reminded his panel that only an Iraqi radar lock on a U2 spy plane would be considered an act of war by the Pentagon.

Mort Kondracke

David Gergen, a trial addition or vacation replacement on the panel, let us in on a potential secret - that the President may extend the current "no-fly" zone over the entire nation of Iraq. If anything will get them angrier that will.

Eleanor Clift began to say she felt that we are going to divide the Arab community when McLaughlin butted in, "I'm glad you brought that up . . The Arab League (which is most all Middle East countries) says they are totally rejecting any use of military force on Iraq." He added some trade statistics which showed the US in a $2 billion plus position. ($16 billion exported to the Arabs, $14 Billion exported by them to the US)

Another newcomer, Matt? Lowry, said "When Clinton acts, the war lobby will be happy..." Clift mentioned some inane thing about taking out the Iraqi broadcast towers so GE (a big sponsor of McLaughlin and NBC owner, could get the contract to replace them)

McLaughlin went on to examine the linkage between the Middle-East peace process and Saddam's Iraq. Gergen felt that if the US got the peace process on track the Arab League would be happier. "but we have to act." he added. "Why," shot back McLaughlin revealing his hand for the first time.

Kondracke answered "He used nerve gas." - right in step with Administration spin.

But McLaughlin, undaunted snapped, "are the SOOOOOO dangerous. What about China and Pakistan . . ? And what about Iran..."

Kondracke spewed that the US reaction should not be determined by the way things were going with the peace process in Israel.

And then McLaughlin let them have it: "You are living in an antiseptic atmosphere and you've lost touch with reality -- The Arab world sees us as a bully and a unilateral power -- this will fortify that image!"

Never more right was he.

Lowry, sure to be dis-invited forever actually said, "All Arabs understand is force and power," which everyone thankfully ignored.

But Clift, normally a whining liberal breath of fresh air said "We have a right to go in there."

David Gergen threw the ball back to McLaughlin -- kind of perturbed -- "What would you do, John?"

"I would stretch this U.N. thing as far as it will go and I would force a multilateral force if we have to go in. We should be focusing on reintegrating Iraq into the world community. Remember, we were on their side when they used the gas on Iran," McLaughlin snapped back.

Kondracke excused that U.S. move saying, "We were not pro Iraq then, we were tilting toward the weaker side."

McLaughlin pointed out that the trade sanctions were not working and whipped out a list of nations with "weapons of mass destruction" including, of course, the United States -- which he failed to mention. He went on to say that any leaking of terrorism would most likely come from Russia or Iran.

Eleanor Clift

But Gergen shot back, "What is terrorism if not invading your neighbor?" - a reference to Kuwait who, this week, spoke up against US military action in Iraq despite U.S. moves to rescue that corrupt regime in Desert Strom.

Huh? Hey David, since when is fighting a war with a bordering nation considered terrorism?

McLaughlin chastised the group saying, "Keep your eye on the ball, and the ball is not Saddam - it's the world community."

Gergen, adopting the White House spin like the schizoid he is, piped up with the "we have destroyed more weapons than during the Gulf War" line which I've heard about a thousand times during the past three days. But McLaughlin stuck to his guns saying that nations can have chemical and biological weapons -- "That's not a sufficient reason to inflict the kind of damage we are contemplating. You cannot unleash the force we have without a compelling reason!"

Gergen, weakened, said, " We take guns from murderers," forgetting that that's done in OUR country not Iraq.

Gergen, Lowry, McLaughlin and Clift agreed that Saddam was thus far winning the showdown with only Kondracke scoring it as a stand-off.

McLaughlin ended the segment saying, "Saddam is the winner. He is making the US seem more and more isolated."

My hat's off to you John.

After the break McLaughlin switched to boring fast track - "Lame Duck on a Fast Track?," he opened, adding that foreign nations now cannot regard Clinton as a serious trade dealer. Here, McLaughlin is wrong, but put an interesting question on the table. Too bad the group was not able to pick up on it. Lowry, an obvious White House basher, said stupid things like "Democrats don't like Clinton," and "Clinton has a lack of agenda."

Kondracke, for some reason, focused on Clinton's education agenda as a bailer, but followed that Clinton had lost with fast track because trade is "a different matter" for Democrats and he failed to get the people behind him. - "You can't win that way." he added.

For the sexually explicit comment of the day, Eleanor Clift offered that the President didn't play it to win. "He thought he could slip it in and he cohabitated with the Republicans, " at which point , Gergen moaned.

Clift also offered up some crazy theory that if Gore was still strong then the President was not a lame duck. Does she think that Gore is Clinton's puppet to control after 2000?

McLaughlin shafted Clinton saying "He is a lame duck" -- again violating the definition of the overused term -- but then added the Super Zinger: "and so is Gingrich!"

But David Gergen had the last word here saying "They won't be saying "Lame Duck" in Baghdad in a few days."

