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Bob Dole Rips Scott McClellan a New One

Bob Dole is not happy with Scott McClellan's sleazy attempt at a book and he let him have it, man to punk. Jonathan Martin at the Politico intercepted the email and has the story:

"There are miserable creatures like you in every administration who don't have the guts to speak up or quit if there are disagreements with the boss or colleagues," Dole wrote in a message sent yesterday morning. "No, your type soaks up the benefits of power, revels in the limelight for years, then quits and, spurred on by greed, cashes in with a scathing critique."

"In my nearly 36 years of public service I've known of a few like you," Dole writes, recounting his years representing Kansas in the House and Senate. "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"

That had to have smarted. I think McClellan is still seeing stars.

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Comments (47)

Wow...getting gob smacked b... (Below threshold)
JFO:

Wow...getting gob smacked by a 90 yo dyspeptic right winger. Ouch!!
That'll teach you sonny.

LOL, JFO, ya gotta think mo... (Below threshold)
epador:

LOL, JFO, ya gotta think more clearly before pressing send.

So Dole's problem is not wi... (Below threshold)
Brian:

So Dole's problem is not with what McClellan wrote, but that McClellan should have said something sooner rather than waiting for his book.

Fair point, but it hardly refutes any of McClellan's claims.

Fair point, but it hardl... (Below threshold)
cirby:

Fair point, but it hardly refutes any of McClellan's claims.

The funny thing is how the Democrats are all jumping in to tell us how McClellan has Revealed the Truth, while not noticing that his main claims on the invasion of Iraq directly refute almost everything the left has been screaming about for the last few years. It was about changing the government in Iraq and reshaping the Mideast away from Islamicism, not oil, not revenge for Bush's father, and not any of those other silly-ass claims we've been getting from the "reality" folks.

In other words, it really was for the main reason we've been telling the left, and that they've been screaming isn't true.

So, since McC has come forward and shown the left to have been so wrong about the motivations for invading Iraq, are they going to apologize for their claims over the last five years?

while not noticing that ... (Below threshold)
Brian:

while not noticing that his main claims on the invasion of Iraq directly refute almost everything the left

You say this, but then you limit the claims from "the left" only to "those other silly-ass claims we've been getting from the 'reality' folks." In other words, "the left" to you is D.U.

You're guilty of what Bush is guilty of, which is only paying attention to the fringe, and ignoring everyone else.

To elaborate...... (Below threshold)
Brian:

To elaborate...

It was about changing the government in Iraq and reshaping the Mideast away from Islamicism

We know. The questions from the rational crowd, though, were, "is there an imminent threat that requires this", and "do we have a workable plan for achieving it?"

We've already learned by observation that the answers were "no" and "no". What McClellan adds is the revelation that Bush knew those same answers himself, but told the public otherwise.

The fun will be in the futu... (Below threshold)
Scrapiron:

The fun will be in the future. Boooosh will leave office. Boooosh will get invited to make thousands of speaches around the world. Boooosh can arm himself with a little black book for each speach and ruin people like McClellan, the media talking heads, and half the politicians in the democrat party. Will he? Probably not, but for a fact he can and it will be up to him. I would enjoy watching him do it. One such speach and the democrat weasels would break out in a cold sweat every time he hit the trail. Like a Dimmy Carter in reverse, someone with a brain attacking the left.

Brian, study recent history... (Below threshold)
Scrapiron:

Brian, study recent history a little before you make a total a** of yourself. The invasion of Iraq and removal of Saddam was set in stone in the late 90's and it was approved/mandated by congress and signed by Slick Willie. He just got busy with a blue dress and didn't have anything left in his balls (it was on the blues dress) to carry out the mission. Now all of you lefties ego's are wounded (that's all that will ever be wounded in cowards) since you now know you back only cowards and someone else took action. Go ahead and call a Vietnam vet with 22 years service a chickenhawk (a bird of prey), you know you want to. Just don't call me to put the fire out in your home (I am a 'volunteer' firefigher also). A chickenhawk is afraid of fire.

Not to mention this man was... (Below threshold)
SteveC:

Not to mention this man was never in on any of these meetings he supposedly thought were so nefarious. Maybe he's making...stuff up.

awww ..c'mon Scrapiron ther... (Below threshold)
Knightbrigade:

awww ..c'mon Scrapiron there has got to be at least a 2% chance that you MIGHT piss on Brian if he WAS on fire......

