McCain Says Kerik Reflects on Giuliani

AP via google ^ | November 9, 2007 | PHILIP ELLIOTT

[calcowgirl]

She drank the Giuliani koolaide, all right!

..."We are all fallen, imperfect beings. "

Gag! A pattern of corruption over a period of years is a bit more than "imperfect."

[Alberta's Child]

What has really been overlooked in the whole "Mafia contractor / illegal alien nanny" angle to the Kerik story is the fact that Kerik had an open warrant for his arrest from a New York court when he was named to head the Department of Homeland Security.

Y'all just think about that for a second.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If Republicans are going to decide that Giuliani is the best standard-bearer for the party, they better do so with eyes wide open and absolute candor. He is–at best–only marginally better than Hillary Clinton on immigration and border security. He was a bad judge of character at a key moment in the Department of Homeland Security’s history. And despite his lip service and cable TV-friendly talking points, he remains obstinately committed to non-enforcement of immigration laws when push comes to shove.

Caveat emptor.

Doesn't much sound as if she's been a-sippin' at that nasty, off-brand Giuliani-flavored stuff to me... but: YMMV, legitimately. ;)

[TommyDale]

"Gag! A pattern of corruption over a period of years is a bit more than "imperfect.""

In the Giuliani world, very little is acknowledged as corrupt.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Soon to be on bookstore remainder tables everywhere:

;)

[Beckwith]

McCain must have forgotten his personal involvement in the “Keating Seven.”

[TomGuy]

McCain said Giuliani's overall experience hasn't prepared him for the White House or to direct national security policy.

"It's a fundamental lack of experience. ... I mean it's great to have led a major city. I mean, his post-crisis handling was fine. But that certainly doesn't mean you're qualified to lead."

Neither does 20 years of bloviating in the Senate, Senator. What, by the way, is your executive experience, Senator?

[calcowgirl]

Doesn't much sound as if she's been a-sippin' at that nasty, off-brand Giuliani-flavored stuff to me...

You're right. My quote wasn't indicative of Michele's whole post. I had trouble reading it and getting it's proper context with all of the updates and blog comments. But, I usually enjoy her factual presentation and straightforwardness and this time she embellished with a more forgiving tone than is due (IMO).

but: YMMV, legitimately. ;)

??? you might....? No comprendo. ;-)

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

??? you might....? No comprendo. ;-)

;) Sorry; Old Fogey-era internet shorthand for "Your Mileage May Vary." (I'm showing my age, on that one...) ;)

[calcowgirl]

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Son-Life-Pursuit-Justice/dp/0060009012

503 used & new from $0.01

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

503 used & new from $0.01

I'd still demand change back from that transaction, regardless. ;)

[tioga]

McCain states the obvious here. Sorry Rudy, this is bad.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“Two pages on the site are devoted to Kerik’s long résumé of public service, including a stint as Iraq’s interim minister of the interior.”

Public Swindle is more like it : )

[ex-snook]

"Kerik was supposed to be there to help train the police force. He stayed two months and one day left, just up and left,"

Cut and ran just like Giuliani from 9/11 commission.

Why should Republicans back him based on his performance?

[calcowgirl]

Newsweek. Dec 20, 2004.

(snip)

The White House seemed to shrug off stories of Kerik’s financial dealings a little too easily, like the $6 million he made-without investing a penny-by cashing in his stock options in a company that made stun guns sold to the government. Then there was the arrest warrant. In 1998, Kerik was sued for failing to pay about $5,000 in maintenance fees on a condo he owned in New Jersey. When Kerik failed to respond to a subpoena, NEWSWEEK learned, a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. A Kerik spokesman later said Kerik paid the fees and the warrant was withdrawn, but the existence of the warrant was news to the White House and Kerik’s handlers.

Kerik’s somewhat cavalier attitude is best captured by his time in Iraq. After the invasion in the spring of 2003, Kerik was sent to Baghdad to organize the Iraqi police. But Kerik didn’t seem to show much interest in Iraqis, said a senior U.S. official who worked with him. He appeared to enjoy going on night raids against “bad guys” with some South African mercenaries who were serving as bodyguards to U.S. officials. On his screen saver, Kerik had a photo of a big house he had just bought in New Jersey that he said was across the street from former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms’s. Kerik told his colleagues he planned to be in Baghdad for three months while the house was undergoing renovations. “So,” the official says he told Kerik, “you’re here because you needed a place to go while they’re doing renovations on your house.” Kerik grinned and cocked a finger as if to say, “You got it.” A spokesman for Kerik said that story was “absurd” and that Kerik was a patriot.

[calcowgirl]

McCain must have forgotten his personal involvement in the “Keating Seven.”

Actually, he didn't and he commented on it in the article.

[calcowgirl]

Recategorize the book as fiction and offer free shipping, I may give them a penny for it. ;-)

[calcowgirl]

Two pages on the site are devoted to Kerik's long résumé of public service, including a stint as Iraq's interim minister of the interior.

61 days of resume building and free room and board (see Newsweek excerpt above).

[Tarpon]

And who does Hsu reflect badly on?

[uncbob]

Doesn’t say much for Bush for listening to him