Politics | 12/30/2008 8:00 am

Vanity Fair Article, Former Staffers, Skewer Bush White House, Compare Prez to Palin

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

We’ve heard a number of people be compared to Sarah Palin (Caroline Kennedy ring a bell?) of late, but George Bush?

At least one former top Bush administration aide is making that exact comparison in a scathing oral history of the Bush White House, told by various former members of the White House and others, published in the February issue of Vanity Fair.

Larry Wilkerson, a top aide and chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, told the magazine that with national security gurus Vice President Dick Cheney, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice on board, there was a perception they were promoted as a "dream team" of sorts that could guide Bush.

Wilkerson added:

It allowed everybody to believe that this Sarah Palin-like president — because, let’s face it, that’s what he was — was going to be protected by this national-security elite, tested in the cauldrons of fire. What in effect happened was that a very astute, probably the most astute, bureaucratic entrepreneur I’ve ever run into in my life became the vice president of the United States … [Cheney] he began to manipulate things from that point on, knowing that he was going to be able to convince this guy to pick him, knowing that he was then going to be able to wade into the vacuums that existed around George Bush — personality vacuum, character vacuum, details vacuum, experience vacuum.

Former Bush counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke told the mag that he was told not to give Bush a lot of reading material because he’s "not a big reader."

"Well, s- - -, I mean, the president of the United States is not a big reader?" Clarke said in disbelief.

Even German Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher weighed in, saying:

We thought we were going back to the old days of Bush 41. And ironically enough Rumsfeld, but even more Cheney, together with Powell, were seen as indications that the young president, who was not used to the outside world, who didn’t travel very much, who didn’t seem to be very experienced, would be embedded into these Bush 41 guys. Their foreign-policy skills were extremely good and strongly admired. So we were not very concerned.

Click here to read the entire Vanity Fair article, which also talks about the 2000 ballot recount in Florida, Iraq, the housing mess and other topics.

46 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

“Former Bush counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke told the mag that he was told not to give Bush a lot of reading material because he’s “not a big reader.” “Well, s- - -, I mean, the president of the United States is not a big reader?” Clarke said in disbelief.” Says it all about George.

By f p on 12/30/2008 8:51 am

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I will read the article, but I believe that much of what is being said here was also told in “The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008” by Bob Woodward. This is a man who refused to watch or read news reports. Wasn’t even interested in seeing the Katrina reports and had to be told to survey the area by plane. This was a White House ruled by Conservative philosophy rather than realism. A president who still believed the economy was sound til the bubble burst. A president who turned his back to the terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan to wage his own personal war. I do not think we will be reading very positive reports from other insiders of this administration in the years to come. When the Republicans turned their back on McCain in 2000 for this man, that was the beginning of Conservative principles vs. common sense. Even now Republicans are clinging to these principles rather than come to 21st Century terms that things have to change. The world is not the same. We must start protecting the environment and looking to alternative energy sources, we no longer can allow the greed of big business to run amok and deregulated, and we must look for peaceful solutions.

By Brooklyn Gal on 12/30/2008 9:06 am

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President Bush came into the White House as the son of a President. He seemed okay in the beginning … not reading newspapers was not a good sign. After 9/11 it went all down hill. He lost the confidence of the American People. Media has a big part to play in this. We heard a lot about his Texas ranch; his girls being drunk; oh yeah his brother Jeb; his being kept out of combat, his way of speaking incorrectly. I think all of this bad press made President Bush nervous and when the President is or even Looks nervous, well, how can the American people trust a Pres. who looks like one of those little dogs who shake all the time? It just went down hill for Bush really fast. Palin is different .. she came on to the seen Green as green can be and whatever the public thinks her mistakes are are probably because she was not prepared and by being prepared I mean she lacked Washington D.C. experience. You just cannot prepare in 1 month more or less. It is something lived. I kind of feel bad for President Bush now. I do not want to see him in the history books as a dumb ox. After all he was our President for 8 years. History must look at all the positive things he did. BUT I am glad I am not responsible for writing his history. ha ha :-). …. Just glad we are moving on to a new President. Take care my friends and a Happy New Year.