"In other words, "the left" to you is D.U." or
"only paying attention to the fringe"

..NO..pretty much ANY left tard fit's the category of whinebag concerning anything military.

I like your analogy of cour... (Below threshold)
hyperbolist:

I like your analogy of courage-as-semen, Scrapiron. Whales are the bravest creatures.

Brian, study recent hist... (Below threshold)
Brian:

Brian, study recent history a little before you make a total a** of yourself. The invasion of Iraq and removal of Saddam was set in stone in the late 90's and it was approved/mandated by congress and signed by Slick Willie.

That excerpt alone shows you to be delusional enough to not be worth a response.

That was funny, but phony. ... (Below threshold)
Ryan:

That was funny, but phony. I'm supposed to believe some blogger intercepted an email between Bob Dole and Scott McClellan? That fact that you gave it credence is kinda silly in itself. I would think that Bob Dole is a little more distinguished than the text of this email. You should have credited it to Karl Rove or that guy who was the drill sargeant in Full Metal Jacket.

Please don't freak out and ... (Below threshold)
Ryan:

Please don't freak out and point me to Politico.com for authentication.

You might as well cite the National
Enquirer about how Britney Spears had gay sex with an alien onboard a UFO and now wants to get married in California.

Scrapiron,<p... (Below threshold)
dr lava:

Scrapiron,

Why do right wing authoritarian submissives like yourself get off demonstrating ignorance in public.

I am "puzzled' by your actions.

Brian, a little advice for ... (Below threshold)

Brian, a little advice for you:

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

Iraq Liberation Act of 1998

One Hundred Fifth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,

the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight

An Act

To establish a program to support a transition to democracy in Iraq.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Iraq Liberation Act of 1998'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress makes the following findings:

(1) On September 22, 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, starting an 8 year war in which Iraq employed chemical weapons against Iranian troops and ballistic missiles against Iranian cities.

(2) In February 1988, Iraq forcibly relocated Kurdish civilians from their home villages in the Anfal campaign, killing an estimated 50,000 to 180,000 Kurds.

(3) On March 16, 1988, Iraq used chemical weapons against Iraqi Kurdish civilian opponents in the town of Halabja, killing an estimated 5,000 Kurds and causing numerous birth defects that affect the town today.

(4) On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded and began a 7 month occupation of Kuwait, killing and committing numerous abuses against Kuwaiti civilians, and setting Kuwait's oil wells ablaze upon retreat.

(5) Hostilities in Operation Desert Storm ended on February 28, 1991, and Iraq subsequently accepted the ceasefire conditions specified in United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 (April 3, 1991) requiring Iraq, among other things, to disclose fully and permit the dismantlement of its weapons of mass destruction programs and submit to long-term monitoring and verification of such dismantlement.

(6) In April 1993, Iraq orchestrated a failed plot to assassinate former President George Bush during his April 14-16, 1993, visit to Kuwait.

(7) In October 1994, Iraq moved 80,000 troops to areas near the border with Kuwait, posing an imminent threat of a renewed invasion of or attack against Kuwait.

(8) On August 31, 1996, Iraq suppressed many of its opponents by helping one Kurdish faction capture Irbil, the seat of the Kurdish regional government.

(9) Since March 1996, Iraq has systematically sought to deny weapons inspectors from the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) access to key facilities and documents, has on several occasions endangered the safe operation of UNSCOM helicopters transporting UNSCOM personnel in Iraq, and has persisted in a pattern of deception and concealment regarding the history of its weapons of mass destruction programs.

(10) On August 5, 1998, Iraq ceased all cooperation with UNSCOM, and subsequently threatened to end long-term monitoring activities by the International Atomic Energy Agency and UNSCOM.

(11) On August 14, 1998, President Clinton signed Public Law 105-235, which declared that `the Government of Iraq is in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations' and urged the President `to take appropriate action, in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws of the United States, to bring Iraq into compliance with its international obligations.'.

(12) On May 1, 1998, President Clinton signed Public Law 105-174, which made $5,000,000 available for assistance to the Iraqi democratic opposition for such activities as organization, training, communication and dissemination of information, developing and implementing agreements among opposition groups, compiling information to support the indictment of Iraqi officials for war crimes, and for related purposes.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD IRAQ.

It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.

SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT A TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ.

