American Politics Journal -- Bush's Slimy Brain Trust



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Bush's Slimy Brain Trust
by Dave "Doctor" Gonzo

Friday, April 21, 2000 -- New York (AmpolNS) -- It was with great amusement that The Doc read an article in this morning's New York Times. The article by Frank Bruni, Addressing Concerns, Bush is Said to Assemble Team of Washington Insiders, read in part:

After months of questions and criticisms about how fully Gov. George W. Bush would integrate nationally seasoned veterans into his presidential bid, the Bush campaign has tapped six prominent Republican strategists in Washington to help Mr. Bush's associates here chart their course....The six are Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee; Mary Matalin, who was the deputy manager for the 1992 presidential campaign of Mr. Bush's father; Charles R. Black...Vin Weber... Bill Paxon...and Ed Gillespie.

The Doc could not be more delighted with Shrubya's selection of the first two -- if anything, their having been drafted to the hapless Team Bush should serve to even further dash the credibility and "good reputation" of the presumptive GOP nominee.

Matalin is the co-host from the "right" on Crossfire, where she faces down so-called "liberal" Bill Press. Bill comes across as a centerist -- and rarely challenges Matalin on her facts. She is one of Washington's most egregious spinners -- that is, when she isn't lying outright.

In fact, about the only person we've seen on Crossfire with the cajones to call Matalin on her command of the "facts" is substitute host David Corn, who nailed her about a month ago for her lies about Patrick Dorismund -- a reality check that caused Matalin to lose her cool (as reported in Ampol online).

Nothing irks these talking heads more than someone demonstrating how they twist the facts -- and The Doc advises centerists and liberals who appear to "argue" issues on cable and network news and political chat shows to snag up a copy of the March 20th Crossfire and see a first-class object lesson in breaking with the accepted "format" and debunking a liar.

We can only hope that Bruni's exposure of Matalin as an active strategist for DumbBellYou will either force her "leave of absence" as Crossfire hostess -- or the hiring of a Gore strategist to join the rotation in the name of equal time! Don't expect Mrs. Carville to take her leave on her own. You may have to drop Crossfire a line at 820 First Street N.E., Washington, DC 20002, or call them at (202) 898-7900.

Gee -- I wonder how the FCC might regard a Bush advisor having all this airtime on the most-watched cable news channel? Aren't there rules about fairness and equal time?

But I digress.

And then there's Barbour. Our own Mac MacArthur has documented the mind-boggling ethical lapses -- if not outright crimes -- of Haley, in concert with the likes of Newt Gingrich. Few people are aware of Barbour's own little Asiagate-style problem or National Policy Forum fiasco -- but The Doc knows that he is not alone in questioning Bush Baby's sanity in allowing Barbour to advise his "A-Team" of losers.

We'll give half a point to Bush, however, for looking to Bill Paxon for advice. Paxon is most well known for his purported role in an attempt to oust Newt Gingrich as House Speaker -- and for quitting his political career under tremendous pressure and a bad-mouthing campaign in the aftermath of Newt's survival of the internecine Republican "coup attempt."

But that does nothing to mitigate Bush's decision to hire the likes of Matalin and Barbour.

'Nuff said.