GROUP PREDICTIONS: Watch Bob Chase, the new head of the NEA for a departure from National Education Association norms. Jimmy Hoffa Jr. will be the next president of the Teamsters and give the AFL-CIO headaches; Senator John Breaux will head the new Health Care Commission and Clinton will bring back the Bill Lan Lee nomination early next year.

All of which are well known inside the beltway.

NOTE: McLaughlin has my vote as the best-thinking commentator on political television. I may not agree with his right-leaning tendencies, but his consistent wit, coupled with his Socratic style make him a 'must see' each week. John's favorite "McLaugh-lines" entertain and educate with surprising force, focus and clarity. He's a real pro, and should be considered very seriously when NBC is ready for a new nightly news anchor.

MEET THE PRESS

Tim Russert had to disappoint after two brilliant past weeks featuring a veritable who's who of American politics. This week he featured General Norman Schwarzkopf who basically held the line on illuminating strategy for Iraq, and Samuel "Sandy" Berger, NSC chief and oft-mentioned replacement as White House Chief of Staff.

As a topper and a boner, he featured Rush Limbaugh, a new low in the MTP saga, not because Limbaugh was on, but because Russert and Lisa Meyers treated him as someone with a brain, rather than a trained hippo for the GOP.

Berger was the most interesting but long-absent honeymooner Andrea Mitchell asked the best questions.

Berger said that Saddam is simply out to get the UN economic sanctions lifted from Iraq, He stressed the old anti-Iraq coalition had to re-coalesce and hoped that military action could be prevented. He told Mitchell that we'd "go it alone" it we had to, but first try more diplomacy, then multinational attack, and finally unilateral war.

But Mitchell pointed out that Madeleine Albright was in the Gulf and that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were giving her trouble on any U.S. use of force in Iraq. Berger absolutely clipped her wings saying : "That's not what I hear. She had a good reaction in Bahrain."

Mitchell kept pressing him on the Saudi reaction and Berger refused to address it.

Mitchell then switched to a 'what if the Israelis attack Saddam' tack. Berger really blew this question - whether purposely or not - addressing whether we, the US, would attack and ignoring the Israeli wildcard which would open any war with Iraq into a Middle East conflagration nightmare.

But Mitchell kept pounding away reminding Berger that Albright had called Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu on the carpet for being recalcitrant in the peace talks and Berger agreed that it is extremely important that the peace process "get together."

Russert posed the question, "How does Saddam save face and still comply?" Berger only offered that Saddam could save the situation by letting the inspectors back into Iraq to proceed with their work. "If he complies, there is light at the end of the tunnel and then he can build a different kind of future."

What Berger seemed to say is that this hijacks on the part of Saddam was working. The implication here? If Saddam plays nice, we might be willing to lift most, or all, the economic sanctions.

Is this what it's all about?

Some talk on Chinese money influencing US elections ensued with Berger defending White House posture and reminding Russert and Mitchell that Wei Shung (phonetic) - a famous Chinese dissident had been released only hours before.

Rush Limbaugh was the disappointing next guest who changed his spots for network television and pretended to be a deep thinker rather than a whore to neo-nazi politics.

Some notable Rush-isms:

There is no such thing as a new Democrat...They are just a bunch of small special interest groups...It's payback time for Democrats . The President looted the DNC... But he's fortunate because Iraq is serious stuff...This is no place to say the president has been bailed out again (although he said it didn't he?)

Russert quizzed Limbaugh on gays and gay rights along with Lisa Meyers who was playing adoring foil to Rush. Limbaugh said," I don't think he (The President) has to secure the gay vote. Where is it going to go? This was symbolic. Why didn't he did it in an election year 1993 or next year. He did it in an off year."

What a sleaze.

Then Rush launched into his latest favorite frenzy over remarks Clinton made a few weeks ago regarding the fact that the US spends 10 times the amount "per death" on AIDS research and how that makes other Americans. who don't have "BEHAVIORAL" diseases feel.

What a moron.

Limbaugh stupidly thinks that cultural issues are "huge" - and that they will be the watchwords -- over the next four years for Republicans. Gobbledygook. He also said that recent renaming of Louisiana schools that were named after slaveholders like George Washington is "revisionist history" "This is a clear indication that civil rights leaders want segregation. George Washington was the founder of this country - now civil rights leaders say this -- that the foundation of the nation is flawed - this is terrible!, " he croaked.

Of course, Limbaugh can be excused as just plain stupid. Fact is, the nation was flawed in the 19th century by allowing anyone to hold slaves, let alone it's leadership -- which included Washington, Jefferson and about 60% of the framers.

But the shock came when Lisa Meyers took Limbaugh's side saying, This is retroaction gone amok. If you applied this to women's issues none would pass."

What women's issues have to do with forced slavery for no wages and early death is beyond this writer. Meyers -- you looked the fool yesterday.

Limbaugh, of course, blames the problem on "multiculturalism" he says that takes kids and teaches them they don't have a chance because they are in a minority. "This stuff is the result of a lack of guts," he said, "The kid's minds are being poisoned... the (Hatch) Committee on Bill Lan Lee is trying to say this."