(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE- The President may provide to the Iraqi democratic opposition organizations designated in accordance with section 5 the following assistance:

(1) BROADCASTING ASSISTANCE- (A) Grant assistance to such organizations for radio and television broadcasting by such organizations to Iraq.

(B) There is authorized to be appropriated to the United States Information Agency $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 to carry out this paragraph.

(2) MILITARY ASSISTANCE- (A) The President is authorized to direct the drawdown of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense, defense services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training for such organizations.

(B) The aggregate value (as defined in section 644(m) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961) of assistance provided under this paragraph may not exceed $97,000,000.

(b) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE- The Congress urges the President to use existing authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals living in areas of Iraq controlled by organizations designated in accordance with section 5, with emphasis on addressing the needs of individuals who have fled to such areas from areas under the control of the Saddam Hussein regime.

(c) RESTRICTION ON ASSISTANCE- No assistance under this section shall be provided to any group within an organization designated in accordance with section 5 which group is, at the time the assistance is to be provided, engaged in military cooperation with the Saddam Hussein regime.

(d) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT- The President shall notify the congressional committees specified in section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 at least 15 days in advance of each obligation of assistance under this section in accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under section 634A.

(e) REIMBURSEMENT RELATING TO MILITARY ASSISTANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Defense articles, defense services, and military education and training provided under subsection (a)(2) shall be made available without reimbursement to the Department of Defense except to the extent that funds are appropriated pursuant to paragraph (2).

(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to the President for each of the fiscal years 1998 and 1999 such sums as may be necessary to reimburse the applicable appropriation, fund, or account for the value (as defined in section 644(m) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961) of defense articles, defense services, or military education and training provided under subsection (a)(2).

(f) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- (1) Amounts authorized to be appropriated under this section are authorized to remain available until expended.

(2) Amounts authorized to be appropriated under this section are in addition to amounts otherwise available for the purposes described in this section.

(g) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE- Activities under this section (including activities of the nature described in subsection (b)) may be undertaken notwithstanding any other provision of law.

SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF IRAQI DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION ORGANIZATION.

(a) INITIAL DESIGNATION- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall designate one or more Iraqi democratic opposition organizations that the President determines satisfy the criteria set forth in subsection (c) as eligible to receive assistance under section 4.

(b) DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS- At any time subsequent to the initial designation pursuant to subsection (a), the President may designate one or more additional Iraqi democratic opposition organizations that the President determines satisfy the criteria set forth in subsection (c) as eligible to receive assistance under section 4.

(c) CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION- In designating an organization pursuant to this section, the President shall consider only organizations that--

(1) include a broad spectrum of Iraqi individuals, groups, or both, opposed to the Saddam Hussein regime; and

(2) are committed to democratic values, to respect for human rights, to peaceful relations with Iraq's neighbors, to maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity, and to fostering cooperation among democratic opponents of the Saddam Hussein regime.

(d) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT- At least 15 days in advance of designating an Iraqi democratic opposition organization pursuant to this section, the President shall notify the congressional committees specified in section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 of his proposed designation in accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under section 634A.

SEC. 6. WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR IRAQ.

Consistent with section 301 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (Public Law 102-138), House Concurrent Resolution 137, 105th Congress (approved by the House of Representatives on November 13, 1997), and Senate Concurrent Resolution 78, 105th Congress (approved by the Senate on March 13, 1998), the Congress urges the President to call upon the United Nations to establish an international criminal tribunal for the purpose of indicting, prosecuting, and imprisoning Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi officials who are responsible for crimes against humanity, genocide, and other criminal violations of international law.

SEC. 7. ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ UPON REPLACEMENT OF SADDAM HUSSEIN REGIME.

It is the sense of the Congress that once the Saddam Hussein regime is removed from power in Iraq, the United States should support Iraq's transition to democracy by providing immediate and substantial humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, by providing democracy transition assistance to Iraqi parties and movements with democratic goals, and by convening Iraq's foreign creditors to develop a multilateral response to Iraq's foreign debt incurred by Saddam Hussein's regime.

SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize or otherwise speak to the use of United States Armed Forces (except as provided in section 4(a)(2)) in carrying out this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.

And before you point out Section 8, Brian, that's what the 2002 Iraq Resolution addressed -- it put the final piece in place that was missing from the above document.

Note, also, how many of the "excuses" George W. Bush allegedly hyped or made up were cited in this measure passed two years before he became president.

