Horserace
May 30, 2008 12:29 PM

Dole Calls McClellan "Miserable Creature"

In an email obtained by Politico, former GOP senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole harshly criticizes former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan for keeping quiet while serving in the Bush Administration only to write a money-making book critical of the administration once he had left.

"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. "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."

"No doubt you will 'clean up' as the liberal anti-Bush press will promote your belated concerns with wild enthusiasm," Dole added. "When the money starts rolling in you should donate it to a worthy cause, something like, 'Biting The Hand That Fed Me.' 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"

Dole's spokesman confirmed that the email is authentic.

The 1996 Republican nominee wrote that McClellan should have spoken up at the time if he had concerns about the administration, writing that doing so "would have taken integrity and courage."

Concludes Dole: "You’re a hot ticket now but don’t you, deep down, feel like a total ingrate?"
Tags:
Republicans ,
bob dole ,
Scott McClellan
Topics:
Republicans
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by mattcat25 May 30, 2008 12:44 PM PDT
It appears very consistent that all the Republicans are falling into line by attacking McClellan personally instead of addressing the issues brought forth by the actions of this Administration.

War, Corruption, Deaths and Destruction are the character of this Republican Party. And, in regards to one of their own close working Bush cabinet members, look at just who is calling the kettle black.
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by starleo146 May 30, 2008 1:10 PM PDT
Bob Dole you have a nerve to insult Mc Clellan when he did the right thing by admitting how wrong he was and wanted to make it right. You and so may republicans such as your wife and others put party before country every durn time look at this mess we are in and you call Mc Clellan a cad I think you have dimentia
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by boatdocster May 30, 2008 1:10 PM PDT
Mattcat25

Absolutely. The NEOCON GOP Nazi''s are calling McClellan every name under the sun, but not one of them has disputed the substance of his book.

What does that lead us to?

It''s OK to start war, to lie, to cheat, to spend trillions on your buddies and big companies PROVIDED you stay a loyal GOP person and keep your secrets to the grave.

A very sad state of affairs... What would the GOP know about integrity or courage?
Reply to this comment
by jack3213 May 30, 2008 1:11 PM PDT
The character of the Democratic Party one of just as many or more lies- if you had a choice between crediblity and experiance vs empty promises and scams who would you pick? A politican is a poiltician just with a differant face, don''t forget that.
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by libh8er May 30, 2008 1:12 PM PDT
Good for you, Bob. You said it like it needed to be said.
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by memekiller May 30, 2008 1:13 PM PDT
This is the first time I''ve ever heard the idea floated that it is the duty of the PRESS SECRETARY to air their differences with the Administration they serve. You could make a case that Powell allowed his reputation to be sacrificed to sell bad policy and could have done more by resigning, but the press secretary? They''re hired flacks. You don''t expect them to critique the Administration any more than you expect someone pulling a salary for doing PR for Exxon to criticize the company''s global warming denial. If you can''t live with it, quit.

I CAN think of other professions where it WOULD be their responsibility to ask these questions.
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by libh8er May 30, 2008 1:14 PM PDT
but not one of them has disputed the substance of his book.
Posted by boatdocster at 01:10 PM : May 30, 2008

That''s because there ISN''T ANY! But if you want to buy it and go sit in the bathroom and make the pages stick together, be my guest. I know it really gets foaming at the mouth libs really ''worked up''.
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by shingles1 May 30, 2008 1:16 PM PDT
This supposedly private email was clearly intended for public consumption...as evinced by the fact that Dole hits ALL of the talking points that the Administration has been putting out there. Whether or not Dole''s critique is right or wrong, it''s still part of the whole orchestrated campaign to go after McClennan. And to pretend otherwise is just deceitful on the part of the press.
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by shingles1 May 30, 2008 1:17 PM PDT
I CAN think of other professions where it WOULD be their responsibility to ask these questions. Posted by Memekiller

