Candidate Profile Sixteen: Mike Huckabee

Former Arkansas governor Bill Clinton was ribbed on Saturday Night Live and elsewhere as a man perhaps a bit too fond of fast food and a little too wide around the waistband. The current governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, once tipped the scales at 280, and was told at 47 he was living his last decade after being diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes. Now he's running marathons, plugging weight loss books, and (probably) mounting a presidential bid. The moral? The man has discipline, and discipline should never be underestimated.

Mike Huckabee - good bio here at Wikipedia

Good Huckabee 2008 side (Disclaimer: Blue State Republican, who maintains this site, suggested some of the links in this profile. I happily used the information (thanks!), but the conclusions and the substance of the profile are my own.)

Resume - born in Hope (deja-vu all over again), moved up from lieutenant governor to governor following the resignation in disgrace of Jim Guy Tucker; has served as Arkansas's 44th governor since 1996, but term limits preclude another run; chairman of the Education Commission of the States; author of 4 books; seminary graduate and former pastor; active in many regional and state organizations; outdoorsman; bass player

Borrowing from his own personal experience, Huckabee has made health a major focus of his Arkansas administration, and it would surely figure prominently in a presidential run. It's an attractive issue, and one that has a huge degree of relevance in this fast food nation of ours. For this reason alone, a Huckabee run would be welcome, as it would focus attention on an issue that needs to be addressed.

Handicapping a Huckabee candidacy is difficult. There are some large cons: he doesn't have the name recognition of Condi, McCain, or Rudy G., but neither does Mark Sanford, who I have as a dark horse. This article is a good example of how easy it is to go either way with Huckabee; one expert says forget it, another says don't be so hasty, and round and round we go.

Huckabee has certainly earned some good markers he can cash in with his political activity, and he has a boost coming from his chairmanship of the National Governors Association and his upcoming book release.

I'm going to rate Huckabee's chances higher than most, I suspect, for the following reasons:

1. He's a southern governor, and we've seen that as a launch pad for many a White House bid.
2. As mentioned, he's earned some political chits with his active participation in regional associations.
3. He has a ready-made issue that will resonate with a large portion of the public.
4. His roots as a pastor, while perhaps a net minus in the general election, are a definite plus in the primaries.
5. He's a heck of a lot better than that other Arkansas native getting presidential talk...
   

I would sum up my thoughts on a Huckabee candidacy as follows: he's not a front-runner, and maybe not a legitimate dark horse yet, but he brings some very attractive qualities to the table, and he might make an excellent choice for a VP pick, even if he comes up short for the big prize.

CURRENT ODDS: 16-1

UPDATE 04/03/05 12:15 pm central: in the comments, crit quite rightly reminds me that Hillary is not an Arkansas native; she is, in fact, from Park Ridge, Illinois...my sincerest apologies to all native Arkansas readers...

UPDATE 07/24/2005 10:56 p.m.:

CURRENT ODDS: 13-1: see here...

My Record is Unblemished...

...if by unblemished, you mean completely wrong. North Carolina blew out Michigan State in the second half en route to an 87-71 victory. In the end, after such a great regional finals weekend, the National Semifinals ended predictably, and somewhat boringly. Having said that, two Number 1 seeds will face off Monday, and that game has a lot of promise. Congrats to Roy Williams and his Tar Heels.

Illinois Moves On...

...and will face the winner of Michigan State / North Carolina in the Championship Game. The final score was 72-57, proving once again you can't go wrong betting the exact opposite of my picks. It was a good game for 30 minutes, but Illinois totally dominated Louisville in the final 10 minutes. Congrats to the Illini...

Must-Reads, Predictions, An Explanation, and An Observation

My apologies for no postings earlier today...we all must take a break from blogging for our real lives, of course, but I prefer my breaks to be announced...this one was quite unintentional. My Internet connection was down - but I have now fixed it.

Obviously, the big news is the death of the Pope - but I said all I intended to say on that subject, for now, already. The other big news, on a much smaller, much less significant scale, is the fact that the Final Four tips off in about an hour and change. For those who missed my predictions, I say both games end in upsets, with Michigan State and Louisville heading to the Championship Game. I had thought about liveblogging the Final Four, but I picked up some fried chicken earlier that must have been bad - I am feeling very shaky at the moment, so there goes that idea, just don't feel up to it.

So, since I am so tardy in posting, and have forgone my liveblogging, here is a peace offering of sorts, two very interesting articles I highly recommend. One is from the ever-resourceful Claudia Rosett, entitled, appropriately enough, "'Hell, No', He's Not Exonerated". The other is another great roundup on the Sandy Berger affair by Lorie Byrd at PoliPundit.

Enjoy your Saturday, and R.I.P., John Paul II...