J.

JT, the Iraq Liberation Act... (Below threshold)
Eric:

JT, the Iraq Liberation Act was passed in January 1998 and Bush took office in January 2001 so it's more like three years.

Kathleen Wiley, a dedicated... (Below threshold)
WildWillie:

Kathleen Wiley, a dedicated donor to the democratic party and voluteer for the Clinton white house was sexually assaulted by Billy and the left says she is lying. Juanita Broderick, a long time democratic operative says the Billy raped her, the left says she is lying.

The lefts ability to spot liars is non existant. The pathetic person in this post is McClellend. The man has no integrity. ww

Why is everyone so worked u... (Below threshold)
sam:

Why is everyone so worked up about McClennan? His book basically shows that he is man of limited intelligence. If McClennan had an original thought or idea, his brain couldn't handle it

Is there anything in his book that has not been said on MSNBC or on DailyKos in the last 6 years? It is just a compilation of the lunatic left's musings of the last 6-7 years. His book is nothing but the publication arm of George Soros buying another traitor.

Thank you Sam. ... (Below threshold)
ODA315:

Thank you Sam.

Yes, U.S. foreign policy ov... (Below threshold)
Herman:

Yes, U.S. foreign policy over the past decades has been to press for Democracy in Iraq. Heck, U.S. policy has been to press for Democracy ANYWHERE it does not exist! But we're not going to be invading Burma now, are we guys???

What Mr. Tea, Cirby, Scrapiron and the rest fail to point out is obvious: the war was not sold on spreading Democracy nor on nation-building, it was sold on the premise THAT SADDAM DEFINITELY HAD WMD, AND PRESENTED A GATHERING, INDEED, IMMINENT (per Ari Fleischer) THREAT!!!! That is to say, to the EVERLASTING SHAME OF REPUBLICANS, THE WAR WAS SOLD ON LIES.

Now when the truth is again revealed for all to see, the conservatives look away.

And don't even think, conservatives, about claiming that this agency or that person had proclaimed (most often YEARS earlier) that Saddam had nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. How many of these weapons were found by the UN Weapons Inspectors, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR THE DAMN THINGS JUST BEFORE BUSH INVADED???? Give us a nice round number, conservatives. Hint: very round. So after the invasion, how many did Mr. Kay and Mr. Duelfer find? Hint: see previous hint.

"There are miserable creatures like you [McClellan] in every administration who don't have the guts to speak up or quit if there are disagreements with the boss or colleagues" -- Bob Dole

Rather harsh words from the former senator. But hey, at least Scottie eventually saw the light, spoke up, and crept out of Dick Cheney's "dark side," unlike all those dwindling, contemptibly pathetic Republican Bush Toadies. History will judge them far, FAR more harshly.

Brian, a little advice f... (Below threshold)
Brian:

Brian, a little advice for you:
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

Thanks for the advice, Jay. I especially appreciate how you didn't just stop at offering it, but then you continued on to demonstrate yourself what it looks like when you don't follow it.

And before you point out Section 8, Brian,

LOL! So in other words, "here's something to prove you wrong, but before you point out that it does nothing of the sort..."

Scrappy's point was that "the invasion of Iraq ... was set in stone", and to defend him you cite an act that goes out of its way to explicitly declare that that is not is purpose. Well done.

that's what the 2002 Iraq Resolution addressed

And Scraps also said, "The invasion of Iraq ... was approved/mandated by congress and signed by Slick Willie". Hmm, who was president in 2002, Jay?

Really, Jay. Have you nothing better to do on a Saturday morning than try to untwist the words delusional words of someone who does not hesitate to spew whatever false angry nonsense happens to cross his mind?

Guys, most of you are too d... (Below threshold)
jvo:

Guys, most of you are too dumb to realize it, but Brian has consistently handed you your asses.

I think a basic logic course would help you first realize how appalling bad your reason has been, secondly and may even sow the seeds of improvement.

As Colbert says, i... (Below threshold)
jvo:

As Colbert says,

it's amazing he thinks these are revelations, did he write it himself or list chunks, from

richard clark's book

george Tentets book

Brehmenr's book


Luckily for Bush a study was done on conservatives that demonstrates none of them are smart enough to change there minds http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/09/study-pits-libe.html
no matter what the evidence put before them So rest assured they will, spin rationalize and attack all those who heroically try to bring them into the reality based community.