Bloggers?
Surely not the stenographers we call "journalists".
Reply to this comment
by shingles1 May 30, 2008 1:24 PM PDT
I guess the new whiney wingnut "defense" against pretty much everything they don''t like is:
"IS NOT! Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah!"
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by haoli25 May 30, 2008 1:25 PM PDT
Bob Dole says,"Bob Dole thinks McClellan is a miserable creature that needs Viagra."
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by dgbg-2009 May 30, 2008 1:25 PM PDT
This proves that NOT electing Dole President of the United States was a good decision! This miserable piece of *** marches lock step with the Republi-Cons who believe that party loyalty or loyalty to a facist president trumps revealing the truth! The miserable creature is Bob Dole, not Scott McClellan!
Reply to this comment
by undermyboot May 30, 2008 1:26 PM PDT
Typical Bushie-think: Loyalty over country. This is what they believe. This is their only "Principle".
Reply to this comment
by shingles1 May 30, 2008 1:26 PM PDT
bswalker12, tell me, what exactly has McClennan fabricated? If he''s a "fabricator", then clearly he has said something that is not true. What would this be?
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by almostalive May 30, 2008 1:28 PM PDT
This is GOP 101: attack the messenger, ignore the message. This out of hand party will soon go the way of the whigs.
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 May 30, 2008 1:33 PM PDT
osama
obama
yo'''' momma
it''''s all the same
Posted by bswalker12 at 01:30 PM : May 30, 2008

don''t talk about my mamma!
Reply to this comment
by timdgrim May 30, 2008 1:33 PM PDT
Don''t pay attention to Bob Dole.
He''s just a Pi**ed off old viagra pitchman. He needs something to have to with Elizabeth Dole....YUUUCCCKK!
Reply to this comment
by pvperson May 30, 2008 1:33 PM PDT
The truth hurts, doesn''t it neo-cons?

I thought Dole was dead.
Reply to this comment
by glassnorth May 30, 2008 1:35 PM PDT
McClellan confirmed what we all felt was happening: we were lied to and the road to invading Iraq was made to seem inevitable. It was nothing less than shocking to see the lead up to war. McClellan may be turning his back on his old bosses but the rest of us just see this as a confirmation that we were right: Bush Lied and lead us to the worst debacle in U.S. history.

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by citizenusa-2009 May 30, 2008 1:35 PM PDT
These politicians must think we are brain dead. WE KNOW that had McClennan come out or "complained" 2 years agom, he would have suffered consequences beyond belief. Bush and Cheney have had unparralled power and they have no problem using it. Scotts book is only THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. I hope the members of this "Administration" are shaking in their boots.
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by libh8er May 30, 2008 1:39 PM PDT
thats pretty bad mcclellan when your only sympethisers you have won''''t/can''''t trust you. Posted by bswalker12 at 01:18 PM : May 30, 2008

He''ll be cindy sheehaned by next week.
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 May 30, 2008 1:39 PM PDT
BS Stalker12, Yo mamma was so dumb, she needed a price check ant the .99 cent store!
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 May 30, 2008 1:39 PM PDT
I will be happy to use my savings to attend the war crimes trials of Bush, Cheney, Rice and the rest of those thugs...I''m sure I''ll have quite a few disabled Vets sitting next to me. Thank you Scott, for publishing what we "peons" in the "bloggisfere" have been saying for YEARS..speaking of that, the Repubs snort and snicker when the refer to the blogs...those dumb a.s.s.e.s. have not yet figured out that we represent the VOTERS in this country. WE ARE THE PEOPLE!!!!
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 May 30, 2008 1:41 PM PDT
Bob Dole is an old gas bag that needs to ****!
Reply to this comment
by ljb6599 May 30, 2008 1:42 PM PDT
Another reason to not like the Republican party of the 21st century.George W.Bush and those like him(Dole) have made this country the most angry,bitter,and divided country since the Civil War
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by pvperson May 30, 2008 1:42 PM PDT
Notice how FEW neo-cons are calling McClellan a liar? They''re upset because he''s speaking out, not over what he''s saying.
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by jerr11 May 30, 2008 1:43 PM PDT
This from the guy who sold vi@gra on TV!

Talk about cashing in!