Some Thoughts on the Pope

I fully expect to wake up tomorrow with the news that John Paul II has died...I hope I'm wrong (or do I? It's really between him and his Maker, though I certainly don't wish for his death). I'm not a Catholic, so this is somewhat of an outsider's view. I can't think of the current Pope without thinking of Poland, Lech Walesa, and Solidarity. I was becoming politically aware when the stirrings behind the Iron Curtain enveloped the Pope in an assassination attempt that we now definitively know was ordered by the KGB.

Thus, my image of the Pope is entwined with that of Reagan; two strong men who survived bullets and lived long, full lives afterwards. Because I hold this image, I find it a true shame that he has continued to be so active in such a frail state. One wonders if his death wasn't hastened by public appearances that he clearly was not physically up for. Perhaps (probably?) that was his wish, though...

John Paul II will be remembered by theologians as a conservative pope. Now, religious conservativism has little to do with political conservatism. The Pope took positions that many on the right would view as quite liberal. In this case, what is meant is that John Paul II has moved backwards or maintained the status quo on areas where critics of the Catholic Church have long pushed for reforms, such as a repeal of celibacy, women priests, and a changed attitude on birth control. He has consolidated power again in the papacy and the Vatican rather than scatter it among the bishops, and he has maintained a very strict, top-down discipline.

Whether that's a good or a bad thing largely depends on (1) your view of religion, and (2) your view of the Catholic Church as an instituion. I make no judgments here, just offer my thoughts. Without a doubt, though, we're about to lose a man of some courage and a lot of dignity, and that's a sad thought for all of us.

Miscellanea: A Question for Maureen Edition

I wonder if Maureen Dowd would care to answer how it is that a police state like ours pursues prosecutions like this...doesn't seem to really fit the thesis, does it?...

Carpe Bonum asks: what now, after Terri?...

Punditish declares his solidarity...I will follow you to the end, my brother!...

Our good friend bebere has some nice thoughts on the Pope...and it's Poetry Month, so I'm gonna plug her poetry site, and encourage you to submit a piece...

Roger Simon continues his excellent original reporting on Oil-For-Food (hat tip to Little Green Footballs)...

Betsy Newmark has more on the strange behavior of Sandy Berger...

You know, I used to like Chris Mathews...increasingly, I wonder why...

A Rare Moment of Fantasy Meeting Reality

There's a great scene in the Woody Allen masterpiece 'Annie Hall' where Alvy and Annie (Woody and Diane Keaton) are on line at a movie theater, and a pompous, stuffy professor is in line behind them, droning on and on with silly intellectual babble. Here's what happens next:

• MAN: It's the influence of television. Now, now Marshall McLuhan deals with it in terms of it being a, a high-- high intensity, you understand? A hot medium--
• WOODY ALLEN: What I wouldn't give for a large sock with horse manure in it.
• MAN: -- as opposed to the truth which he [sees as the] media or--
• WOODY ALLEN: What can you do when you get stuck on a movie line with a guy like this behind you?
• MAN: Now, Marshall McLuhan--
• WOODY ALLEN: You don't know anything about Marshall McLuhan's work--
• MAN: Really? Really? I happen to teach a class at Columbia called TV, Media and Culture, so I think that my insights into Mr. McLuhan, well, have a great deal of validity.
• WOODY ALLEN: Oh, do you?
• MAN: Yeah.
• WOODY ALLEN: Oh, that's funny, because I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here. Come over here for a second?
• MAN: Oh--
• WOODY ALLEN: Tell him.
• MARSHALL McLUHAN: -- I heard, I heard what you were saying. You, you know nothing of my work. How you ever got to teach a course in anything is totally amazing.
• WOODY ALLEN: Boy, if life were only like this.

I recently had one of those moments when life is what we hope it will be. Two days ago, coming home in the madhouse that is I-35 at rush hour, this insane moron behind me moved over to the right where no lane existed (this is on an Interstate Highway, remember, in the middle of rush hour), and proceeded to whiz dangerously by everyone patiently waiting.

You've been here before, right? And like me, you silently (or not so silently, perhaps with the aid of one finger) cursed the maniac and said to yourself, "Where's a cop when you need one?" You've already guessed what happened next, no doubt...

As the traffic inched forward, I saw the maniac, pulled over with the flashing lights behind him, and the cop wasn't just writing him a ticket - he was going to town on him! I rolled down my window as I got near, and let me tell you, that man was getting the lecture of a lifetime on traffic safety. I have never seen a policeman so forcefully 'in your face' as this one. I had another forty-five minutes in brutal traffic before I saw home, but I passed it by rather blissfully...life is sometimes sweeter than you expect it to be.

The Left-Right Divide in a Microcosm...