By Tenacious Tenacious on 12/30/2008 9:49 am

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Tenacious — What did you hear about his brother Jeb? I’d be interested in what you heard. I live in Florida and Jeb Bush was our Governor for two terms. He was well respected by many. In fact, IMO, he was the best Governor this state has had in the 35 years I’ve lived here. At the present time he is thinking about running for the Senate to replace Mel Martinez who is retiring. And, indications are that he would win. Just interested in what you meant by that remark.

By Lady Gator on 12/30/2008 12:41 pm

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Yes, Lady Gator. Jeb Bush is a great, great man, a hero. It was just a weird co-inky-dink that it was Florida, the state that George Bush’s brother Jeb governed, that suddenly had such a big problem with counting their votes that it ended up having to stop the re-count, just as George was down to only 325 votes in his favor—so that the Supreme Court could unlawfully declare George president—-by one vote in favor on the Supreme Court. Constitutional scholars say it was unlawful for the Supreme Court to have had any say at all in stopping Florida’s re-count because each state’s highest court, by law, has total & complete jurisdiction over their own elections & by law the federal govt cannot interfere. And Florida’s highest court had ordered a re-count. If the federal govt could just step in to any state election & make it come out THEIR way—we would not have democracy. Oh yea, I forgot, that is exactly what they did. We don’t have democracy.

By Char Star on 12/30/2008 2:08 pm

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Char —-In the first place I wasn’t aware that I had responded to you. My post was to Tennacious! You are beating a really dead horse! There will always be opposing views on Bush/Gore election! Lay it at the feet of the Supreme Court — they made their ruling. It’s over —it’s done — a long time ago. Agree or disagree. And, about the Federal Gvt stepping in — it looks like they can, not only, make elections come out their way, but everything else also! Pretty soon, if we continue on the path to bail-out city, etc. —the Federal Gvt will have EVERYTHING going there way! I said this a long time ago — the Federal Gvt doesn’t give a d—- about our democracy! Anyway, thanks for your post!

By Lady Gator on 12/30/2008 3:22 pm

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You didn’t respond to me, Lady. I decided to respond to your post in praise of Jeb Bush. The subject of Jeb Bush is not dead. The Republicans are thinking of running him for pres. It’s unbelievable that any American who is conscious does not care that Bush stole the presidency & thus robbed most Americans of their civil right to vote for their president & have their vote counted. It’s un-American & twisted to want it swept under the rug. After all, Lady, many of our soldiers have given their lives, the ultimate sacrifice, in many a war just to secure our rights in this country—the same rights that George & Jeb Bush trashed! Don’t ever be flippant about our rights in this country again. “Opposing views” my ass. If we do not insist upon getting the rights guaranteed to us by our Constitution in every situation, especially blatant breaches like the crap Jeb & George pulled on America, we don’t deserve to be called Americans nor keep those rights. The fact that this country is full of people like you—who are flippant & dismissive when being denied our Constitutional rights by criminals & want only to forget it—that’s the reason these criiminals have been allowed to get away with what they’ve done! If everyone had gotten angry &assertive& told their rep to refuse to accept this—all over America—they couldn’t have gotten away with it so easily. We layed down like sheep—George & Jeb must have shared a good laugh at how easy it was—a phone call here, a phone call there. Our democracy went down without one shot being fired…….without hardly a peep……pitiful.