The neocons believe that party come first, before country!

It''s what we call treason!

Scott McClellan is a man of conscience.

The rest of the neocons who have made billions from their sham war in Iraq are TRAITORS to the country!

Dole, shut the fvck up and go take some more vi@gra.


Reply to this comment
by superdem May 30, 2008 1:43 PM PDT
Don''t forget Dole was Majority Leader in the Senate when the Republicans held power there - he was always a vicious, partisan attack dog. You notice he has not one bad word to say about Bush or his Administration. Only McClellan, who is telling the truth. Victory at any cost is Dole''s motto, too. At least McClellan has a conscience, he knows he stood up there mouthing their lies to the American people, and it bothers him. It doesn''t bother any of the others, the lies, the betrayal of a covert CIA agent, the terrible unnecessary Iraq war with 4,084 dead Americans. McClellan is confirming what we already knew, and what the Bushies have repeatedly denied, so they have been lying to us routinely since they got into office. I want to hear McClellan under oath testifying to Waxman''s committee - then we''ll get Karl Rove up there under oath and watch HIM tapdance. We should get some prosecutions out of that.
Reply to this comment
by zorar-2009 May 30, 2008 1:44 PM PDT
Bob Dole needs to take a chill pill
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 May 30, 2008 1:48 PM PDT
Wasn''t Rove that guy in Deliverance who "Had a purtee mouth?"
Reply to this comment
by o_nolan1 May 30, 2008 1:48 PM PDT
Dole, Bush, Cheney. All profiteers and liars.
Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 May 30, 2008 1:49 PM PDT
I WOULD VOTE HIM IN FOR PRESIDENT..SOMEONE LEFT HIS SICKENING JOB,IT WAS KILLING HIM AT THE END TO LIE TO AMERICANS, THATS WHY HE RESIGN!!! BUSH AND COMPANY NEVER SAW IT COMMING..AND IF HE''S LIEING LET''S SEE THE WHITEHOUSE SUE HIM FOR SLANDER!!!! IF THEY DONT KILL HIM BEFORE HE GO''S IN FROUNT OF CONGRESS FIRST..HURD IT HERE FIRST. DAVID A BELANGER,VETERAN, for-america@hotmail.com
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by aldon61 May 30, 2008 1:51 PM PDT
When people react like the Republicans have to this book, it''s usually because a nerve has been struck. This is the 2nd day, and other than personnal attacks on McClellan, no one has disputed the material in the book. I just hope that other past members of this corrupt administration come forward; how about it Mr. Powell?
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by zorar-2009 May 30, 2008 1:54 PM PDT
Dole Calls McClellan "Miserable Creature"...Democrats are treated by republicans better than that..not very Christian like for Dole!
2000 years ago Plato was correct
McClellan Left the Cave..Dole has not!

In Plato''s famous cave analogy, the inside of the cave represents the depraved human condition. Those inside the cave are passive, unreflective. They live in darkness and conformity.

It is only through abstract thinking that we may escape the cave, gain access to philosophical insight, and self-liberation.

Leaving the cave, then, is synonymous with attaining enlightenment and truth.

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by itaks007 May 30, 2008 1:54 PM PDT
It is frustrating trying to keep up with constant spin and diversionary tactics from the real issues by politicians whom are suppose to represent the best interest of our Nation.
Elected officials have a duty to our country and the people that elect them first not to other elected officials.
McClellan did the right thing, and if politicians did the right thing they would not have to fear someone writing a book about their doings.
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by luvny-2009 May 30, 2008 1:54 PM PDT
Oh yeah speak up..yeah right. Everyone that did was thrown out or told they were UNPATRIOTIC! All we ever heard was if you don''t like it leave. I got so sick of hearing that. Dole your a jerk and I use to like you. Take your wife and go somewhere warm will ya. BTW your wife is nothing more than a rep place holder in NC. She could care less about NC and oh yeah where does she live?
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by leftyintexas May 30, 2008 1:56 PM PDT
Dole, you old RepubliCON gas bag, go back to what to you do best...selling Viagra.
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 May 30, 2008 1:58 PM PDT
Bush, Cheney, Rice, Parrino, etc. are SHOCKED that someone would DARE be critical of their deeds. They''ve seemed to forget the "Administration" is not supposed to be a "Secret Society"! This is supposed to be AMERICA THE FREE GOVERNED FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE! HELLO????
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by marcosis78 May 30, 2008 1:59 PM PDT
Wow, those out of touch republicans REALLY support the worst president to date till the very end don''t they? Like Dole has any leverage to say anything. Republicans should just sit down and take whatever verbal beating given to them, because however much it is, its not enough. People are afraid of the president so they dont say anything, so when they arent employed by him, then they can say whatever they want. dur!
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by aldon61 May 30, 2008 2:00 PM PDT
leftyintexas: What part of the state do you live in?
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by idnnsg May 30, 2008 2:02 PM PDT
Funny how the republican "golden boys" all turn into "miserable creatures" over time!

