Former Bush speech writer: Karl Rove had "unchecked power"

[sabra]

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/gop-succumbed-to-unchecked-144314.html

GOP succumbed to unchecked power
By Matt Latimer

<snip>

Every administration politicizes hiring to a degree, but some in the Bush administration went beyond the pale. Much is known about the political firings of U.S. attorneys and the party-line enforcers who removed or intimidated qualified personnel at the Justice Department. Less well known is what happened outside Justice.

For nearly three years at the Defense Department, I saw young, inexperienced political operatives enjoy nearly unrestrained power. Like schoolyard bullies who picked on people because they could, these operatives pursued personal vendettas, blocked hirings, delayed promotions and pressured high-ranking officials.

...

When Rumsfeld prepared to go higher, top Rove aides — including a future U.S. attorney — tried to intimidate Pentagon officials who were encouraging Rumsfeld’s effort. Even Rumsfeld’s chief of staff asked me to help persuade the secretary to stop pushing personnel issues.

...

All this happened, I am convinced, not out of criminal intent but something far more mundane: the temptations of unchecked power.

After the 2004 election, Rove was given a far-reaching portfolio — overseeing political affairs, policy and personnel. His operation went on a power trip — and was ineffective at advancing conservative ideals.

After Rove took over policy chores, the administration passed no significant conservative legislation through a Republican Congress. Within 24 months the GOP lost the House, the Senate, a majority of governorships and the presidency.

...

Matt Latimer was deputy director of speechwriting for President George W. Bush and senior speechwriter for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He is the author of “Speech-Less: Tales of a White House Survivor.”

[Arkana]

1. "UNNNNNLIMMMITED POWWAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

*shoots Force Lightning from fingertips*

[Posteritatis]

2. Mental.. image.. winning! (nt)

[annabanana]

3. We knew this, of course. . But it's nice to see it out there

from a B*sh insider.

[ThePantaloon.com]

4. Nice to see the truth

It's nice to see the evidence trickle out, showing what Dems suspected for a long time: Bush as arrogant and ignorant leader who had no respect for the rule of law, Cheney as puppetmaster, and Rove as "thinker." An ugly GOP Cerberus destined for Hades.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. It's the power. The power of... the... Turdblossom. (they knew something stunk!)

[n2doc]

6. But.. he wasn't a "Czar" so that makes it ok

:sarcasm:

[DCKit]

7. All hat and no cattle.

They didn't even have a roadmap or an agenda beyond amassing and consolidating power. The history of Rome (and every other empire in history) on fast-forward.

They created or built nothing of substance while wreaking havoc on every other aspect of our Democracy. No other Administration has as many negatives to count as a legacy.

Worst Resident EVER.

[gratuitous]

8. Matt Latimer: Assiduously locking the stable door

Oh well, I guess you can't expect someone to give up a plum job in the center of the power universe just because the country's being shoved down the poop chute to Hell. It's not like he swore an oath to defend and protect the Constitution. Nice to see that he can cash in on his cowardice for the titillation of the masses.

Wasn't that America somethin' to see in its day?