...is not to be found in, say, the Terry Schiavo controversy, where there was plenty of line-crossing. Instead, a better litmus test is the case of the U.N. specifically and 'collective' government generally. The reason the Europeans objected to our Iraqi approach was not, in the end, a hatred of George W. Bush and the 'neocons', nor their eternal jealousy over our cultural, economic, and military dominance, so much as a result of their belief that vital decisions can be made collectively, exemplified by the chaotic, hysterically inept European Union. The exception that proves the rule is England, never a fan of the E.U. and our strongest ally on our Iraqi approach.

To see this dichotomy in action, you need look no further than, on the one hand, this denunciation of the 'neocon' crusade against poor, saintly Kofi from the extremely leftist Guardian, and this editorial by Austin Bay stating that the U.N. is a very sick organization that requires reforms far deeper and more transformative than the weak, 'cure is worse than the disease', reform offered up by Kofi and his supporters. Fans of this blog will have no doubt which case I find more persuasive (hat tips to Real Clear Politics and the Instapundit).

My Latest Technological Breakthrough...

...is a remarkably sophisticated graphical addition to the blog - right up top next to 'Decision '08'. It's an animated ballot box. Here's the weird part; when I'm on right now, I don't see it (on IE, I see a missing picture box with the 'alt' name; on Firefox, the 'alt' name in huge letters); yet I know others do...so, if you're cruising by and happen to read this, do you see it? A short comment would be nice...and it's FRIDAY! Enjoy yourselves this weekend...

UPDATE 1:50 pm central: Well, thanks, Andy in NY. I don't know if it's the fact that the graphic is animated or what, but I can't get it consistently to show for everyone, so I'm yanking it back down (again). I guess I'll try again sometime with a stationary graphic...

Pope's Condition Worsens Again

CNN is reporting breaking news that the Pope's breathing has become quite shallow...

UPDATE 1:15 pm central: CNN is now reporting that the Vatican is denying Italian media reports that the Pope has died...

Another Must-Read: The Sandy Berger Story

This is a great roundup that exemplifies what blogs do better than other formats; check it out (hat tip to the Instapundit). The more I find out about this whole 'incident', the more it smells...

The Shortest Must-Read Ever

All I can say is 'Bravo!'...

Dean, Reid, Pelosi: Now Is the Time for Bipartisan Unity

In a joint news conference, Congressional leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by DNC Chairman Howard Dean, issued a stirring call for unity in light of the historic recent developments in the Middle East and new estimates that Social Security will go broke sooner than expected.

"We feel that divisive, partisan bickering is unacceptable if the price to be paid is less security for future generations," said Dean. Reid was quick to add that he and Pelosi had agreed to work constructively with the Republican leadership on fashioning a bipartisan Social Security reform bill that would strengthen the system for decades to come.

Pelosi stressed the brilliance of the Wolfowitz nomination to the World Bank as the personal turning point in her appreciation of President Bush.

For further details on this breaking story, see here...

Another Lunatic in Academia

This is just plain disturbing...I urge you to follow the links. Charles at Little Green Footballs has thrown a spotlight on Jane T. Christensen, and it's amazing what he found.

I decided to do some pajama-wearing Google searching to see if I could find more on this Jane T. Christensen.

Here's an excerpt from an editorial and letter at Al-Jazeerah, and yes, it's her (just read the whole page):

From: Jane T. Christensen (2/21/03)

Subject: The murder of Feras Al-Mabrouki

I have just read with shock and dismay Anne Gwynne's piece about the murder of Feras al-Mabrouki. I have read Anne's accounts for months in Counterpunch and had come to know Feras Al-Bakri as the charming, kind, patient, and brave ambulance driver. And now (I thought) he is dead, for his selfless efforts shot by these murdering swine! I know no words. I want to stand and scream. I want to hurt back. I want revenge! How can a whole people go on! What is there to live for! What can a single person do here in the U.S.?

NOTE: Counterpunch is the notorious fringe leftwing journal; I'm sure the reader can infer who the 'murdering swine' are.

If someone who knows German wants to take a crack at it, this site mentions the same Jane T. Christensen, and here's Google's translation...

Her course is also prominently featured on this fringe website, and (warning: graphic war image) a more detailed listing of the course topics is found here.

I'm appalled; check it out, I think you'll agree...

Noonan On Hillary: The One to Beat

Here's the litany from Peggy Noonan on why we should be concerned about Hillary (she's right):

Because we live in a more or less 50-50 nation; because Mrs. Clinton is smarter than her husband and has become a better campaigner on the ground; because her warmth and humor seem less oily; because she has struck out a new rhetorically (though not legislatively) moderate course; because you don't play every card right the way she's been playing every card right the past five years unless you have real talent; because unlike her husband she has found it possible to grow more emotionally mature; because the presidency is the bright sharp focus of everything she does each day; because she is not going to get seriously dinged in the 2008 primaries but will likely face challengers who make her look even more moderate and stable; and because in 2008 we will have millions of 18- to 24-year-old voters who have no memory of her as the harridan of the East Wing and the nutty professor of HillaryCare.

