"You know, if Bush would stop his self-indulgent stubbornness for half a day...."

[seafan]

Randi Rhodes was discussing this today.


From Steve Clemons at the Washington Note:

Chris Nelson, in his Nelson Report, reveals the flavor of a recent alleged meeting of Bush friends and supporters with the President. It's fascinating to get a sense of where the President is now -- though I have to admit I sometimes feel like I'm in the same place:

The Nelson Report -- 30 April 2007

Sometimes insider gossip seems to confirm what all us outsiders think we're seeing, so, for what it's worth. . .we're hearing that some big money players up from Texas recently paid a visit to their friend in the White House.

The story goes that they got out exactly one question, and the rest of the meeting consisted of The President in an extended whine, a rant, actually, about no one understands him, the critics are all messed up, if only people would see what he's doing things would be OK. . .etc., etc.

This is called a "bunker mentality" and it's not attractive when a friend does it. When the friend is the President of the United States, it can be downright dangerous. Apparently the Texas friends were suitably appalled, hence the story now in circulation.

Its relevance to various current issues is all too obvious, including the fate of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. Ask anyone at or close to the Bank, and you know, just as a professional, that Wolfowitz's effectiveness is finished, no matter what. But there are now other issues in play, assuming you think that the US role in selecting the Bank leadership remains important.

Here's a private comment summing up the entire situation, from a Loyal Reader out in the real world of the Rocky Mountains, who happens to be a lifetime Republican, and a business person. We pass it along, as it is representative of comments we get ALL the time from Republican friends. . .a mixture of hyperbole, irony, and angst. . .and is thus a cautionary tale in itself:

"You know, if Bush would stop his self-indulgent stubbornness for half a day, he could see plain as day that he has an opportunity to retain American control of the World Bank by easing Wolfie out. If he tries to keep Wolfie in that spot, American control could end.

I really wonder whether his failure to distinguish between necessary toughness and catastrophically shoot-ourselves-(America)-in-our-foot pigheadedness results from biological anomaly. His inability to harvest experience, and so to think and form successful judgments, is just so inexplicable."

.....

Why is this impostor still occupying our White House?

[niyad]

1. and I keep wondering WHY it is so important that america control the WORLD bank, as though it were,

somehow, our god-given right.

[ccpup]

2. I agree with you,

although, as it is right now, the World Bank gives America the job of choosing President because we own the most shares (16.4%, I think). If they insist on keeping Wolfie in, Europe may just have it's way and do away with that rule once and for all. It's not like we have the cleanest financial house, you know, and "Old Europe" is becoming increasingly unimpressed.

[lisa58]

3. Why don't Bush's "friends" go to their repub "friends" in congress...

...and start the impeachment ball rolling?

[Phredicles]

4. ...he wouldn't be him anymore, would he?

Gawd, what a monster...