Bob Dole unloads on McClellan

The Politico ^ | May 30, 2008 | Jonathan Martin

[Dan Nunn]

Bob Dole unloads on McClellan

Bob Dole yesterday sent a scalding email to Scott McClellan, excoriating the former White House spokesman as a "miserable creature" who greedily betrayed his former patron for a fast buck.

In an extraordinary message obtained and authenticated by Politico, Dole uses his trademark biting wit to portray McClellan as a classic Washington opportunist.

"There are miserable creatures like you in every administration who don’t have the guts to speak up or quit if there are disagreements with the boss or colleagues," Dole wrote in a message sent yesterday morning. "No, your type soaks up the benefits of power, revels in the limelight for years, then quits, and spurred on by greed, cashes in with a scathing critique."

Michael Marshall, Dole's spokesman and colleague at the Alston Bird law firm, confirms the message came from the former senator and presidential candidate. "Yes, it is authentic," Marshall wrote in an email.

"In my nearly 36 years of public service I've known of a few like you," Dole writes, recounting his years representing Kansas in the House and Senate. "No doubt you will 'clean up' as the liberal anti-Bush press will promote your belated concerns with wild enthusiasm. When the money starts rolling in you should donate it to a worthy cause, something like, 'Biting The Hand That Fed Me.' Another thought is to weasel your way back into the White House if a Democrat is elected. That would provide a good set up for a second book deal in a few years"

Dole assures McClellan that he won't read the book -- "because if all these awful things were happening, and perhaps some may have been, you should have spoken up publicly like a man, or quit your cushy, high profile job"

"That would have taken integrity and courage but then you would have had credibility and your complaints could have been aired objectively," Dole concludes. "You’re a hot ticket now but don’t you, deep down, feel like a total ingrate?"

He signs the email simply: "BOB DOLE"

[GourmetDan]

"Like he said, there are always one or two Scott McClellan’s around. Nobody really likes guys like him, they are simply useful idiots."

Scotty's just making some coin telling people what they already believe and want to hear.

People will claim that you're a genius and absolutely honest (this time) if you do that.

The 'useful idiots' are the ones who believe him.

[zeugma]

You have to admit, for an older guy with the use of only one hand, he still manages to hold his own.

Is that another veiled viagra reference? 

LOL 

[zeugma]

Viagra? If he wrote that with anything other than his hands, I am twice as impressed.

I believe it was dictated. 

[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

Dammit Bob. That Viagra seems to be working.

Such an unfortunate title for the article.

[Lazamataz]

Well, Bob Dole sure gave Scott a mouthful, didn’t he???

[aculeus]

Well done, Lieutenant Dole!

[rom]

You don’t call keeping someone you know in a position who is so completely unqualified cronyism?

He was completely unqualified to do the job he did. He should have been yanked a week after he started that job.

I am in a leadership position at work. I have people I trust. But they are also the best at what they do on the team. If they are not, we find outsiders who can fit the role.

[Skooz]

bump

BDKA

[Wolverine]

[Jemian]

GOOD JOB, BOB DOLE!

[bushfamfan]

Maybe Bob Dole should have been President? That’s a hell of a response! Too bad Bush has never been able to bring himself to defend himself.

[nutmeg]

I don’t listen to Rush regularly, but I was in the car and heard this and Mr. Snurdly excellent rant.

The first half hour of Rush's show today was one of the best I've heard in awhile. I'm going to listen to it again when I get a chance (I subscribe to "Rush 24/7"). Bo Snerdley is hysterical as Rush's "Official Obama Criticizer"... LOL!

[Ann Archy]

If only Dole had spoken like this YEARS AGO of his fellow DEMOCRAT SENATORS!

[Ann Archy]

Scotty has “Paul O’Nealed” himself!! He is a man with NO friends UNTIL he comes out of the closet.

[paltz]

Aw Geez! Where was this Bob Dole in ‘96?

[Randy Papadoo]

Bob Dole was called “Bob” for very personal reasons.

Of course he took Viagra when it came out.

Now he’s taking Enzyte too, and wants to be called “Robertlouisstevensonclemente Dole”.

[RavenATB]

Thanks, Bob.

Scott McCellan has made his name synonymous with the term “scumbag” for any intellectually honest American.

[navymom1]

Good to see the Senator hasn’t lost his ability to drill right to the substance of the problem.

_____________________________________

I’m a Kansas Gal and have always been fond of Senator Dole. But the last words in the email puzzled me. I don’t think for a minute Scott feels like an ingrate. Instead this became a scandal that is turning on him in a way he never expected. In a few weeks the left will discard Scott McCellen like a used up tube of toothpaste. Then where will he be? Friendless. What a sad commentary on greed.

[Madame Dufarge]

Benedict Arnold thought he was going to be given a hero's welcome by the British after his treason.

But nobody trusts a traitor, after all.

The British provided handsomely for Arnold, but never completely trusted him. He was never given an important military command. They moved to London where he found no job, some admiration and even some contempt. He moved his family to Canada where he reentered the shipping business. The Tories there disliked him and had no use for him, and eventually he returned his family to London. When the fighting began between France and England, he tried again for military service, but to no avail. His shipping ventures eventually failed and he died in 1801, virtually unknown, his wife joining him in death three years later.

[cowboyway]

Add a few words like ‘spineless’ and ‘worthless’ and Dole could send this out to most of the repubs on Capital Hill...............