Sure he is. All he had to say was that he didn't know enough about the situation (who did yesterday?) to comment.
He knew exactly what the media was after,and HE gave it to them.
I agree. This guy lives for face-time on television. It would have showed discretion to have refused to say anything, but since when has Bill Clinton ever shown discretion?
He knew exactly what the media was after,and HE gave it to them.
Sure, BC is somewhere between the devil incarnate and a charismatic sex slease lucky enough to have a litigious, scheming, power-lust driven, metrosexual, wife who orchestrated power through her husband to cover his peckadillos.
But in this case, I believe that there was no mal-intent from our black ex-president. Reread the comments attributed to BC, as if they were from, say, George Bush I.
Past Presidents are often expected to respond to global situations by the media and public. Often lately we stomached Carter's comments on the war, the election, things I didn't see that he excelled in during his term, as well as BC's and GB-1.
The comments that I read were not out of line, were supportive of a worthwhile plan to aid the disaster, and did not pin BUSH to being the point man.
I see no way that BC would even be in a position to take charge of administering the aid. Annan isn't just going to quit. It would take time for BC to get incorporated into the position, and the aid needs to be under control YESTERDAY.
God forgive him, and me, but I believe this is the most honest interview BC has given, probably ever. It was self-serving in the sense that he was given 'attention' by the media, which he desires.
I put the blame on the media source, and author. All the negative connotations in the article are not quotes, they are personal opinions of the writer. The media went took the interview and added their opinions for public consumption, when they thought it might embarrass President Bush because he was temporarily unavailable to the press (but busy as hell dealing with the disaster, the war, the relentless and opportunistic attacks from the media, the fact that when it rains, it pours/floods/destroys/disappears/dies/etc).
I think, no, I know damn well that what BC said is true. Someone, a real leader who will persist, must take charge and coordinate the aid efforts. For the good of the donators, and most importantly, for the good of the aidees.
IMHO, this is already happening.
What is not happening is someone offering words publicly, for recognition, then not really being able to follow with deeds.
The right person knows what he has to do, and is doing so even now. He doesn't have to ask permission, or if it is PC, or if it will benefit him after his term, or anger the public.
Watch the Coalition Aid Rescue (CAR) get up to speed and do what needs to be done quickly and quietly.
Expect the best from the best, and you may be amazed at what humans will do. All humans are capable of doing amazing things, it is what they will do that counts.
The right person will do what is right, to the best of their ability, and President Bush is one of those who will do what they know is right, regardless of the consequences.
I believe if BC had any intentions of UN appointment and doling of dollars for death and disaster, he could be told simply,
"the job is already taken".