Dole to McClellan: You're a 'miserable creature'

[sabra]

Source: CNN

(CNN) – Bob Dole is furious with Scott McClellan's public criticisms of the Bush administration, telling the former White House Press Secretary in an e-mail Thursday he is a "miserable creature" who is "spurred on by greed."

"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 the personal e-mail. "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."

Dole spokesman Michael Marshall confirmed the authenticity of the e-mail, first reported by Politico and obtained by CNN.

...

"When the money starts rolling in you should donate it to a worthy cause, something like, 'Biting The Hand That Fed Me,'" he wrote. "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."

...

"You're a hot ticket now but don't you, deep down, feel like a total ingrate?"

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/30/dole-calls-mcclellan-a-miserable-creature/

[fascisthunter]

1. No Dole... you Are. And His Actions Make you More Miserable

which is very telling yet not surprising....

[Sundoggy]

6. Moserbale? The former VP candidate? n/t

[fascisthunter]

8. Thanks for Correcting... and Yes, Bob Dole the Idiot Hack

[fascisthunter]

15. BTW - so what if Dole was a former VP Candidate

when did Dole become trustworthy and innoculated from criticism? I don't need to like either, and I do know how upset this is to the right wing. They too want to MARGINALIZE Scottie so that his message gets killed. Try not to help them.

[Virginia Dare]

51. He's the most credible guy they've got..

since Gerry Ford is dead. Pretty pathetic.

[fascisthunter]

65. That is Pretty Pathetic

How anyone can believe people like Dole blows me away, but I do know.... ideology blinds folks. If a politician agrees with your point of view, he automatically becomes more "trustworthy" than the rest.

[nichomachus]

2. Holy smoke! Is Dole still alive? Who knew?

Then, who was the old codger they buried? Oh -- Gerry Ford, whatever.

[Lerkfish]

3. I see they resurrected ol' VIagra

[Sundoggy]

4. Spot on

Dole's criticism isn't, as we might suspect at first, primarily about the truth or falsity of McLellan's book, it's the same criticism WE level at him. What on Earth kind of excuse can he come up with for not being a man about it and quitting when it might have done some good?

Dole nailed it on this one.

[Virginia Dare]

9. Why judge him on what he did in the past..

it's what he's doing in the present that is important. Have you ever been in a situation where you were so wrapped up in what was happening at the time, that you didn't gain perspective on it until later? How many of us haven't done some soul searching about past actions and tried to set them right?

Personally, I have no problem with Scotty making a buck to two off exposing this administration's lies. Why shouldn't he?

[Mike Daniels]

13. Because he made a buck or two peddling the lies in the first place

Why should he profit again?

[Virginia Dare]

50. If he's making the money at the expense of Bushco..

then I've got no problem. I'm as cynical as the next person, but I really think the guy is coming clean. I have not idea what his motivation is, it could very well be pure greed, but for now, he gives the appearance of trying to do the right thing.

[WindRiverMan]

70. I see your point, i.e. do not beat someone up for their past

if they are trying to change their future.

Unfortunately, I am far too jaded with all of these WASP Cosa Nostra waanabees, and believe deep down that while he is telling the truth, and he knows it was wrong, he really does not give a shit. He just wants to sell books and have a nice vacation home in Aspen.

[shraby]

22. Enjoy your stay, it may prove to be short.

:hi:

[Sundoggy]

35. I beg your pardon?

What did I say that was even debatable? if Scotty had spoken up years ago, it could have done some good. He's a hero because he FINALLY gets around to this? Please.

By the way, my take on this is pretty much the same tone MANY liberal bloggers are taking. You should get out more.

[Paladin]

69. You And Those "MANY Liberal Bloggers" Are Wrong

Yes, it would have been a lot more valuable for McClellan to have gone public before now. But his going public at this point has tied this administration in the kind of painful, publicly-viewable knots they've had coming for a long, long time. Instead of making common cause with an old right wing fossil like Bob Dole, you ought to be rejoicing with the rest of us.....