By Char Star on 12/30/2008 4:17 pm

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Char Star ——- “The Republicans are thinking about running him for President” — IMO, I doubt that the Republicans will run Jeb Bush for President in the forseeable future. It would be sheer insanity on their part at the present time to do so. I’m sure there are others they are considering. However, since I’m not a Republican nor am I a Republican Insider, I could be wrong in that statement! “It’s Un-American and twisted to want it swept under the rug”. Apparently, the Supreme Court of the United States decided the course of opinion for the matter. Have you read their decision? And, I wasn’t one of the sheep you mention — I wrote a letter to the” Supremes” giving MY opinion of THEIR opinion. Perhaps some of the sheep you mention should have done so also. To say I didn’t care is a total falsehood on your part. “Many of our soldiers have given their lives to secure our rights in this country” — You bet they have —and, for your right to spew your self-righteous indignation at me. Don’t tell me about soldiers and what they’ve sacrificed. I’ve lived it all my life. My father during WW2 - was wounded and received a Medal of Honor. Now to Korea — my best friends brother was KIA — on to Vietnam. My husband was a Navy Pilot — his plane was shot down and he was severly wounded. He spent a year in a hospital recovering. One hell of a year in our lives. So I know a little bit about young men and women “giving their all” for our rights. In one of the few times I saw my husband cry was when he saw how we left Vietnam — his response was “We gave our all and look where we had to end it all”. “The fact that this country is full of people like you -who are flippant and dismissive when being denied our Constitutional rights” What a crock!! Who in the hell do you think you are? I have written every Congressman - E-mailed Senators - signed every petition - I hope you had the guts to do the same. I’m still doing it today. You can call me a bitch, you can call me any other nasty, uncalled for name in the book — but don’t you ever tell me that I don’t care and that I’m un-American. Just live it sometime!!!!! If my husband can forget and go on with his life — which he has — I think I can get over a few things that, somehow don’t seem quite as large in the scheme of things. I can honestly say, that for a time it pulled at his soul. Thank God we came through our lives together and whole! And, if you haven’t made a New Year’s Resolution —I’ll make one for you — “I Char Char will not respond to anything from Lady Gator on this site because she’s Un-American and has a differing opinion from mine.: - End of Resolution. Hope you have a Happy New Year!

By Lady Gator on 12/31/2008 1:23 pm

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“Who the hell do I think I am” you say Lady? I’m someone who knows Jeb Bush is a rat bastard the same as his brother George. YOU, on the other hand, “admire” him! I do not beleive you wrote a letter to the Supreme Court protesting their interference in Florida’s presidential election—simply because you casually praise Jeb Bush—like you have no clue what happened. If you were indignant enough to write a letter—then why are you unaware that Jeb Bush is part of the rip off of America that happened in his state—with HIS brother running for pres? It doesn’t make sense. That’s what made me want to correct your glowing opinion of him. Your post was flippant & dismissive of the entire stealing of the election—you said It’s over its done forget it. It IS un-American & twisted to want to ignore what happened—only a shallow person, one who “admires” Jeb Bush, for instance, would think that way. Jeb Bush was part of it Lady. Jeb Bush was heavily involved in stealing the presidency for his brother! I get Repub sites in my mail box just so I can keep on top of what they’re saying—& Jeb is being considered. It’s a shame you had to drag the sacrifice your family members made to guarantee our rights into this to defend yourself—because you sure did not do their sacrifices justice with that flippant & dismissive post! No way. Maybe you’ll learn to think more deeply before you type on here—or before you do anything for that matter.

By Char Star on 12/31/2008 2:33 pm

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Char — “Maybe you’ll learn to think more deeply before you type on here - or before you do anything for that matter” Spoken like a fifth grader! Or maybe you’re not as smart as a fifth grader! Just remember the Resolution I made for you! End of our conversations.

By Lady Gator on 12/31/2008 2:55 pm

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I’m smarter than you are, Lady. Your original post to me was disrespectful. That was a mistake. First, you pretended I have no right to respond to you unless you speak to me first. Another mistake. Then you attempted to blow off what I said, instead of responding to the issues I brought up like a normal person.. It sounds like you’re very afraid I’ll go after every shallow, illogical thought you express & expose it.. I don’t know if I have the time..,.we’ll see.

By Char Star on 12/31/2008 5:56 pm

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Lady Gator - I did not hear anything about Jeb. I am glad to hear from you that Jeb Bush was good for Florida. It is just that when President Bush first became president there was all this “oh yea, now we have a 2nd Bush in the White House and Jeb over in Florida … yadda yadda yadda… ” ya know? I really do not know how President Bush remained in the White House for 8 years !!! But, I am really feeling sad about the way President Bush is leaving. Am I making any sense to you, if not, email me back.