The Hillary those young adults remember will be the senator--chuckling with a throaty chuckle, bantering amiably with Lindsey Graham, maternal and moderate and strong. Add to that this: Half the MSM will be for her, and the other half will be afraid of the half that is for her. (You think journalists are afraid of the right? Journalists are afraid of each other.) And on top of all that, It's time for a woman. Almost every young woman in America, every tough old suburban momma, every unmarried urban high-heel-wearing, briefcase-toting corporate lawyer will be saying it. They'll be working for, rooting for, giving to the woman.

After that quite brilliant analysis, though, she has to spoil my mood with this cheap shot at Condi:

...[the Republican who will face Hillary is] not Condi , because the presidency is not an entry-level political office...

Ouch!...

Ted Koppel Leaving ABC...

...and quite frankly, I have no reaction at all. Nightline was essential viewing once upon a time; that time has long passed. I'm not happy, sad, surprised, just...nothing...I don't care how they spin it, though, this was strictly business. The ratings have been awful for years now. I still recall ABC trying to figure out a way to dump Koppel when Letterman left NBC. Bet they're kicking themselves now...

Miscellanea: No Need For Reform? Edition

Thanks to Viking Pundit for linking to me today; I'll repay the favor by recommending his post on the Dem's pyrrhic victory dance over Social Security...

I've had a great blog day, having received a PoliLanche. Speaking of, Jayson is linking to a report that Sandy Berger just copped a plea over that 'accidental' document lifting (seems ages ago now, doesn't it?)...

...bulldogpundit of Ankle Biting Pundits points to his Judge Elihu Smails 'Buffoon of the Week' series, and suggests imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, bulldogpundit, I give you my word of honor that I wasn't aware of your series until today...but I like it, and I plan on being a regular visitor...you should, too....

The Bernoulli Effect shoots down the whole 'Republicans are the party of the rich' meme and takes a shot at our Weekly Jackass, to boot...

Americans for Freedom is asking for your signature on a very important petition...

Pope Given Last Rites...

...details here.

Bonus Must-Read: Has The Schiavo Controversy Hurt The Right?

Dick Morris makes the case in The Hill that it has, by polarizing the moderates in a way that abortion does not. Morris sees a backlash that will kill Jeb Bush's career, but leave George W. Bush largely unfazed. I think a couple of his premises are wrong: one, that Jeb ever belonged in the ranks of 'Hillary Slayer' (figuratively speaking, of course); and two, that the backlash will have any lasting consequences.

Short-term, though, I think it has hurt the right politically; only time will tell how lasting the damage is. Yes, I realize that for many, if not most, the issue transcends politics and crosses over into morality - however, this is a political blog, and that's my honest opinion. When all is said and done, as I've indicated before, this is a highly personal matter and my sympathies lie with those most directly affected...the rest of us, I think, need a cooling off period; then perhaps we can consider the important issues raised in a less personal light.

That MoDo Mojo: Drop Woody Allen's Name, Win a Prize

The new Dowd column is up; in typical fashion, it is largely inscrutable. Dowd very tenously ties in Woody Allen's new movie, half farce, half drama, to describe the report on the Iraq intelligence failures. Dowd's main point is that she finds it laughable that the report scorches the CIA, when, in her view, the CIA was only doing the bidding of the White House. Maureen, I have a great idea for a follow-up: explain to us how that differs from the Volcker Report(s). Bet you can't...

Dowd ends with the following:

There are, after all, more than 1,500 dead American soldiers, Al Qaeda terrorists on the loose and real nuclear-bomb programs in Iran and North Korea that we know nothing about. No laughs there.

Nope, that's not funny; neither is the fact that there is now a liberated Iraq moving towards democracy, a Lebanon on the verge of throwing off Syrian domination, and a revived peace process for the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Sure is easy to demagogue when you only look at one side of the ledger, eh, Maureen?

Terry Schiavo: R.I.P.

Well, I'm sure you've heard; I just did. Here's the details...may time heal the wounds and God bless the family as they try to get over this. That's all I have to say...

Today's Must-Read: A Surprise From Richard Gere

Former Weekly Jackass Richard Gere writing a guest editorial at the Wall Street Journal (registration may be required)? What's even stranger is it's not bad...although I would quibble with the description of Hong Kong as having 'total autonomy'. Still, I razz people like Gere a lot, so when they do something laudable, it's only fair I link to that, as well (hat tip to RealClearPolitics)...

Quick Shots: Is Krugman Nuts? Edition

Power Line has a post slamming our old buddy Paul Krugman; of course, the Minuteman has been on this beat a long, long time...

I'm linking to Dr. Shackleford for the gazillionth time today because he beat me to this...

Finally, I'm quite serious about this one: Arthur Chrenkoff is a real example to all of us, showing just how important a medium blogging can be, and today he celebrates his one-year blogiversary...many, many happy returns...