Oh my gosh. I guess Rush doesn't think what it's like to be a three year old Black kid and look out the window at a street full of nothing. These kids are already hopeless before entering pre-school. And rightfully so.

Limbaugh, already on record as a Forbes supporter didn't miss a beat on Meet The Press, extolling the virtues of Steve Forbes with Lisa Meyers agreeing that Forbes had the "best organization. " But Meyers favored Bush Jr. of Texas as the GOP nominee and made that clear.

Limbaugh was a low point for Meet the Press.

FACE THE NATION

Face the Nation was the best place to be yesterday if you were interested in anything but the White House party line. FTN featured the Iraqi Ambassador, head to head with U.S. United Nations Ambassador Bill Richardson. The Iraqi made Richardson look pretty dismal in comparison - mostly because Hussein's diplomat seemed to be telling the truth -- even if he wasn't.

Richardson, on the other hand had no sellable rationale for going to war with Iraq save the same old story about "weapons of mass destruction" poison gas, and biological weapons. Yet, Richardson couldn't explain why we haven't invaded other hostile nations -- most of which also have the same weapons and chemicals stockpiled for future use.

Bob Schieffer came on all too strong with the Iraqi Ambassador and in doing so muffled interview -

SCHIEFFER FOR CBS: "HEY, YOU LOST THE WAR AND AGREED TO THESE CONDITIONS - WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO... . "

THE IRAQI AMBASSADOR: "WE HAVE BEEN DOING OUR JOB FOR SIX AND A HALF YEARS...WE HAVE ABIDED... UNFORTUNATELY THE SANCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN LIFTED. AS TO THE WEAPONS - EVERYTHING HAD BEEN DESTROYED - THE ONLY THINGS LEFT IS DOCUMENTATION."

CBS: "AMERICANS WERE THROWN OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE GETTING CLOSE TO DISCOVERING MORE..."

AMBASSADOR: "YOU THINK THE AMERICANS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT COULD DISCOVER THIS, NOT THE BRITISH OR THE FRENCH?

CBS: "FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC SAID THIS MORNING YOU ARE UNACCEPTABLE."

AMBASSADOR : "WE HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO THIS FROM FRUSTRATION - WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT WE ARE DOING."

CBS: "SADDAM TALKS ABOUT USING HUMAN SHIELDS - WHAT IS TO BE SAID FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?"

AMBASSADOR: "ANYTHING THAT WOULD HELP TO STOP AN ATTACK ON IRAQ WOULD BE HELPFUL - THOSE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO PREVENT MILITARY ACTION."

CBS: "DOESN'T THAT MAKE YOU A LITTLE ASHAMED - TO PUT CHILDREN AT RISK?!"

AMBASSADOR: "I THINK PEOPLE THAT DO THE BOMBING SHOULD BE ASHAMED."

CBS: "WILL YOU SHOOT DOWN THE U2 IF IT FLIES OVER IRAQ?"

AMBASSADOR: " I THINK IT STILL STANDS - WE ARE DOING THAT DEFENSIVELY - WE DID NOT SHOOT AT THE U2 FOR 7 YEARS."

CBS: " HOW IS A U2 OFFENSIVE? - IT HAS NO ARMAMENTS."

AMBASSADOR: "MILITARY INTELLIGENCE COULD BE USED AGAINST US."

CBS: "BUT YOU'VE ALREADY SAID YOU HAVE NO WEAPONS TO HIDE. IRAQ WOULD RATHER BE BOMBED THAN INSPECTED?"

AMBASSADOR: "NO - BUT WE HAVE BEEN "INSPECTED" FOR 7 YEARS."

CBS: "CAN ANYONE MEDIATE THIS SITUATION?"

AMBASSADOR: " NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING SERIOUSLY."

CBS: "DO YOU DOUBT THE U.S. WILL USE MILITARY FORCE?"

AMBASSADOR: "THOUSAND ARE BEING KILLED ANYWAY BY THE SANCTIONS. I SAY TO AMERICANS...YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO OUR EXPLANATION... WE HAVE NEVER HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY."

And sure enough, that's when Schieffer cut off the Ambassador denying him a full opportunity to explain the Iraqi position. He then went to Bill Richardson and, after some banter, got down to this:

BR : "WELL, THE GOAL HERE IS TO PREVENT SADDAM FROM USING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION - THIS IS NOT A FIGHT BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE U.S. IT IS THE U.N.

CBS: WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT THERE ARE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION STILL THERE?"

BR: "THE WEAPONS EVIDENCE IS VAST, WELL DOCUMENTED, AND THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL IS UNANIMOUSLY CONDEMNING THIS ACTION. (Throwing out the inspectors)"

CBS: "BUT KUWAIT SAYS NO TO U.S. OR U.N. MILITARY ACTION."

