And His Policy Credentials Are ... ???
Look, we all know that political hacks of all sorts get policy/management jobs in Washington all the time. Sometimes they serve the public well, oftentimes they don't. Now that Karl Rove has moved up the ladder to deputy chief of staff, with responsibility for overseeing everything from economic policy to coordinating homeland security policy(!), I'm reminded of a speech that Mary Matalin - wife of James Carville, and now a Cheney aide - gave up here in the Berkshires last year. It was part of the Dowmel Lecture Series, a terrific program that brings a diverse mix of well-known speakers to our humble little hamlet of Great Barrington to talk about their work.
As you know, Matalin is a longtime political hack -- a strategist, a flack, an operative, whatever. So, here's the story: At one point during her wholly unimpressive speech (I had withheld judgement, hoping for something of value), Matalin began to describe the events of September 11th in the White House, and talked with great suspense about being in the White House "bunker" with Vice President Cheney as the towers fell, the president shuttled around the country, and questions like whether to shoot down a commerical airliner loaded with civilians confronted those in the bunker. It was certainly a riveting tale, as we all remember that horrible, horrible day and the simply unbelievable events that were unfolding minute-by-minute.
As I listened and absorbed her tale, I could only think of one thing: What in the world was a political hack like Mary Matalin doing in the White House bunker -- at the elbow of the vice president, offering advice -- during an honest-to-God national crisis? She simply didn't belong there. Was she telling him how certain actions would play with Soccer Moms in November, 2004? Of course not. But she certainly didn't have any wisdom to offer about managing that national crisis -- that's not in her job description.
Sure, keep people like her (and Rove) in the political office spinning their evil strategic webs. But don't let them do policy. And certainly not national security policy.
James Carville, to his credit, knows what he is: A political strategist/hack. Love him or hate him -- and there's good reason for both -- he never claimed to be a policy aide or qualified for a senior position in the Clinton administration.
Keep the political strategists out of policymaking, regardless of party. Because when the partisan interest trumps the national interest -- as has been all too common in recent years -- we all lose.
As you know, Matalin is a longtime political hack -- a strategist, a flack, an operative, whatever. So, here's the story: At one point during her wholly unimpressive speech (I had withheld judgement, hoping for something of value), Matalin began to describe the events of September 11th in the White House, and talked with great suspense about being in the White House "bunker" with Vice President Cheney as the towers fell, the president shuttled around the country, and questions like whether to shoot down a commerical airliner loaded with civilians confronted those in the bunker. It was certainly a riveting tale, as we all remember that horrible, horrible day and the simply unbelievable events that were unfolding minute-by-minute.
As I listened and absorbed her tale, I could only think of one thing: What in the world was a political hack like Mary Matalin doing in the White House bunker -- at the elbow of the vice president, offering advice -- during an honest-to-God national crisis? She simply didn't belong there. Was she telling him how certain actions would play with Soccer Moms in November, 2004? Of course not. But she certainly didn't have any wisdom to offer about managing that national crisis -- that's not in her job description.
Sure, keep people like her (and Rove) in the political office spinning their evil strategic webs. But don't let them do policy. And certainly not national security policy.
James Carville, to his credit, knows what he is: A political strategist/hack. Love him or hate him -- and there's good reason for both -- he never claimed to be a policy aide or qualified for a senior position in the Clinton administration.
Keep the political strategists out of policymaking, regardless of party. Because when the partisan interest trumps the national interest -- as has been all too common in recent years -- we all lose.
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