Hey, That's a Cheap Shot!

The Arkansas Daily Blog at the Arkansas Times is taking shots at my 'probably tiny number' of readers while simultaneously stuffing the ballot box on my poll above. That's okay, all's fair in love and war (and politics); they actually sent me quite a few hits today, so bully for you!

Here's the deal, though: when I make fun of my small number of readers, it's gentle sarcasm used in a self-deprecating manner, which some people find charming...when you do it, it's, well, not so charming...no hard feelings, though (note to self: when you are getting 3,000,000 daily hits, don't forget to take shots at the number of readers of the Arkansas Times, and remember who your friends are).

Anywho, for those of you who might be here from the great state of Arkansas, welcome, and you might want to check back on the weekend - my next candidate profile is going to be Mike Huckabee. And I'm glad to have you here...stay a while and look around, won't you?

Weekly Jackass Number Seventeen: John Kerry

We're going to set a record for the shortest Weekly Jackass entry to date. Why John Kerry? Why now?

Because, John Forbes Kerry,...

• ...you went on Meet the Press and promised to sign form SF-180, yet two months later, you have failed to do so;
• ...you continue to hold on to the delusion that you lost because of the Osama bin Laden tape rather than because you are, in fact, an arrogant, pompous man that most voters rightly rejected as unpresidential;
• ...you, incredibly, harbor hopes that the Democratic Party wants you to run and lose again;
• ...and because, well, just because you're you...
  

...it is my distinct privilege to name you our seventeenth weekly honoree...and may I be the first to say, "Congratulations, Mr. Jackass."

UPDATE 03/31 6:38 a.m. central: Many thanks to PoliPundit for the link; what a great way to end March. Welcome to any and all newcomers; hope you'll look around and stay awhile...Enjoy your Thursday.

When Is Breaking News Not Breaking?

...when the Jawa Report scoops every major media outlet for hours and hours. This story is old hat, if you're checking out the Jawa Report frequently (and if you're not, you should be). Way to go, Dr. Shackleford...you're on a roll...and by the way, you're a Google News source again!...

We're Not the Judean People's Front...

...we're the People's Front of Judea! Syria's President, as quoted in Christopher Dickey's Newsweek column:

�We�re not responsible for internal security in Lebanon. That was never Syria�s mission,� he said. �The role of Syria was to keep and to maintain civil peace in Lebanon and support the Lebanese security apparatus and army.�

!!!! Stunning in its boldness, no?....

It's Official - Wolfowitz Approved By EU

The details are here...now, I ask you, from a strictly power politics point of view, does George W. Bush look like a weak president to you? Prior to his second win and subsequent events in the Middle East, it is almost inconceivable this nomination would have stood. Now the only complaints seem to be in the press.

Way too much attention is being paid to Bush's low approval ratings in current polls. This is a natural consequence of his willingness to touch the third rail of Social Security reform, and the relentless negativity coming from the Left. In the only area that truly matters, that of historical significance, George W. Bush has turned out to be far more than even his supporters could have imagined. The quick acceptance of the hated Wolfowitz is testimony to that growing power and influence.

What I've Learned From Blogging, Part 1: The Joys of Being Linked To

Inspired by a conversation with the esteemed Dr. Rusty Shackleford, I�d like to take this opportunity to give any new bloggers (or the simply curious) an estimate of what kind of traffic levels to expect when linked to from various sources:

• Drudgealanche � Extremely rare�a Drudgealanche (not that I�ve ever received one) occurs when Matt Drudge links to you, and results in anywhere from 40,000 � 1,000,000 + unique visitors. The pinnacle�

• Instalanche � Highly coveted�a link from Glenn Reynolds, the Instapundit, is worth (from my own experience with the half-dozen or so I have received) from 500 � 9,000 unique visitors. Pretty damn good�

• Malkinalanche � Makes your day...a link from Michelle Malkin, judging from the two I�ve received, is worth from 400 � 1,000 unique visitors. A nice surprise�

• Decisalanche � Rarely noticed...a link from my own blog, Decision �08, results in an estimated 3 � 5 unique visitors. Valued slightly higher than a trip to the dentist or a kick in the pants...

Any questions?...

Today's Must-Read: Kofi Wins, But the Game Was Rigged

This article in the American Spectator is the most brutally anti-Kofi article I've yet to read...and that's saying something. Unfortunately, most all of it rings true...

Wictory Wednesday Focuses on Rhode Island

This week, Wictory Wednesday is devoted to helping out Senator Lincoln Chafee, R-RI. You can get the scoop here, and as always, give if you're willing and able, and check out a few random links from the blogroll at bottom left. The gift of traffic is beloved by bloggers everywhere...

