Unhappy W.

Townhall.com ^ | November 12, 2005 | Robert Novak

[paudio]

Bush should show more of his unhappiness to his staffs if they don't serve him well.

The article has comments on several other issues as well.

[itsinthebag]

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, a conservative Republican, has retained the prominent Washington book lawyer Robert B. Barnett, who secured multimillion-dollar advances for memoirs by Bill and Hillary Clinton.

A spokeswoman for Ashcroft said Barnett was hired in connection with an undisclosed book project. It is believed that Ashcroft, a former governor of Missouri and former U.S. senator, is considering a book about his four years (2001-2004) as attorney general.

Barnett is clearly identified as a Democrat. Federal Election Commission records show him contributing this year to Democratic Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Maria Cantwell of Washington and Bill Nelson of Florida. In 2003 and 2004, he helped Democratic presidential candidates John Kerry, Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt and Joe Lieberman. Records dating back to 1999 show no Barnett contributions to any Republican.

Hmmm. Interesting. Wondering out loud if Ashcroft is planning to reveal something negatively concerning his tenure in the Bush Administration.

[jonefab]

ASHCROFT'S AGENT Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, a conservative Republican, has retained the prominent Washington book lawyer Robert B. Barnett, who secured multimillion-dollar advances for memoirs by Bill and Hillary Clinton. A spokeswoman for Ashcroft said Barnett was hired in connection with an undisclosed book project. It is believed that Ashcroft, a former governor of Missouri and former U.S. senator, is considering a book about his four years (2001-2004) as attorney general. Barnett is clearly identified as a Democrat. Federal Election Commission records show him contributing this year to Democratic Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Maria Cantwell of Washington and Bill Nelson of Florida. In 2003 and 2004, he helped Democratic presidential candidates John Kerry, Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt and Joe Lieberman. Records dating back to 1999 show no Barnett contributions to any Republican.

I cannot believe this continues to happen on a daily basis. Conservatives, almost never, take care of "their own". Seems to me he could have found a good conservative lawyer that could do just as good a job, without the risk of a whisle blower type problem in the future.

[endthematrix]

More like retaining a top elite lawyer. He's a big player. Bob Dole and Lynne Cheney were clients.

[B.Bumbleberry]

I know it's late, but just think for a second. Ashcroft is hiring a lawyer who apparently specializes in book contracts. In other words he's involved in negotiating the terms of Ashcroft's deal with a publisher. The lawyer likely has nothing whatever to do with the content of the book that is being discussed, and his personal politics are probably completely irrelevant.

[BonnieJ]

Does Novak ever report anything the least bit positive about the GOP??

[Recon Dad]

On the upside he got to fly on Air Force One.

[G.Mason]

Robert Novak has become little more that a Hollywood like gossip columnist. That blurb was but further evidence.

[OldFriend]

Novak is a hasbeen. Now that CNN has decided not to reinstate him, there is no venue for this bilge so he writes columns designed to get attention.

He's a bitter old man with an obvious hatred for the Bush family.

[sphinx]

Does Novak ever report anything the least bit positive about the GOP??

I like Bob Novak. Last saw him at a Jesse Helms testemonial dinner a couple of months ago. Splendid job. Great gathering of the conservative wing of the center-right party. As to his reporting, you always know where he's coming from. I don't necessarily take political guidance from him, but he's always worth reading because he's pretty well tied into our side in the Great Factional Wars.

[Alia]

Bush should show more of his unhappiness to his staffs if they don't serve him well.

No. He shouldn't be showing his "unhappiness". He should be dealing assertively with those who aren't doing their jobs. Period.

Secondarily, the whole team (and President) knew they were going into a "hostile environment". The last time they went into a "hostile environment", one of the President's security detail was roughed up.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Robert Novak has become little more than a Hollywood like gossip columnist.

Amen!

[G.Mason]

I know what you mean.

I'm getting old and am but a spark of the raging fire I once was, also.

Thankfully I did not write for a living (you can tell?) and re-introduced myself to the rewards of fishing, though I occasionally clean my weapons and dream of the next battle. ;)

[G.Mason]

;)

[MNJohnnie]

Right. Funny how the same people that whine all the time about "Why doesn't Bush fight back" spend all their time sniping at the White House. Don't spend any time talking about all the sleaze ball tactics by the Dems. No instead write what amounts to a High School gossip column about how Bush is "mad at his staff".

[son of caesar]

this article is bull. bush suffered no indignity, there were differences of opinon and the slugs who run the loser hellhole called s america have no manners as to when to mouth off. trust me, ive been down there, its worse than a public latrine. when a great man like w goes overseas, he represents the usa, the usa has dignity. other countries who try to mock that have no dignity at all, elsewise they would behave more maturely.

[MNJohnnie]

because he's pretty well tied into our side in the Great Factional Wars.

Actually no, he is pretty much like G Wills an etablishment RINO who spends most his time sniping at his own side instead of advancing the agenda. Like most of the "Conservatives" in the Dinasour media, he sold out a long time ago.

[McGavin999]

WOW! I'll bet that's never happened before. I'll bet every president down through history has always been completely satisfied with everything done by everyone around him.

My gracious, a boss who got mad at his employees, what is the world coming to?

[G.Mason]

"Actually no, he is pretty much like G Wills an etablishment RINO who spends most his time sniping at his own side instead of advancing the agenda ... "

Like an actor who refuses to leave the stage, Robert Novak will remain "sniping" either until the tomatoes sting too much, or they get the hook. ;)

BTW ... you nailed George Will perfectly.

[gaspar]

In Argentina on eats dinner after 10PM. If Bush didn't know that it is the U.S. Embassy rather than the NSC's fault.