BR: "FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE GETTING A DI FFERENT MESSAGE FROM THE KUWAITI MINSTER OF DEFENSE. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT IS ACTIVE IN THE REGION, AND WITH FRANCE AND RUSSIA."

CBS: "WHAT ABOUT THE SAUDIS?"

BR : (AVOIDING THE QUESTIONS) "WE HAVE SUFFICIENT FORCES IN THE REGION TO DO THE JOB. WE WILL PREVENT SADDAM FROM USING THOSE WEAPONS."

CBS: "WILL THE U.S. DO IT ALONE?"

BR: "WE WANT A CONCERTED ACTION, BUT WE HAVE NOT RULED OUT ANYTHING."

Richardson went on to end with the fact that President Jacques Chirac had made a supportive statement that morning and that Russian President Boris Yeltsin was expected to do the same.

THIS WEEK

Cokie Roberts

It seemed that Secretary of Defense Cohen was the permanent guest of Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts this weekend.

The Secretary, pushing the White House line was tough, well prepared and answered questions, and even tough barbs well.

I must say, however that his "show and tell-like demonstration of "weapons of mass destruction" during the show was just a tad too theatrical and hurt the image of the second most powerful cabinet official in the world.

About halfway through the second segment and in a demonstration of how easy it would be for Saddam to kill all the residents of New York, Cohen brought out, from beneath the desk, a five pound bag of sugar. "This represents Anthrax virus - enough to destroy an entire city," he said. Then he snuck out what appeared to be an eye-dropper or a thimble and said "one thimble full of this VX gas will kill you.

What was this preposterous theater of the absurd about? Scaring the heck out of America, to make certain we were 100% behind wiping Saddam and his cronies from the face of the Earth.

It reminded me of Cuban Missile Crisis. I think I was ten or eleven at the time. I remember my parent's deep concern over the course of the blockade. I remember practicing "Duck and Cover" routines at elementary school on Long Island. But most of all, I remember how I cried one night at the dinner table when my father was talking about how serious the threat of WW III was at the time. I was just a scared little boy who wasn't ready to die over a tiny island with a bearded man who used to be our friend.

I wondered how kids watching Cohen were reacting. Probably not as bad. They probably weren't watching at all -- still asleep after a late night undercover marathon with the GAME BOY.

One of Cohen's jobs yesterday was to convert rumor to fact. He did this fairly well, citing what we assumed were hard statistics on captured "weapons of mass destruction."

"We found almost 4 tons of VX gas which could wipe out millions. We found 2,100 gallons of Anthrax virus. We found 150 missiles when he said he had 49," ticked off Cohen.

What he forgot to mention, was that most of this stuff was found during the first months -- even before formal UN inspection. Not much has been found since.

Cokie Roberts asked an unusually intelligent question. "How can you bomb anthrax? Is that not an inhibition on our air power?" Cokie was looking for signs of a ground invasion, but she didn't get it. Cohen stonewalled muttering something about revealing military strategy.

George Will wanted to know what the chances were to get support from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He knew the answer, not much. But Cohen pressed on seemingly saying Turkish and Saudi leaders were supporting us -- perhaps not too openly.

Good ole Sam Donaldson can always be counted on for comic relief. He actually asked Cohen whether the U.S. was "making plans to TAKE OUT Saddam. "Surely, we have to strike at the head?, " said Sam.

Kristol said Saddam is winning this thing every day this goes on. He's rebuilding capacity. If you go in, you have to use ground troops in order to get rid of Saddam. I think that's the right action, and this means serious planning and that means going to Congress.

But Kristol was wrong. The President does not have to go to Congress -- although he's already brought in congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle to brief them. They are all on board. At least for now.

Cokie tried to segue to fast track about 45 minutes into the show, but it didn't work.

Cohen went on saying that all Iraq's neighbors are apprehensive about Saddam and we "intend to heighten that apprehension. I have been in contact with my counterparts and have found something different than the reported anti-American sentiment on this issue.

As a side observation: All the men on these panels, throughout the morning and on every show, seemed almost giggly when they asked specific "war" - related questions. You could hear the testosterone flowing. George Will was no exception when he pressed Secretary Cohen on whether our U2 spy planes would be accompanied by fighter jets.

Of course Cohen didn't answer him -- not wanting to give anything away, yet wanting to telegraph Saddam -- who was watching in real time -- that we want to deal. Cohen did go so far as to assure Will that U2's could fly in a relatively safe way -- accompanied or not. But at this writing, none have done so.

Cokie wanted to know if Cohen thought it wise for the U.N. to withdraw all its inspectors.

"Absolutely," replied Cohen with never a hint that this was a stupid question. What was the U.N.. to do? Leave them there to be killed by our bombs or kidnapped and tortured by Iraqis?