By Tenacious Tenacious on 12/30/2008 4:59 pm

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Tenacious —- Yeah, I know what you mean. And, just because Jeb Bush MAY run for Senator from Florida does NOT mean he will run for President. I happen to appreciate the way Jeb Bush governed this state. And, during all the Hurricanes we had in one year — he had this state ready for any emergency. I admire him for that. Apparently, there were other people who felt the same way. He is well regarded in this state. And, unless there is FACT that Jeb helped W. become President —you know I checked the facts regarding the 2000 election — it was interesting to read all the information. I thought one part interesting in that — yes, the Florida Supreme Court did ask for a re-count — Gore thought he would win that fight as there were no Republicans, at the time, on the Florida Supreme Court — however, the Florida Supreme Court (all Democrats) could never come to a conclusion except that the time limit in the State of Florida, for a recount, had run out and, that law in itself , was there reason to pass. I googled “Florida Supreme Court election 2000 Bush Gore”. Again, it was interesting to go back and look at all that went on at that time. I totally agree with you, I don’t know how President Bush remained in the White House for 8 years!! And, I totally agree with you in that I am also sad about the way President Bush is leaving. Yes, you are making sense. Thank you for responding. Have a Happy New Year! Many blessings for the coming year!

By Lady Gator on 12/31/2008 10:28 am

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Lady, it says something that a woman could have lived in Florida for 8 yrs & still be ignorant of the lawsuit filed in US District Court in Miami in Jan 2001 by the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, People for the American Way Foundation, & other voters who were denied their right to vote in the 2000 presidential election in Florida.—it was against Jeb Bush & they won too!. The defendants were Jeb Bush, governor of Florida, Katherine Harris, Sec of State in Florida (& she was Bushs’ campaign manager in Florida too at the time), other Florida officials & a Georgia firm called Choicepoint, Inc. The charges were that in the months leading up to the presidential election in Nov 2000, Jeb Bush ordered local election supervisors to use a Georgia firm called Choicepoint, Inc, to purge felons from the voter roles who were not allowed to vote by law in Florida. The problem was at least 90.2% on this “scrub list” were innocent! More than half—54%—were Black or Hispanic. This electoral racial pogram, ordered & carried out by Jeb Bush operatives, GAVE THE WHITEHOUSE TO HIS OLDER BROTHER George. Choicepoint scrubbed every name that was even close in spelling to the real felons so that many legitimate voters went to the polls on election day in Florida but were not allowed to vote—91,000 VOTERS TO BE EXACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. The court found in favor of the NAACP & ORDERED Jeb Bush & Katherine Harris’s successor (since she was gone by then) to put all the legitimate voters back on the voter rolls—of course, the electon was over by then. How can ANYONE with a brain not find it very incriminating all by itself, with no court case, just common sense—-that the state that gave George the presidency just HAPPENED TO BE JEB’S STATE—HIS BROTHER? DUH! Harvard Law Professor Christopher Edley, Jr., studied the “spoiled” ballots also (“spoiled” meaning those that had written in the name “Gore” instead of checking the box, for instance, or those that had a smeared black mark on them etc) & he reported 14.4% of black votes—or 1 in 7—were “invalidated”—i.e. never counted. By contrast, only 1.6% of non-black voters’ ballots were “spoiled”. Florida’s electorate is 11% African-American. Florida refused to count 179,855 “spoiled” ballots, therefore, 54% or 91,000 or so votes spoiled were cast by blacks, of whom more than 90% chose Gore. So if Harris & Jeb had allowed the counting of these votes—-Gore would have had a plurality of 87,000 in Florida—-which is 162 times Bush’s official margin of victory there, when the Supreme Court illegally stepped in & stopped the vote because Bush was steadily losing votes as the count went on, which the Florida High Court had ordered——Bush won the presidency by a measly 537 votes. This can be googled by entering NAACP, Jeb Bush, Pres election etc Its all there. This article was in The Nation Magazine, a respected, award winning mag—it ran in the May 17, 2004 edition—as it did in Jet & other places—but of course, NOT the mainstream media! You have to listen to independent news to know what is really going down, instead of blithely watching corporate ads disguised as news on main stream media & think you’re getting the truth. You’re not—you’re their sucker. .

By Char Star on 12/31/2008 7:40 pm