The Pope Has a Feeding Tube

The Associated Press is reporting that Pope John Paul II is receiving nutrition through a feeding tube. Oddly, there was no mention of a litigation battle, though rumor has it Tom Delay and Judge Greer have booked passage to Vatican City...

Quick Shots: Lakers Minus Shaq = Bad

Professor Bainbridge on the Kobe brand Lakers - ouch!...

Not surprisingly, U2 remains the premier live rock band - see reviews of their tour opener at the New York Times, Rolling Stone, MSNBC, MTV, and just about anywhere else you care to look...man, I can't wait for that Houston show!...

Miscellanea: Who Could've Predicted It? Edition

Totally true to form, as anticipated, Kofi and his supporters are treating the Second Interim Report as total vindication. When asked if he would resign, Kofi replied, "Hell, no" (hat tip to RealClearPolitics)...

Well, Johnnie Cochran has passed away...and in sympathy, I'm shelving the treatment for JFK, The Sequel for now...will it be brought back? Who knows? Who cares?...more on Cochran from La Shawn Barber...

Ever have one of those days? Man, has mine been bad...but not as bad as it will get if the UN gets in the business of Internet regulation (hat tip to the Instapundit)...

Carpe Bonum tackles David Rieff's piece on 'muscular utopianism' and comes away unconvinced...

Betsy Newmark links to a study showing a lot of unsatisfied students at Harvard; she has some suggestions...

An excellent post from Dr. Shackleford on the three Romanian hostages taken in Iraq - don't miss it!...

And finally, a quick housekeeping thing...I have registered the domain www.decision08.net (.com was already gone), and if you enter it, you get redirected here (for now). It's a tiny baby step toward upgrading the blog...

Oil For Food, Part Twelve: A Summary of the Second Interim Report

I do the heavy lifting, so you don't have to...

The committee seeks to answer three questions in the report:

1. Was the selection of Cotecna in 1998 free of improper or illicit influence, and conducted according to regulations, including competitive bidding?
2. Was the conduct of Kofi Annan adequate, particularly regarding possible or apparent conflicts of interest?
3. Were the actions of others free from impropriety or misrepresentation?
   

There then follows a lot of investigative narrative, but we want the good stuff, right? Here are the findings:

• Kofi did not initiate a proper investigation when the conflict of interest arose; if he had, it is doubtful the contract with Cotecna would have been renewed.
• Cotecna was awarded the bid properly, save for two items: it did not complete a required questionnaire and financial statement, relevant as it was in financial difficulties, and no attention was paid to a Swiss criminal investigation of its CEO, relating to a bribe for a contract (hello? anybody home?).
• Kojo doesn't make out well at all. The committee finds that he deceived the investigators and his own father regarding his relationship with Cotecna.
• Cotecna's CEO is also accused of misleading the committee and making false statements.
  

There are also a couple of sections dealing with relatively minor figures who stand accused of shredding documents and officeholding with little or no work involved.

So what does the committee recommend? Are you ready? ....tighter procedures on conflicts of interest....wow! Let's not get too hasty and do anything rash here!...

To be continued...

More Cheney '08 Talk, And A Buried Whine

Jonathan Chait of TNR (hat tip to PoliPundit) is talking about the Cheney '08 movement. I still think it feels more like a trial balloon floated by politicos than a 'movement', and Chait basically admits as much in his article, though you have to read between the lines a little. This won't go down in history as the most well-reasoned piece of Chait's career. Consider:

Cheneymania has reached critical mass.

Then, in this same article:

...the columns hyping Cheney read like a thinly disguised plea for Bush's support.

Do two columns hyping Cheney as a potential candidate equal a mania? Then Chait drops his real motive for writing this column; it serves as a thinly veiled attack on Bush. Chait concludes:

Critics of this administration, like me, tend to believe that Bush owes a great deal of his political support to his personality. In public Bush comes off as folksy, droppin' his g's and fixin' to clear brush at the old ranch. Although this persona strikes me as obviously fake, it strikes most Americans as genuine and wholesome. If he didn't have this regular-guy image, Bush could never get away with policies uniformly tilted toward the rich and the business lobby. That's exactly why Republicans chose Bush in the first place.

Yep, Jonathan, that's why we chose Bush and why we reelected him, too, so he would soak the poor and coddle the rich. We're some real mean bastards, us Republicans. Amazing how basic economic theory has yet to infiltrate the ranks of most people on the left. Matthew Yglesias recently wrote about the income disparity in America, and while it indeed boggles the mind, statistics in themselves don't tell the story. Is the disparity the result of bad policy? Have the richest of the rich earned their money? Did they steal it? Is there a policy prescription hidden in any of this...?

I know I'm getting off track a little, but here's my point. It does no one any good to just point at large income disparities. Ultimately, either you accept the inequalities as the inevitable result of free market capitalism or you embrace a socialistic scheme of income redistribution. There really is no middle; don't be fooled.

