Biscuit?

I see that John Cole has commented on Kevin Drum's noticing of a particular line in a Robert Novak article. Kind of cool, huh? - and pretty symbolic of our mutual hobby in general, yes?

Anyway, the sentence:

A footnote: Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, once thought to be in line for the top job at either State or Defense in the second term, is reported to have lost favor at the White House.

has caused Kevin to speculate about why Wolfowitz would be on the outs, his commenters to chime in - and John to snort derisively over how the rumor that Wolfowitz is being passed over for this job is being spun. Tell you truthful, I'm pretty much with John - for a different reason.

Yup, it's because of Bob Novak - he of that silly Plamegate nonscandal (and yes, sorry, I'm sure that I'll get comments that it's not, but that particular incident is history, folks. Accept it and try something else). I've always been of the opinion that Novak's carrying water for the other faction - call 'em paleocons, Bush Senior Republicans, whatever you like - of the GOP that's trying to nudge the Bush Administration (which, you will note, is doing its best to balance both sides)*. The Righties reading this will nod - they have a pretty good idea of the internal tensions existing in the Republican party, not to mention just how severe they are - but this is apparently a constant surprise to those out there who can't imagine the GOP as being a group where an individual faction will struggle for a preeminent spot, while all the time being at least slightly careful to avoid too-open a grudge match with the other factions. You know, like every other stable organization in human history.

Now, if I was Bob I too would probably be tempted to throw out little chunks like the Wolfowitz rumor and see if Democrats will bite - considering the way that they snapped up the Plame thing on essentially his and Wilson's say-so, it seems a natural gambit to make in the Game - but it's not a very nice thing to bring in outsiders on Republican business.

Shorter Moe Lane: Bad Novak. No biscuit!

Moe

*Which started as a typical loopy conspiracy theory, but damned if stuff didn't start making sense when I looked at it from that viewpoint. Which probably says nothing good about my judgement, so I'll try to not start screaming about mind control lasers, fluoridation or the New World Order.

UPDATE: I see that Matt Yglesias is thinking along lines that are not over the far horizon from mine.

Also: hi, Matt! Finally got a blog, see?

Comments

[Slartibartfast]

Never knew Wolfowitz was even in consideration for the top position at State. Not surprised he wasn't the choice. God, but this is a yawner.

[Matthew Stinson]

Nice angle on the story, Moe.

Kevin's commenters like to have it both ways with Wolfowitz. He's the evil madman, he's the idealistic fall guy. They make-a me laugh.

[RDB]

I've never considered Novak to be a conservative of any kind. He plays a caricature of one on TV and writes about politics as if he were an insider but there is very little evidence of anything other than a decent Rolodex and the willingness to be played like a small trout on heavy line.

[Jesurgislac]

Yeah, I mean just because Wolfowitz was so openly and publicly and stupidly wrong about the invasion of Iraq, why assume that he's going to be eased out of Bush & Co? After all, if Bush is prepared to overlook some senior member of his administration committing treason (since after all, all loyal Republicans appear to agree that treason committed by an important Republican is a nonscandal) why worry about mere inefficiency?

And, in any case, it's a nonstarter. After a Democratic win in 2004, even the more efficient members of the Bush administration (and there are a few struggling against the tide) will be out of a job. We may even, finally, find out which one of them committed treason, once Ashcroft isn't running the investigation any more.

[Slartibartfast]

Shorter Jesurgislac:

Since , then .

[Slartibartfast]

Damn HTML. Should have read:

Since [fabricated premise], then [irrelevant conclusion].