The sickest part of the program was Sam Donaldson's lead in to a very real celebration of Lindy Boggs's swearing-in as Ambassador to the Vatican last week. ABC spent nearly five minutes on this absolutely unimportant post and event in deference to Cokie who is Mrs., Boggs's daughter and New York columnist Steve Robert's wife. Unlike her husband Hale Boggs who reached across color and party lines to form coalitions, Lindy is a schemer. I was in her Washington co-op with Lynn Cutler the night a gaggle of Democrats planned the "smothering" of Jesse Jackson and the subsequent DNC refusal to allow Jackson to speak at the Democrat convention that year. I was appalled that a Southern congresswoman would host such a conspiracy of deception -- So appalled that I did not listen to the full discussion. I've never trusted Lindy Boggs or Cokie Boggs Roberts since.

I hope Jackson is reading.

But Donaldson gets the DUMB QUOTE OF THE WEEK closing the show with, "Gee Cokie, I hope she puts in a good word with the Holy Father. Maybe he'll let us interview him."

Cokie looked mortified, but then again doesn't she always?

REVIEW:

FACE THE NATION disappointed, dropping a very important ball. This was the first time that an American television network had the chance to allow an Iraqi official to give the Iraqi spin on this crisis. Schieffer's style was lamentable and was only stirred on by his sidekick.

MCLAUGHLIN was at his best this week and hopefully gave policymakers pause in what seems to be a headlong and headstrong leap into an Iraqi abyss.

MEET THE PRESS lacked style this week, but some of Sandy Berger's forthcoming comments were notable - especially his signal to Baghdad that the Administration knew Saddam was fed up with the sanctions. But Tim, giving Limbaugh even a little respect is beneath you. I don't care how much revenue he generates for ABC radio in New York.

THIS WEEK was it's normally disappointing hour. The only thing saving it was Cohen's theatrics and Donaldson's faux pas re the Pope. Interview him - come on Sam! And Cokie -- loosen up. You're really not all that important. Really. Trust me. You're a good looking woman. Relax that hair, its looks like your strangling your scalp.

FOX NEWS SUNDAY was, as always, chock full of content. Fox and host Tony Snow manage to pack in a walloping lot of information in its hour or pap. If one dismisses Hume as a bitter old hag, and focuses on Snow's boyish questions and some outlandish answers - you'll be entertained. Anyway, there's nothing else on at 9AM Sunday worth watching for pols. One word to Juan Williams. Whatever you're smoking - stop.

Sorry, we didn't get to Frank Sesno on CNN . Football is killing his show.

FINAL THOUGHTS -

The Iraqi Ambassador made some good points on Face the Nation yesterday -- Points that Americans should consider, along with those made by John McLaughlin whose comments were more from a US economic and power play position than the more personal comments of the Iraqi ambassador. The ambassador, with English not his strong point, had trouble explaining his views --- especially with Schieffer's aggressive style.

Personally, I want only what's good for our country. But I'm not so sure that attacking Iraq is in our best interests, although properly planned, the end of Saddam Hussein's regime would be good for the rest of the world. Right now, it's important to know that nothing stands between the warlike Iranian Ayatollahs and the rest of the Middle East. No Arab nation is equipped,. either militarily or culturally to keep Iran in check. Iran, on the other hand, wouldn't blink at using whatever weapons, including nuclear warheads, to further it's religious goals.

Second, There was a good reason we did not pursue Desert Storm to its natural conclusion. There is no person in Iraq ready to lead that country in the absence - planned or otherwise - of Saddam. Without a western-leaning leader in Baghdad, the power vacuum is like a black hole, sucking all moderate Arab influences dry and inviting Iran to fill the gap.

Arab leaders are nearly all more than uncomfortable with America's new role as U.N. military puppet, and so are a few quiet American leaders, even if we are the U.N. puppeteer.

Added to this quietly growing ant-Americanism, is the ongoing "adjustment" to world economies which threaten nearly every region save North America. This doesn't sit well with the rest of the world. Like the middle child in a large family, the rest of the world watches, with some envy, as the U.S. continues to spoil its citizens with a pattern of conspicuous consumption both at home and abroad.

A move on Iraq, perceived as a self-serving U.S. mission would be regrettable. Only with total accord from the Arab states and ALL of our allies, could the U.S. and Britain move on Baghdad with peace of mind.

Anything less is a crap shoot. For no matter how we spin it, the rest of the world will remain somewhat fearful, envious and rightfully nervous over increasing disparity between American economic and military power as it relates to other nations.

Not an enviable position.

One last thing. Today, before you and I awoke, more than 50 innocent tourists were gunned down at Luxor, Egypt by Islamic terrorists. It's too early to say from where they came, but it's not too late to realize that one of the only things standing between Iran - the base for this chaos - and American cities -- is Saddam's Iraq. Not a pleasant choice.

But then, when is it?

Mixed Bag
Iraq, Impeachment, Whitewater, Reno & Carey
by Mac MacArthur

Tuesday, November 18th 1997 -- NEW YORK (APJP) -- You're sure Congress has gone home for the holidays when you have to mix your thoughts on American politics among multiple issues. Today is one such day. So, let's talk about Iraq; the John Birch Society's silly games; The latest laugh on "White-Naughter"; Janet Reno's conversation with the Chinese Justice Minister; and; Jimmy Hoffa's deliverance from defeat.