[yardwork]

40. Sundoggy has posted numerous excellent posts - reread the post, it's a good point.

I don't mind the fact that Republicans are turning on one another. Don't mind it at all. Meanwhile, Dole's wife, Liddy, has certainly benefited from her mindless support of every bushco.

[Sundoggy]

41. I'm not above being a bonehead either...

... but didn't think I was being one THIS time!

Thanks... have a good weekend.

[yardwork]

44. You too!

[Quantess]

23. WE? Speak for yourself.

On the contrary, I am personally forgiving toward Scotty McClellan. I'm one of those bleeding hearts who can forgive a person who shows sincere remorse for their misdeeds.

[54anickel]

29. Bleeding hearts - there were a lot of people here that were already bleeding for

him while he was still doing his job. There were comments here about how you could see the anguish and disgust in his facial expressions toward the end of his career. You could really witness a man wrestling with his conscious if you paid attention to him beyond just his words. He sometimes looked as though he loathed himself, and surely didn't believe half of his own drivel.

I despise the administration that he represented and worked for, but I can't help but feel for the guy. I've known lots of people who hated their jobs, the ethics of their employer and what they were expected to do but held their nose and did it anyway until they could find a way out. Been there myself. Having and loving a family that depends on you for financial support sometimes puts you in a shitty set of circumstances that your first try to excuse or ignore, then you try to justify before you enter into denial. If you're lucky you're unable to deny your self and your personal integrity, wake up to the fact you're living a lie, and work your way out.

The unlucky one's loose themselves, family and loved ones to living the lie. They may live comfortably, but tend to leave a wake of nothing but shit, hatred and destruction in their path.

[Sundoggy]

37. What is your response to the proposition...

...that if he had done this at the time, it could have been the break in the dam of lies we so badly needed?

And why am I being attacked (not by you) for having such an obviously defensible opinion?

[Quantess]

43. Sorry if you feel you're being attacked.

It can happen to the best of us at DU.

Sometimes it all depends on the wording you use. Saying that Bob Dole is spot-on, and making it sound like you're blaming the messenger, are not very persuasive arguments, as you can see. Now, if you had posted this at the beginning "if he had done this at the time, it could have been the break in the dam of lies we so badly needed" then you would have people wanting polite debate, instead of flaming you.
:hi:

[Sundoggy]

46. I guess..

...I should expect that if I'm going to inhabit such a HIGHLY partisan site, but I must admit I like a little more even-handedness. After all. it's not exactly admirable or fair to gasp with indignation when Ted Kennedy is dishonored, then turn around and see post after post ignoring the issue at hand in order to taunt a poor old man for his physical infirmities, like children in a schoolyard, if I may use a completely inappropriate metaphor..

Oops, I was honest again! Gotta watch that. ;)

[Quantess]

57. A lot of the time, it's not what you say but how you say it.

And another thing, I did get taken aback by the "WE" comment, as though you were stating a common consensus on DU. Your opinion on McClellan may be popular, but it's not the official "DU position" or "liberal" position, not by a long shot.

There are actually, very few things that are common consensus on DU. Here's a short list of prerequisites:
1. Despising everything about Bush and the Bush Administration
2. Opposing the Iraq Invasion
3. Wanting a Democrat to win the Presidency
4. Not a fan of either Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly

Everything else is more or less debatable, to varying degrees, depending on the topic. Obviously, you can't be too conservative, but many DUers have moderate attitudes on many issues, and varying nuances about their reasoning. There really is no "DU mentality" as some others have suggested.

And, a lot of people share your dislike of cheap shots and tasteless comments.

[Sundoggy]

58. any "we" I care to be associated with...

...will be wondering the head-bangingly obvious question of: Why Didn't Scotty Say Anything At The Time?

This is a controversial statement??? Not to anyone with half a brain.

For heaven's sake, sorry about the "we" then. Jesus Christ.

[Quantess]

59. I guess I have less than half of a brain, then. Thanks.

DID I SAY it was a "controversial" statement? No, I did NOT. I said, your opinion is "popular". :eyes: Read it again if you have to.