What's all this got to do with Cheney? Simply this: Cheney is a businessman at heart; so is George W. Bush. Businessmen tend to believe in making money; a lot of it, in fact. To many on the left, that makes them greedy; to many on the right, objects of admiration. By encouraging economic activity that lifts all boats, though some more than others, of course, conservatives believe we ultimately benefit the poor more in the long term (and often in the short term) than those who cry so loudly on their behalf.

Oh, and Cheney '08? Well, I'll give in slightly: I'm bumping him up.

CURRENT ODDS: 60-1

Today's Must Read: Thwarting the Search for Bin Laden

It actually came out yesterday, but there's an excellent (if infuriating) article in the New York Sun by Richard Miniter detailing how a U.S. diplomat hindered our search for Osama bin Laden. Heads should roll (hat tip to Power Line)...

Miscellanea: Fun With Numbers Edition

Jeff at the Bernoulli Effect takes apart a study some anti-war folks are using as ammo. I suggest you take a look...

Michelle Malkin has started a side blog with some friends dealing with immigration issues, a matter dear to her heart, and the subject of two books written by her. Did you know one out of every eleven people in Arizona is an illegal immigrant? Bet you didn't...

Captain Ed and Google make all nice after a little unplanned snafu. The moral: read the fine print...

Chrenkoff joins the chorus hoping Rosett gets a Pulitzer; I second that emotion...

Yes, Professor Bainbridge, we could go through that troublesome L.A. Time registration...or we could just make do with your brilliant analysis. Guess which one I chose (oh, and the subject is Ahh-nold)...

The Best Basketball Weekend Ever?

An entertaining piece in Slate by Robert Weintraub says it was...that may be a little too much (can anything ever top Laettner's turnaround jumper?), but it was definitely in the top ten. Weintraub points out how much bad coaching there was from some big-time coaches...of course, that assumes the players run the play that was called. Perhaps some of it was just poor execution.

I agree completely, though, and remarked on it at the time, that Kentucky just completely blew it at the end of the first overtime. Weintraub has some harsh words about my Red Raiders, too, saying they suffered a meltdown at the end of their Sweet Sixteen game. I didn't see it as a meltdown; I thought they were just flat. Here's hoping the Final Four lives up to the games we just saw (but then again, how could it?).

Eric Alterman: A Subtle Voice of Reason

If you see this man, RUN! From today's column ("How Do You Spell Police-State?"):

The United States of America, under the leadership of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, is operating a police state at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere in military and secret prisons throughout the world, where innocent people are being jailed, tortured and sometimes murdered without concern for their guilt or innocence. This is not empty, anti-American rhetoric, it is verifiable truth, and aside from the moral revulsion it causes in anyone who claims to be interested in such matters, it also undermines any claims we might have to the moral leadership of the world community. Do I exaggerate? I think not. Does anyone care? You can bet the rest of the world does.

No comment necessary...

The Must-Read Hat Trick

Three must-reads in a day? Why not? Lawrence Kaplan in TNR (may require registration, but it's free), the most 'centrist' of the leftwing journals, asks why we aren't hearing the good trends in Iraq from the mainstream media:

...over the past month, the news from Iraq has been unusually good. Depending on which military official you ask, insurgent attacks have dropped by either a third or nearly half. The number of Americans killed in action has declined. Civilians have begun killing terrorists. Over the past week alone, U.S. forces have killed scores of insurgents in lopsided battles--in the latest, Iraqi forces spearheaded the offensive.

Kaplan concludes ominously:

What worries me is that, unlike in Vietnam, where the press only broke with official policy after the Tet Offensive, the reverse may have happened in Iraq--that is, reporters have become so accustomed to bad news that they won't accept, and hence convey, good news for what it is. The result would be the same. As the late Peter Braestrup documents in his two-volume book on the subject, by the time the smoke had cleared from Tet and the good news had emerged that the Viet Cong had been defeated, no one was listening. Walter Cronkite had already declared the war a lost cause; The Wall Street Journal had already editorialized that Vietnam was "falling apart beneath our feet."

Who Says Bloggers Don't Do Journalism?

They forgot to tell Roger Simon, who has some Oil-For-Food news that's not going to make Kofi's life any easier. Simon says he's sharing information with the great Claudia Rosett. That makes two must-reads for today (hat tip to the mighty Instapundit)...

Today's Must-Read: US To Begin Withdrawal From Iraq This Year, Says Novak

Columnist Robert Novak is reporting that Condi is a strong advocate of beginning an Iraq pullout soon. He describes her as an extremely strong Secretary of State who is not in thrall to the neocon vision of a perfect democracy. Is he right? Well, he has good sources...just ask Joe Wilson...