IRAQ

Are our pilots coming home?
I have to reason that the White House is wired to John McLaughlin's brain as it begins to wisely back off its 'Saddamizing' plans. One thing's for sure, a bunch of dejected war-monger television pundits are sitting around their Jacuzzis this morning trying to figure out what occurred during the last 24 hours to make them all look like fools.

"Where's the scuds?," they lament. It's simple. You were snookered by your own zeal for headlines and a President who actually thinks before he acts. Unlike former President Bush, Bill Clinton wasn't eager to launch cruise missiles at Baghdad and risk American lives without trying diplomacy first. And maybe, just maybe, he was concerned to punish innocent Iraqi men, women and children any more than we already have through seven years of economic sanctions resulting in a pretty poor Iraqi living standard -- poor enough to kill.

Then again, the President is still beefing up the fleet and the air force in 'Desertville' while at the same time offering Saddam a deal that might ease those sanctions. This seemingly schizophrenic policy is anything but crazy.

One can picture Saddam ruminating, gleeful on one hand that he's focused world attention on these crippling sanctions, and fearful on the other that the U.S. remains poised to strike -- and even as I write today, is sending more armor to the Gulf. "What's that guy Clinton up to?," thinks Saddam.

I'd say that's just where we want him. After all, it's a win/win situation. The President proves his international "stuff" and Saddam gets his oil-for-food deal with the U.N. What could be peachier? This writer doesn't know what will happen, but all signs point to an agreement between the U.S. and Iraq which will result in a slightly different mix for the U.N. inspector teams and a new "rapprochement" (that's French) with Hussein.

What happened? Well, one need only look to Egypt and the Valley of the Queens where the bullet-mutilated bodies of innocent tourists lie in plastic bags ready for shipment home via DHL. Who murdered them? A bunch of low class, uneducated, unemployed Egyptians who, taking their clues from Iran, and have decided to engage in a mini-jihad to prove Islam is the answer to all that ails them.

And who stands between Iran and its fanatic Islamic goals? You got it -- Saddam Hussein.

IMPEACHMENT NUT BARR ALLIES

The John Birch Society Bogus "Bill"-board
Even as the President worked during the wee hours in the Mid-West, juggling fund raising responsibilities with high-level diplomatic maneuvering and trying to spend time with his daughter; a bunch of losers in Wisconsin were plotting the overthrow of the White House.

You know the kind: Pro Pete Wilson, anti-minority -- except for sell-out Ward Connerly, pro themselves, and pea-brained with average IQ's under 75. Yep, that's them -- The John Birch "Society" -- which has happily adopted and even eclipsed 'House Moron' Bob Barr's impeachment resolution as their own.

Birchers have always been a laughing stock, even among the mostly outrageous litter of self-serving political 'think tanks' populating the nation -- often located in the Mid West where they can take advantage of farmer mentality and the general boredom pervading the corn and rust belts.

If you think Birchers aren't out of control - this is just their web banner.
The Birch Society is best known for putting up billboards urging the impeachment of Chief Justice Earl Warren. That ought to stimulate you.

There is no underestimating their power. They have none. But if you visit their web site, you might think they do. The "Society" is a group funded by non-thinkers posing as super-intellects. Their internet presence is enormous and their site must have cost tens of thousands to design. They have multiple addresses and mirror sites. Birchers don't fool around but, of course, fool themselves.

Take their impeachment effort -- and it's monstrously big. Birchers have mounted a 20 page web site with direct-link e-mail to the congress. From there you can electronically mail a "petition" to the Capitol. Of course the petition is written by some clown at the Birch Society. Wow! There have to be at least a million nuts out there who'll "sign" it. What if congress takes them seriously?

Don't be concerned. They won't. The e-mail won't even be answered. Like most Birch projects this one's a total waste of time. Almost all Congressional e-mail is robot-replied. No one reads it. Try it, you'll see. But I made a few phone calls anyway to see how the Birch effort is working. The general answer from congressional offices was that they are getting no Birch petition mail, e-mail, or otherwise and that if they did, they'd simply toss it in the trash when they realized it was emanating from Birch.

You see, the "Society" like most of its ilk, is delusional. It thinks it can influence Congress when authentic advocacy groups have trouble doing so.

For a clue to what Birchers stand for - check out their "publications." You can actually purchase them:

Again, May God Forgive Us by Welch

An 'summary' of subversive activities in our government, revealing 'crucial and appalling' facts of a foreign policy that has led from one Communist victory to another.

Ambush at Ruby Ridge by Bock

The book chronicles the U.S. government's elaborate multi-million-dollar 18-month surveillance of Randy Weaver, an Idaho 'backwoods resident' indicted on firearms charges. Contains detailed, "never-before-told accounts "of events from the initial siege to the shoot-to-kill orders given by the FBI.

