In this month’s lead opinion, David Frum—former special assistant to George W Bush—looks back at the internal politics of the Bush administration in the light of Scott McClellan’s incendiary recent memoir, What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and What’s Wrong with Washington (PublicAffairs).
McClellan cuts, Frum argues, a sad and sympathetic figure despite the bitter tone of his memoir. Here was a man clearly deficient in his job as White House press secretary, yet compelled to discharge his duty day after day; an official at once supported and ensnared by his bullying, chummy and ruthless commander-in-chief, who selected his inner circles on the basis of loyalty rather than competence.
It was a cynical form of failure. As Frum explains, the gravest internal defects of the Bush administration were the products of conscious design. Yet in trying to correct these, Bush’s successor faces perhaps the most problematic paradox of government—that there is no wholly successful way of running a White House.
Share
Comments
Print
Add Comment
Et tu, David?
Apparently, President Bush’s obsession with loyalty didn’t extend to two notable appointees–Scott McClellan and now, David Frum. It’s curious that when Frum lists the Bush Staffers who lacked talent, his own name is absent. He used to be a brilliant articulator of conservative ideas. Now, he’s revealed himself as just another fair-weather friend, moving toward a friendlier climate.
The public perceives the Bush Administration sinking into the sea, and the water is now filled with rats swimming for cover. They may get big book deals, or articles in major magazines, but they’re still rats.
Very Good article stressing a point I hadn’t considered. I like journalist like you who bring up points that are not politically influenced and says something we need to hear.
(in response to David Frum’s article: “They Stood By Their Man.”)
I look forward to hearing more from Mr. Frum.
how does he explain Cheney, Rumsfeld and Powell
Is this a rework of a previous article? How come so many of the phrases sound so familiar?
good riposte above, to point out the headstrong Cheney/Rumsfeld crew, who would surely contradict the submissive-follower angle David Frum sets up;
BTW, Frum may fit more the former catefory, as he was reportedly forced out for his lack of deference to/agreement with Karen Hughes, who was responsible for White House message
I love that Bill Ireland, who has never met George Bush in person, just dismisses David Frum’s experience with a groundless personal attack. That is so in line with what I would expect from a Bush loyalist. I could not have possibly come up with a better example of what is wrong with the mindless, robotic Bushie.
As for the comments of Dave and Larry, I have to wonder if either of them have ever been to High School. A bully often makes the best submissive follower of a bigger bully. Their behavior has in no way marked thwm out as strong people, unless you consider intimidation, blame dodging, shouting and petty revenge as acts of strength.
I was very disappointed to see what they did to Powell, but at least he finally had had enough of their BS.
The whole pack of them will rot in hell for what they have done to this country.
Everything goes out the window when you send the country into war. At that point, personal loyalty must yield to bipartisanship and competence. FDR: Knox and Stimson