Advice for Dub: It's better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and dispel all doubt. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, allegedly said that and the current Dumbo in the White House has yet to pay heed. Dub hasn't had a very good year. In 1931, Babe (George H.) Ruth signed a contract with the New York Yankees for $100K. At the time, the President of the United States was paid $75K annually. A reporter yelled, "How does it feel to be making more than President (Herbert) Hoover, Babe?" The Bambino replied, "I guess I had a better year than he did." Most of us have had a better year than Dub has had. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. If only this latest screwup over domestic spying could result in impeachment proceedings, I'd have a Happy New Year! If this is (fair & balanced) anticipation, so be it.
[x Slate]
The War on New Year's: Will 2005 never end?
By Bruce Reed
In With the Old: These days, White House strategists have one thing in common with average Americans: They can't wait to put 2005 behind them. The whole year has been one letdown after another: Katrina, Miers, Abramoff, Iraq, FEMA, Palmeiro. Time magazine had to go all the way to Africa to find Americans who had a good year.
If we're all so eager to move on, why won't the White House let us? This week, Washington is roasting the same chestnuts as last year: ANWR, the Patriot Act, and the three sisters of Bushism—resolve, patience, and hard work.
On Saturday, as he lapsed into another rerun on the Patriot Act, the president offered typical understatement: "The terrorist threat will not expire in two weeks." Translation: If you were looking forward to any new debates next year, forget it—2006 is just a temporary, 12-month extension of 2005.
Never mind the War on Christmas. The War on New Year's will kill us first.
Throughout 2005, President Bush discovered that when he speaks, not much happens. After he spent months crusading for his Social Security plan, the Republican Congress didn't even feel compelled to give it a proper burial. He stood up for Harriet Miers and Michael Brown, only to eat his words a few weeks later.
From the never-ending scandal over 16 words in Bush's 2003 State of the Union to the manhunt for Valerie Plame's leakers, the past year has been a testament to Calvin Coolidge: What you don't say can't hurt you.
Bruce Reed, formerly domestic policy adviser for Bill Clinton, is now president of the Democratic Leadership Council.
Copyright © 2005 Slate
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