Anyway, I was just trying to be polite, agreeing to disagree, and willing to consider your viewpoint. But it looks as though you're too upset to realize that.

I think I've had enough of this for today.

[yardwork]

39. I don't see that McClellan has shown any particular remorse.

I don't like any of them.

[Quantess]

60. I would argue that "remorse" is in the eye of the jury, (in this case, U.S. American people)

About the Bush Administration, I have often wondered "how do they sleep at night?" and, "how can they live with themselves?"

Well he is one case, to me, that had trouble sleeping at night, and who had trouble with himself. It got so bad, he had to tell the American people that he knows they were lied to, and scream it from the rooftops!....maybe. See, that's my opinion of Scotty McClellan today, but I have not read the book yet.

[nbcouch]

42. "quitting when it might have done some good?"

When would that have been, and how would it have done any good? The press secretary quits, they find a new one the same day, and in fact when Scottie did quit, they replaced him with a far more adept liar (Snow).

No doubt Scottie's motivation has a LOT to do with book sales, but on the other hand there are plenty of folks (e.g. Coulter, O'Reilly) who make a real good living selling books that are filled with lies. Scottie could have gone that route - he could instead have written some sort of BushCo hagiography, which would have sold quite well - but he chose to write the truth (the book by and large corroborates what we have long known or suspected), and for that he deserves some credit.

[JerseygirlCT]

67. I have to agree too

Finally telling some truth, when it benefits him, does not make McClellan into a hero. It makes him into someone who saw an opportunity to try to clean up his own image and make a few bucks at the same time.

None of it wipes clean his offenses at not speaking out when it mattered, or at least quitting when it mattered.

[AngryOldDem]

71. He did, until the "biting the hand that feeds you" part.

True, Scotty could have quit at any point -- and, Dole could have pointed that out without making it sound as if Scotty were merely a disgruntled former employee who should have been grateful for the gig.

[gaspee]

5. Bob and Libby

Thieves and warmongers.

I think Scotty found his conscience - I kinda figured something like this would happen - those last few months in the belly of the beast - he looked *really* uncomfortable.

Too bad people like lil'Scotty think so-called loyalty is more important than truth and justice - he would have come clean years ago.

Here's a question if you *think* you know you value truth over loyalty -- say a close family member - parent... sibling... child - committed a heinous crime - murder, rape, child molestation -- I'm not talking a property crime - I wouldn't turn someone in for that -- but a crime against another person. I would turn them in so fast.

Dole thinks loyalty to Republicans is more important than loyalty to the American people -- typical R-

[BobRossi]

7. Fuck that limp-dick.

Thousands have died due to the policies of his ilk.

[Virginia Dare]

10. The GOP must really be scared to drag Bob Dole out..

now that Gerry Ford is gone, Bob assumes the mantle of "credibility". I guess they couldn't get Colin Powell to do it.

[tularetom]

11. I feel sad for ol Bob

Sounds like he's just about lost it

But then again, if you take all that Viagra and this is what you have to look forward to you might just figure there's nothinleft to live for.

[habitual]

12. popped a viagra and got all excited I see.... n/t

[maddezmom]

33. first thing I thought about was that "Viva Viagra" ad on TV

[Hobarticus]

14. "The E-mail of Dracula", now playing in a theater near you...

:evilgrin:

[johnt66]

16. Who Give a damn

Who the hell is BOB Dole, a use to be and not a very good one at that, here is a man who ran for President, who is saying party is above the country, how dare he, no wonder he didn't win, but also look what we got, when an individual put party and friends above the American people and country,you get this mess we are in now, so BoB Dole can that his BS and go away.

[xxqqqzme]

17. I see dole is as mean & nasty as

he always appeared to me. Suspicion confirmed

[ORDagnabbit]

18. One more person who has called scott names but not a LIAR.

[Kolesar]

26. ^good catch

And Bob Dole is pumping a story that Bush should wish would just go away.

