Posted on 12/18/2004 9:54:09 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch said Saturday that ex-police commissioner Bernard Kerik was a "disgrace" for trying to cover-up so much of his past when President Bush tapped him to head the Homeland Security Department.
"He's a disgrace," Koch told WABC Radio's Mark Simone.
Simone countered that despite the scandals that have engulfed Kerik, his job performance had been excellent. But Koch was unmoved.
"I don't care. He still should have had to go through [the city's Department of Investigations]," the ex-mayor said, citing allegations that Kerik had accepted cash from an organized crime figure in New Jersey.
Commenting Kerik's acknowledgment that he kept two mistresses while married, Koch said that was his "own business . . . except when his public life becomes a part of it."
"When he uses an apartment given to the police department for cops to rest after 9/11 duty, then it becomes a public matter," he noted.
Koch also had some sharp words for ex-mayor Rudy Giuliani, who recommended Kerik to the Bush White House.
"Rudy, I always thought was a hands-on mayor. But it appears he didn't make any inquiries of the DOI when he took him from being his driver and made him corrections commissioner without the checks that are required," he said.
"That is not only sloppy. That's crazy."
This guy even stawked one of his ex-lovers. In phone calls he reportedly described her dates in intimate details while she was on them. He also pretented (or actually did) follow her son to school as he commuted back to college, and told her which exit he was traversing in real time.
Wow. This guy went from respect to donkey turd at warp speed.
One name: Donald Manes. That ought to shut Ed's trap. V's wife.
Did Ed Koch know about any of Kerik's pecadillos? He's a powerful NY insider; I would think he had at least a clue. Koch supported Bush in the election and was roundly criticized by his fellow Dims. He didn't support the president enough to make a warning phone call?
All things considered, Rudy brought this on himself and if people are speaking out......so be it!
Response: No only too typical of a politician, in America, in 2004 A.D.
I liked the image of Kerik as it existed at the time he was named for the DHS post. That was a bit at variance with the reality of Kerik at the time he was named for the DHS post. So, we live and learn. I am grateful that someone, somewhere (in the White House or anywhere) knew enough to submarine this selection before the nomination package was forwarded to the Senate. Otherwise we'd be hearing Barbara Boxer and Leahy and the usual suspects bitching and whining on an hourly basis.
I agree with Koch, but it makes me think back to that silly argument that a person is O.K. because you liked them when you didn't know the bad things they'd done.
you're not calling for Kerik to kill himself too are ya?
At least Tom Lantos was the one Democrat who actually wanted to hold someone in the Clinton White House accountable.
Koch is right. End of discussion.
Hey - Anyone who criticizes someone who Bush thought is good must be an anti-American terrorist supporter. [sarcasm off if that is necessary]
BTTT
Does Koch want people looking in his closet?
When the shoe's on the other foot... he might just want to think about that.
Not that Kerik should have been Homeland Security director, but Koch is a huge hypocrite given his situation.
My question is how the hell did Kerik, a candidate for homeland security, ever make it through the rigorous security clearance without this coming out. Seems like the president's intelligence agencies may not be doing a very good job when a reporter can find this stuff out in less than 2 days using public records and the internet.
Seems Bush's intelligence agencies have a history of being easily duped. Looks like someone was trying to sneak a guy with blackmail potential into this important position. Can't blame Tenet or Clinton for this one.
All Kerik was doing was trying to pull a Bill Clintoon action.
Manes! LOL! A blast from the past!
Image is everything!
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