You lefties can whine all y... (Below threshold)
WildWillie:

You lefties can whine all you want and twist your stories but you do not own the facts. The war with Iraq started in 1991 and a cease fire was proclaimed for as long as Saddam obeyed the rules of the cease fire. (like JT's post above proves) democrats do not follow rules if it gets in their way. I remember quite a few highly ranked democrats saying Saddam had WMD as well as a number of countries AND the UN. So, again, the lefty loons live in the alternate universe where things are the opposite of what they say. ww

"as well as a number of cou... (Below threshold)
Herman:

"as well as a number of countries AND the UN." --
WildWillie

Complete rubbish. WildWillie, after around 4 months of searching, the UN Weapons Inspectors found no chemical weapons, no biological weapons, and no nuclear weapons (not even the "reconstituted" ones that Dick Cheney lied about).

Get that? Got that? Good.

But before finishing up the inspectors had to leave, because the George "I-Love-to-Read-about-Pet Goats-when-the -country's-Under-Attack" Bush was going to invade. So later on, the U.S. conducted its own search, AND AGAIN FOUND NOTHING. No surprise there.

***********
jwo, thanks for the link.

[McClellan]He is a... (Below threshold)
Eneils Bailey:

[McClellan]

He is a man of unforgettable character and absolute repulsive personal charm.

How can you profess to be the spokesperson for the POTUS, and then admit to your misgivings because you did not have enough balls hanging between your legs to express your feelings.

He is a coward, a person to be welcomed for a short stay in the Democrat Party and press. Then they will pitch him in the garbage pail of past opportune politics.

A person like this; how can you have a soul, self-respect, and a mirror in your house?

"But hey, at least Scott... (Below threshold)
Oyster:

"But hey, at least Scottie eventually saw the light, spoke up, and crept out of Dick Cheney's "dark side," unlike all those dwindling, contemptibly pathetic Republican Bush Toadies."

You lefties always were prone to giving praise to traitorous types, eh?

I think Marc said it best when talking about some books on a previous thread:

I could care less about books written as "political tell-alls" no matter what side of the aisle they come from. They have been in the past, and will continue to be an utter waste of time.

That's the same reason I never read any of the "tell all" books about Bill Clinton.

The most astonishing common thread in them is the authors, right or left, were always somehow above the fray, they were an island in a sea of insanity, greed and downright evil. They were without any agenda politically, socially or militarily and are giving the reader a full account and unbiased view.

Right.

You libs are so superior wh... (Below threshold)
lowmal:

You libs are so superior when it comes to intellectual maturity:


Qoute:

George "I-Love-to-Read-about-Pet Goats-when-the -country's-Under-Attack" Bush

:unqoute

Just can't compete with a guy like you, Herman.

Bravo, you freaking dolt..

"Just can't compete with a ... (Below threshold)
Herman:

"Just can't compete with a guy like you, Herman.-- lowmal

Agreed. You'll lose every time.

JFO - "Wow...getting go... (Below threshold)
marc:

JFO - "Wow...getting gob smacked by a 90 yo dyspeptic right winger. Ouch!!
That'll teach you sonny."

Were you as full of sarcasm each and every time the near octogenarian Ted Kennedy has given Bush the smackdown?

Somehow I doubt it.

"Luckily for Bush a study w... (Below threshold)
LaMedusa:

"Luckily for Bush a study was done on conservatives that demonstrates none of them are smart enough to change there minds"

jvo, please explain what a study on the cortex of 43 college students, with an example on flexibility when using a driving detour, has to do with overall intelligence. Please also explain what that study has to do with the motives behind the slander of the current administration during election season?

McClellan could have not only gotten a different job than the one he wrote about, he wrote about misgivings he had while he was a trusted employee but never spoke to his collegues about it.

Ryan - "I'm supposed to... (Below threshold)
marc:

Ryan - "I'm supposed to believe some blogger intercepted an email between Bob Dole and Scott McClellan?"

The report has been out for about 24 hours or more.

One would think a distinguished Rep leader of the Party would have released a statement disavowing the email at this point.

Ryan you will be sure to point us all to one when and if it happens correct?

How is any of this unusual?... (Below threshold)
jim2:

How is any of this unusual?

Many would-be authors shop their manuscripts around from publisher to publisher, just as SM did. Many, especially after rejections, are willing to edit their manuscript if that is what it would take to sell it.

Tha