[lark]

27. Interesting

I've heard many Repug responses to McClellan's revelations, but I have yet to hear anyone say that he's a liar. Someone, forget who - Bartlett?, said the allegations were "total crap" - but even that's not technically calling it a lie.

[wryter2000]

19. Good Lord

The Viagra went to his brain.

[uppityperson]

20. "When the money starts rolling in you should donate it to a worthy cause", I agree

This would be a really good thing for scotty to do.

[pattmarty]

21. "Bob Dole is furious"??????? Bob Dole is fucking senile for Christs sake.

This is worse than desperation, first bringing out "old" Bob Dole to say he's furious? And the biggest laugh about this, is who the fuck even remembers Bob Dole?

[MnFats]

24. several right-wing presidents have counted on Dole to be their yapping

lll
lapdog barking out an administration's line.

He rode with Nixon till that damn ship sank and blasted tricky dick's critics, just as today.

he is a $2 –––– of national politics.

[lumpy]

25. They are both miserable creatures along with Colin Powell

and most members of Bush's administration, the Repub congress.

[Bozita]

28. "spurred on by greed"? -- How quickly ol' Bob Dole forgets his shilling for Viagra!

His memory's obviously failing.

[Xipe Totec]

30. Gratitude

[RoseMead]

31. America to Dole: You're still alive? n/t

[LeftyMom]

32. Bob Dole had no idea Bob Dole was still alive.

Bob Dole is very confused.

[LibDemAlways]

34. A has-been politician who took to shilling for

viagra, and he has the nerve to call somebody else out on their "greed." Look in the mirror, moron.

[liberal1973]

36. LoL

No kidding. Both are the same.

[Javaman]

38. The difference is that dole never figured out he could make money

by telling the truth and he's now pissed.

[Bush_MUST_Go]

45. The truth never was a friend of the bush admin. or their enablers/supporters.

[JI7]

61. do you think he would have made more doing that than he has for whoring for Viagra

[Jacobin]

63. He made his money the 'hard' way. Viagra

[OneBlueDotBama]

47. Bobby sure knows what a "miserable creature" is...

No doubt why he keeps his Ipod on full blast, lights out and shades drawn when Liddy is around.

[JenniferJuniper]

48. I honestly thought Dole had passed away

but now I realize I must have been confusing him with some old sitcom actor from the 1950's.

Under what rock did he slither out from?

[ryanmuegge]

49. He should stick to doing Viagra commercials.

[MurrayDelph]

52. Dole then turned to John McCain

and said, "You see, sonny? THAT's how you do old coot!"

[NuttyFluffers]

53. loyalty to party or country, Dole?

i cannot explicitly tell from Dole's message. and that fact is all the more telling.

[oldpol]

54. Dole the 'Hatchet Man' surfaces!

lmao

[LynnTheDem]

55. Coz for Republicans, LYING and SUPPRESSING TRUTH is a GOOD THING!

DISSENT = TREASON, when you're stupid enough to be a republican.

[calimary]

56. Three words for you, bob dole: What. An. Asshole.

So you'd rather have the sneaky-ass White House loyalty mafia and all their treasonous criminality? You'd rather have ALL liars instead of one repentant accessory to the crime, who actually rediscovers his conscience?

Fine.

As I said - What. An. ASSHOLE.

[BlueIris]

62. Welp, guess I don't have any Republicans I like anymore.

Screw you, Bob.

[bronxiteforever]

64. To Bob Dole I say "So"?

[mbperrin]

72. My response exactly!

Dole, don't you have a viagra commercial to make or a run in your socks to do?

[minnesota_liberal]

66. Speaking of miserable creatures...

By either not having the brains to realize what his party has done to our country -or- (realizing it but) not having the guts to speak up, Bob Dole clearly qualifies as a "miserable creature!"

[Delphinus]

68. Holy crap!

That was one *NASTY* email!

[Supersedeas]

73. more of the Republican elite exposed for the foul mouths that they are--substance?

not so much