America 2000/Goals 2000 Moving the Nation Educationally to a "New World Order" by Patrick

Contains the entire text of Goals 2000: Educate America Act and an "analysis" of its "implications," such as the government's "monitoring" of the home and family in the name of ensuring quality education. A "priceless resource" for informing yourself and others.

America: To Pray or Not to Pray by Barton

This book uses government statistics to show that 1962 was the year religious principles were first separated from public affairs and was the year that "the decline" started in youth, education, families, and the nation. There are more than 40 "charts" presented in this book.

America's March Toward Communism: Forsaking Our Heritage by Hendrickson

The "author " argues that the concept of private property is central to the struggle between Communism and capitalism: The forces of freedom are losing the epic struggle because they neither recognize nor understand the basic stepping stones toward slavery under Marxism.

America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones by Sutton

This one book contains the four previous Antony Sutton titles which all expose The Order: a secret, senior-year society at Yale University, many members of which have attained positions of "power far beyond most people's imaginations." : )

Anti-Capitalist Mentality by von Mises

An analysis of the roots and consequences of present worldwide anti-capitalistic bias.

Basic Communism by Carson

This is a who's who in the communist world, providing a chronology of major events in communism from the late 18th century to the present, and biographical sketches of major characters. It lays bare the tyranny inherent in the Marxist ideology, made manifest in all countries controlled by communists.

And last, but no least:

Exercises for students, questions, suggestions for projects and the like have been reserved for the Teacher's Guide. The teacher may use these materials to supplement, reword, or omit material from the Basic History set. I wonder which teachers use this to set up there lesson plans?

Oh, happy day! What could be better than to focus national attention on the John Birch Society, a covey of fruitcakes who still think the commies are coming to get us, that market capitalism is God, and that "secret societies" control the world. And what better group to endorse Bob Barr's nutty impeachment resolution. It just warms my heart.

By the way, you can purchase your own mini-billboard which shouts "Impeach Clinton Now!" for a mere $125.00. Just call Paul Smith -- a Birch mental midget, and "campaign director" of The Birch Society's "Clinton Action Committee" in Appleton, Wisconsin. He'll ship it PDQ.

Only $125.00 - give me a break.

RENO AND XIAO

Janet Reno - looking elegant
for her Mah Jonng game with
Xiao Yang
For a real chuckle picture Attorney General Janet Reno sitting around the table with Chinese Justice Minister Xiao Yang asking if he might cooperate with Newt Gingrich, Dan Burton and Fred Thompson to "Bring In" Charlie Trie.

Yikes!

Reno, surely only posing as a nut for the benefit of GOP Witch Hunters, actually did ask Xiao for "full cooperation" with the investigation lead by the campaign finance task force at Justice. The Justice Department and the FBI, knowing what evil really lurks out there, is getting tired of this Republican scam and the absolute drain it's putting on Department and Bureau resources. But like the good trooper she is, Ms. Reno made the request and dutifully announced it for the benefit of salivating GOPers.

Of course, the Attorney General's office wouldn't release details of just what kind of cooperation General Reno asked for.

Wink.

Here's how I think the conversation went:

RENO: (Chuckling over a brandy in the midst of hot Mah Jonng game) "Minster Xiao, you know that the Republicans - the ones that still think communism is a threat - are trying to smash President Clinton's reputation and his programs to reach out to your country similar to the detente arrangements with the Soviet Union."

XIAO: "Yes General Reno, I am well aware of this, but I must ask you why you haven't indicted Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Barbour for their "Shanghai Express" rip off of the Yeong Brothers? You know, they are our friends and your friends as well."

RENO: "We are working on that Mr. Minister."

XIAO: "As Martha Stewart says, "That's a good thing."

RENO: "Now, you know you are free, even invited , to ignore everything I am about to say...

But I was just wondering...Could you track down Charlie Trie, kidnap him, and force him to confess -- in writing and on videotape -- that President Clinton extorted him for Chinese Government money, and then tried to shut him up using CIA operatives? Then I hope you can kind of bundle him up and ship him either to Fred Thompson's office or Dan Burton's back yard -- You know, that's where Congressman Burton shoots at melons in the shape of Vince Foster's head to prove the President had him murdered. Can you do this for me?

XIAO: Did you say something?

WHITE-"NAUGHTER"

Prince of Darkness Jim McDougal
Here's another chuckle.

After finding a mysterious check in the back of a rusted-out jalopy made payable to President Clinton about a dozen years ago -- a check that was never endorsed -- a former "loan officer" who worked at Jim McDougal's Madison Savings & Loan for a couple of days in 1983 tells America he "saw" Bill Clinton's name on a list of outstanding loans.

Remember, the President says he never borrowed money from Madison.

"I just noticed it," Howard Taylor, McDougal's former employee, told The Associated Press. The loan was in the $20,000- to $30,000-range on the list, but no loan folder with details of the transaction could be found, according to Taylor.

As the Church Lady says on Saturday Night Live: "How Conveeeeeenient!"

