Baker's return spells Cheney's heartburn

Asia Times ^ | 12-15-03 | Jim Lobe

[OldFriend]

Baker is a tough negotiator. Powell would get nothing. He got nothing but empty promises and glad handing at the UN.

[JohnGalt]

I think the Weekly Standard folks, Kristol anyway, have read the writing on the wall and are already distancing themselves from Wolfowitz and Rummy.

Pretty sneaky, even for a Kristol.

[johnb838]

I don't think Baker WANTS a full-time job. I think he is only willing to take on ad hoc assignments to help out.

Also, I wonder why the writer didn't consider the possibility that the idea to announce that the "axis of weasel" countries came fron Baker himself. That's what I figured when it happened. Now, if they cooperate, their companies will get some shots at some nice fat sub-contracts. If they don't, screw'em.

[Howlin]

Agreed. And since the U.N. has already said they are against the death penalty for Saddam, you know France is going to try to hide behind that.

BOO!

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

And finally, Vice President Dick Cheney will have been sternly warned by his doctors that his chronic heart problems make his participation in a rigorous re-election battle simply out of the question and that he will have to take himself off the ticket for the sake of his own survival, if not for that of his deeply concerned family members.

OK I made it passed this piece of political stupidity

The return of Baker - long-time consiglieri to the Bush family whose last mission was to secure all of Florida's electoral votes for George W in 2000 regardless of the state's actual voting laws or how people actually voted -

But couldn't stomach anymore after this .....

[mr.pink]

Very suprising piece.

Are there any backs in Washington that Kristol hasn't stabbed?

[Plutarch]

He also botched George Bush Sr.'s relection.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that one. Baker, once he was pried away grudgingly from State, presided over the most miserable re-election campaign the world has yet seen.

[NeoCaveman]

Baker is the ultimate Arab stooge.

You got it.

All this neocon, schmeocon stuff is amusing, it's always been discontented Arabists whining. Well all you Arabists out there (and how can there be any since 9/11) you got your boy.

[af_vet_1981]

Bush just took an important job away from the dovish state department and gave it to the ultimate TEXAS HAWK!! The man that is losing out it Colin Powell.

Sshh, let them dream.

Bush: "I will never forget the lessons of September 11th, 2001..."

I know I won't either.

[OldFriend]

Kristol has been sounding like he wants to work for Dean.

[Pagey]

The return of Baker - long-time consiglieri to the Bush family whose last mission was to secure all of Florida's electoral votes for George W in 2000 regardless of the state's actual voting laws or how people actually voted -

Jim Lobe is a piece of debris. Calling James A. Baker the 3rd a consiglieri? Talk about false monikers......(Bill Clintons sycophantic Sidney Blumenthal OWNS the trademark on the word Consigliere.) Jim Baker and his Law firm were just a hell of alot smarter than The Gore campaign's David "Mr. Anti-trust" Boies was, "in following the rules as stated in Florida Law" Mr. Lobe, and someday you'll get over it. In 2000 The Supreme Court of the USA wrote in a decision that there were "......constitutional problems with the recount ordered by the Florida Supreme Court......." Case Closed. Have a good day Mr Lobe.

[JohnGalt]

And Newtie and Safire sound like they are smitten with Hillary.

[Dolphy]

Baker is a tough negotiator.

They call him the velvet hammer, don't they? I am amused by those that try to lay odds on whose voice is most influential in the Bush administration. Apparently these people forget what the President said when he named his cabinet, which was something like if he wanted only people who agreed with him there would be no point in having them. In the end it's the President's ear, not the voice, that decides who has influence.

Baker not only has the skills of an ambassador, he has toughness. Most importantly, he will have no agenda except to do what's best for the President's objectives.

[FRgal4u]

Interesting article.

The ouster of the neocons in GWB's second term is not necessarily a bad thing. Judging by the writings of Kristol lately, I am not sure I want a guy like him as my advisor. Kristol, Perle all these guys push the Iraqi war day in day out earlier this yr, only when tings start to look more difficult, they back off and srgue how Bush botch the post-war Iraq situation. I believe the neocons like Kristol was arguing to invade Syria in April, imagine we did just that, holy crapola.

As for Cheney, maybe it is best for his heart to take a break in 04 (or go back to HAL). Afterall, who is gonna be the GOP 2008 candidate, maybe Bush will select someone grooming for that job in 08.

jmho.

[WaterDragon]

He quotes the NYTimes, for crying out loud! Sounds like Dimwits trying to do some mischief-making, to me.

[4integrity]

'....are there any backs ...that Kristol hasn't stabbed...'

At one time, I thought Kristol was on the "right" side. Lately, seems he will talk tough but if things don't go the way he thinks they should go, he starts taking jabs at the Administration. Bye Bill.

[Poohbah]

Are there any backs in Washington that Kristol hasn't stabbed?

His own. Perhaps he has some self-preservation instinct. Perhaps he just isn't flexible enough.

[mr.pink]

LOL

[mr.pink]

Bye Bill.

I wish...hell, I'd settle for him being replaced on FOXnews as a representative of "conservatism".