Miscellanea: Easter Bonus Edition

Brian J. by way of A Small Victory asks: what albums can you sing from memory? Jeez, I could go on forever, so here's the first ten that pop into my head:

Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers
Frank Sinatra: In the Wee Small Hours
Robert Earl Keen: Gringo Honeymoon
Bruce Springsteen: The River
U2: War
The Beatles: Rubber Soul
The Replacements: Tim
Pink Floyd: The Wall
Shawn Colvin: Cover Girl
Grateful Dead: Without a Net...

Kevin Drum links to a couple of Lefties who definitely aren't in the Easter spirit and sets off a firestorm in the comments - looks like this Red State - Blue State thing ain't going anywhere for a while...

Oliver Kamm...on Chomsky...what are you waiting for?...

Daniel Drezner links to an article that gives hope to all of us who are decidedly NOT morning people...

Meryl Yourish on Syria's 'long-standing tradition of religious coexistence' - devastatingly on-target...

Finally, this, just because I love dogs...

And Then There Were Four...

One of the great Regional Finals weekends ever has wrapped up, and #5 seed Michigan State outlasted #2 seed Kentucky in double overtime. So, ladies and gentlemen, your 2005 Final Four:

#1 seed Illinois
#4 seed Louisville

#1 seed North Carolina
#5 seed Michigan State

And now my bold prediction...BOTH #1 seeds lose, and Rick Pitino's Louisville falls to Tom Izzo's Michigan State 81-77 in the Championship. You heard it here first!

I Might As Well Be Liveblogging...

...maybe I will for the Final Four or Championship...but man, was that ever poor execution by Kentucky! Overtime #2 on the way!...

Ohhhhhh, BABY!!

Man, the THIRD overtime of the four Regional Finals...was his foot on the line?...Probably so, but I agree it was inconclusive...

Miscellanea: Place Your Bets Edition

Will Kerry ever sign the SF-180? PoliPundit wants your best guess...

Does Paul Wolfowitz have a Muslim girlfriend? Does it matter? Dr. Rusty Shackleford weighs in here...

JustOneMinute says the Schiavo controversy may have opened the door for a renewed stem cell debate. How so? Follow the link...

Little Green Footballs links to an article suggesting Kofi Annan is depressed and close to quitting. I'm not happy about the depressed part (really, I mean it), but the quitting would be a good idea...

There has been some buzz about the Iraqi resistance beginning to crack...let's hope there's truth to it. Chrenkoff has the details...

Now I must watch the end of this game...it's another great one!...

Three Out of Four...

...and ticket number three belongs to #1 seed North Carolina, winners against #6 seed Wisconsin in yet another great game. Michigan State fights it out with Kentucky right here in Austin for the final spot...

Candidate Profile Fifteen: Jeb Bush

Dave Guipe links to a Democracy Corps poll showing Hillary Clinton beating Jeb Bush by 50-47 in a hypothetical matchup, then remarks on two things: (1) Hillary getting 50%, and (2) the fact that Jeb has likely run his last race. Has he? Let's take a look...

John Ellis Bush - official biography

If there's a Jeb 2008 site, I missed it...

Resume: two-term governor of Florida; former real estate executive; former Florida Secretary of Commerce; started the first charter school in Florida

Many pundits have rightly noted that despite our fascination with the 'glamorous' Kennedy clan, their accomplishments have been rather weak compared with that other American dynasty, the Bushes. Jeb is the fourth Bush to hold high elective office, and he seems an amiable, normal sort of guy, but I'm not sure he has the charisma to make a run at the highest office of all.

Jeb has ruled out a 2008 run (I think we all know how much faith to put in that sort of proclamation), but insider buzz has prominent Republicans urging him to consider a run for the Senate; some also see him as an attractive vice presidential candidate (and I think they may be on to something there).

As a VP pick, Jeb would bring some great conservative bonafides, such as his involvement with charter schools, his executive level experience in both the private and public sectors, his connections, and his base in Florida, one of the bigger electoral prizes. A presidential run, however, would require him to overcome the huge obstacle of attempting to be the third president out of the last four out of the same family. Can you imagine the moaning about the new monarchy, nepotism, blah, blah, blah...? It's enough to make you weary before it ever begins.

Still, to paraphrase the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you should never misunderestimate a Bush. I don't think a run from Jeb in 2008 is completely out of the question; I don't think it's very likely, either.

CURRENT ODDS: 22-1

UPDATE 07/24/2005 10:56 p.m.:

CURRENT ODDS: 25-1: see here...

Today's Must-Read: Aides to Reid Behind Memo?

I've briefly covered the kerfuffle over that supposed 'Josh Marshall' (a little inside humor) that the Republicans allegedly distributed regarding the Schiavo case. Power Line has a summary of an intriguing development: some Republican staffers, according to In the Agora, are suggesting an aide to Harry Reid may be behind the memo. The problem: they'll name names, but won't give up their own, which is causing Michelle Malkin, among others, to greet the story with skepticism. Stay tuned...