Taylor said he left the job at Madison Savings and Loan because he felt "the bank had poor loan and record-keeping practices."

Oh, by the way... Here's a list of possible people that actually got that loan: Maybe you should them?

Clinton, Billy - Maryland Pl, Sherwood, AR 72120-3090 Phone: (501)835-5739

Clinton, William - Navajo Trl, North Little Rock, AR 72116-5320 Phone: (501)835-4007

Clinton, William - Garfield, AR 72732 Phone: (501)359-3337

AND, there are 115 other "William Clintons" living in America - 16 of them have the middle initial "J". There are also 37 "Bills and Billy's" that could have gotten that loan -- if it ever really existed.

Got that Malibu Ken Starr?

DELLUMS AND FAZIO QUIT

Retiring Ron Dellums	Vic Fazio: Next stop 1600 Pennsylvania

Two major Democrats will quit the House next year. Ron Dellums and Vic Fazio announced yesterday that they would leave congress next year to pursue private interests. Dellums, a key Vietnam anti-war activist has represented Berkeley, California voters since 1970. Fazio, who is rumored to be one choice to replace as White House Chief of Staff was elected in 1978. Fazio denies he is leaving to fill Bowles' spot.

Dellums plans to depart on February 6th next year and not stay for his full term. Fazio indicated he would retire at the end of his term rather than seek re-election.

A Democrat is sure to capture Dellums's seat, but Fazio, who just squeaked past his latest Republican opponent last time out , may be handing his seat to the Republicans.

California Democratic officials were stupefied by Fazio's announcement.

No matter what the official line is, Both Dellums and Fazio, hooked on having power when Democrats dominated both houses of Congress, now find themselves bored, frustrated and virtually powerless in Newt Gingrich's fantasy congress. Rather than beat his brains out raising money and perhaps losing his seat in 1998, Fazio is doing the smart thing -- getting out while he's still young -- and pursuing his private American dream.

HARI "CAREY"

Ron is out, Jimmy Jr.'s in.

It's one thing to be the leader of the "Reform" movement in the Teamsters, it's another to be found culpable of election fraud and still lead that charge, let alone the union.

That's what happened to almost ex-Teamster president Ron Carey, who was fingered by a court-appointed investigator as "knowing" his campaign was improperly siphoning cash from union coffers and raising illegal money from corporations the Teamsters deal with. His knowledge and potential "cooperation" with the normal campaign shenanigans of some union elections, has cost Carey his job and almost guarantees Jimmy Hoffa the top Teamster spot.

Kenneth Conboy -- an unfortunate moniker for a law enforcement official -- said,, "It's now apparent that Mr. Carey, the incumbent general president of the IBT [International Brotherhood of Teamsters], tolerated and engaged in extensive rules violations in broad furtherance of his re-election campaign. Specifically, Mr. Carey misused his union power in the course of the election by authorizing the expenditure of $735,000 in IBT general treasury funds to help his flagging campaign. By authorizing the use of union funds for his personal interest, Mr. Carey engaged in self-dealing and breach of trust of the rank and file of his union."

Carey says, he'll continue to help the Teamsters fight to "reform" their union and vowed to campaign against rival Hoffa, son of the great former Teamster boss.

So far no reform candidate has emerged to replace Carey.

Carey is also being investigated by U.S. attorneys for the Southern District of New York for possible illegalities, and he has testified before a grand jury.

Sinclair Lewis Embarrassed:

Babbitt's Under the Gun

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt
Sinclair Lewis' "George F. Babbitt " was a guy who unthinkingly conformed to middle-class values -- sort of like Newt Gingrich and Ralph Reed.

Up until recently, Interior Secretary "Bruce Babbitt" was nothing but George's surname-sake. Bruce was above reproach and considered a more than honest man.

But investigators are having trouble establishing the forthrightness of Babbitt's sworn statements to Congress, and his case will most likely fall under the purview of an independent counsel, I'm sad to say.

Attorney General Janet Reno will probably seek an independent counsel to delve into Babbitt's Indian casino permit dealings before the week is out. The investigation is a windfall for Republicans, sure to press the Justice Department to go further and examine the roles played by Harold Ickes, the former White House deputy chief of staff, and former DNC chairman Don Fowler.

Babbitt has denied that political donations by rival Indian tribes who opposed the Hudson, Wisconsin casino application played a part in his Department's move to oppose it, but his prior statements and writings seem to place him in a tough-to-defend position.

Time will tell.

...AND A POSTSCRIPT
REPUBLICANS CAN BE "PROUD" OF THIS ONE

In his op-ed column, the New York Times 's Frank Rich reports that Republicans senators have gotten a "hold" put on President Clinton's choice to be ambassador to Luxembourg, James Hormel. Hormel is openly gay and the Republicans fear that Hormel "might use this post to promote the gay agenda." Rich observes that "Ambassador to Luxembourg is not a post conducive to promoting any agenda more daring than a wine list." -- Thanks to Slate for this one.

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