Redstate

By haystack Posted in Bob Dole | Carol Strayhorn | Miscellanea | Political Opportunism | Scott McClellan — Comments (13) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

There's more to the McClellan story than what our purveyors of truth and fairness in the main scream media have told you: his Mama made him do it.

The thrice-married Mrs. Strayhorn has switched from Democrat to Republican to independent during her more than 30 years in politics, which culminated with two terms as Texas comptroller and an unsuccessful run for governor in 2006.

During her second term as comptroller, Mrs. Strayhorn frequently attacked members of her own Republican party, including Gov. Rick Perry and leaders in the legislature.

Many regarded these moves as a tactic to increase her own name recognition and lay the groundwork for her 2006 gubernatorial run.

Hmm...

For the record, I have already suggested that folks like McClellan (who suck at their jobs) might yet find ways to improve their sorry lives by writing books and using them as shivs in the backs of those who stood by them while they sucked at their jobs. But even Monica Lewinsky knew when to keep her mouth shut, and when to open it [do with that what you will].

What McClellan tells us in his book, while juicy and delicious and delectable for those who spend every waking moment looking for reasons to hate President Bush (or be vindicated for already hating him) really doesn't concern me very much. The bigger issue with this latest rumor-mill style of so-called tell-all trash from an inferior and disgruntled employee is in understanding why he did this when he did it. But, before we go below the fold for more details, let's segue with a love letter from Bob Dole...just to set the tone:

No doubt you will 'clean up' as the liberal anti-Bush press will promote your belated concerns with wild enthusiasm. When the money starts rolling in you should donate it to a worthy cause, something like, 'Biting The Hand That Fed Me.' Another thought is to weasel your way back into the White House if a Democrat is elected. That would provide a good set up for a second book deal in a few years"

Funny you should mention that Bob, given that last may be exactly what 'ol Scotty boy has in mind...

More below the "pass the popcorn" fold...

I know, I know..."Bush Lied...people died." Got it. "It's about the oil, dummy!" Check. "We were misled into an unjust war." Uh huh.

What never ceases to amaze me..as the screamers on the left rail unabated about the evil-ness of George Bush...is how much credit they give to a man they simultaneously insist is the dumbest dolt of a President we have ever elected into office. He's done quite well for himself taking over the world while being about as sharp upstairs as 'ol Forrest Gump. Of course, this all makes for great political theater but it doesn't serve our collective best interests regarding taxes, entitlements, national security and sovereignty, or the plight of the homeless...but who really cares about that boring stuff anyway? Someone is standing up (again) and speaking truthyness to power you see.

Partially stealing from Gingrich here, I would offer that most of us care more about American Idol than this whole McClellan flap...save for those who stand to gain something from keeping this "hot" in the news. [3700 related articles when I pulled the search]

If you're as cynical as me, you'll recognize this is all about laying groundwork. Perry is going to leave the Governor's mansion sooner or later, and while Kay Bailey Hutchison may or may NOT run to replace him, Carol Keeton-Strayhorn-McClellan-Rylander-Strayhorn-whatever just may be aiming to claim that real estate for herself. She has never been loyal to a party if it got in the way of her own ambitions...why should her progeny be any different?

Of course, as Paul Burka points out in the Washington Times piece, 'ol Scotty boy won't be getting too many votes in the near future down here in Texas:

"Scott's going to be something of a man without a country if he comes back," said Paul Burka, senior executive editor at Texas Monthly magazine.

"I don't think the Republicans would be much enamored with him," Mr. Burka said. "I just don't see him having much of an immediate future in politics."

But that doesn't mean his Mama wouldn't benefit (were she to turn Left...again...) from the noise and the ruffled feathers of dazed and confused Republicans here in Texas. [note to Scott: We Texans have very long memories, man...you might want to take on one of your Mother's other last names...she's got a couple to spare]

In a piece at the WaPo McClellan tells us his book "evolved" and insists that "he did not set out to write a memoir that was sharply critical of the White House." Funny, Scott...it became "a scathing critique of the Bush presidency" all the same. Sorta like how your Mama evolved from being a Republican running for Governor until she knew she was going to lose...and became an Independent who lost just as badly. And, a lot of why she lost was because of her incessant bitching about her competition as opposed to offering sound ideas for improving Texas.

Scott McClellan could have stayed on plan and written this book to help improve Washington. Unfortunately, like with his Mama (one tough Grandma) it evolved into trashing everyone around him just to make himself feel a little bit better about his own shortcomings. Again, from the WashTimes:

Ray Sullivan, a political consultant in Austin who was Mr. McClellan's predecessor as deputy spokesman in the Bush governor's office during the late 1990s, said he is troubled by doubts about Mr. McClellan's motives for writing his book.

"If you know Scott, you like to think that his motivation is honest and straightforward, but it's easy to envision a very crass motivation," Mr. Sullivan said.

The apple sure didn't fall far from that tree, now did it?