The truth is, all the rats with any intelligence are jumping ship. Bush and Cheney (and so many more) will be tried for their international war crimes. Whoever else is left with them in the end will be subject to the same fate.
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by zorar-2009 May 30, 2008 2:02 PM PDT
Plato:
Imagine several prisoners who have been chained up in a cave for all of their lives. They have never been outside the cave. They face a wall in the cave and they can never look at the entrance of the cave. Sometimes animals, birds, people, or other objects pass by the entrance of the cave casting a shadow on the wall inside the cave. The prisoners see the shadows on the wall and mistakenly view the shadows as reality.

One man breaks free from his chains & runs out of the cave. For the first time, he sees the real world & now knows that it is far beyond the shadows he had been seeing. He sees real birds and animals, not just shadows of birds & animals.



This man is excited about what he sees and he goes back to his fellow prisoners in the cave to tell them about the real world. But to his astonishment, they don%u2019t believe him. In fact, they are angry with him. They say the shadows are reality and that the escaped prisoner is crazy for saying otherwise.



POINT OF THE CAVE ANALOGY: According to Plato, the world outside the cave represents the world of forms while the shadows on the wall represent objects in the physical world. The escape of the prisoner represents philosophical enlightenment and the realization that forms are the true reality. Most people are like the prisoners in the cave. They think the shadows are reality. Philosophers, though, are like the man who escapes the cave and sees the real world. They have true knowledge.
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by o_nolan1 May 30, 2008 2:03 PM PDT
Leaving the cave, then, is synonymous with attaining enlightenment and truth.


Posted by zorar

Except when one has given up trying to remove Bin Laden from his cave!
Reply to this comment
by aldon61 May 30, 2008 2:04 PM PDT
This administration will produce many criminal indictments when George II''s reign is over. Unless, of course, President Obama pardons them!
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by b-easy63 May 30, 2008 2:04 PM PDT
Typical Bushie-think: Loyalty over country. This is what they believe. This is their only "Principle".

Posted by UnderMyBoot at 01:26 PM : May 30, 2008


Oh I don''t know... the way some folks defend HRc''s lies and antics, I''d say it was typical Hillary supporter -think too. LOL
Reply to this comment
by shingles1 May 30, 2008 2:06 PM PDT
Hilzoy:
I can only hope that some of the people who once defended this administration are open-minded enough to notice how many erstwhile members of the Bush administration have come out with memoirs saying essentially the same thing, and how the administration trots out essentially the same talking points against all of them. You''d think that if so many ex-White House people were "disgruntled former employees", that might raise questions about whether something in the White House had given them cause to be disgruntled. And you might wonder why, if all of them had somehow gone insane or been eaten up by bitterness or were trying for massive book payments, they all came out with the same set of criticisms.
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by gopack443 May 30, 2008 2:06 PM PDT
I thought making money is the American way. So what if he had to become honest (we think) to do it.
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by b-easy63 May 30, 2008 2:09 PM PDT
They think the shadows are reality. Philosophers, though, are like the man who escapes the cave and sees the real world. They have true knowledge.

Posted by zorar at 02:02 PM : May 30, 2008


The only flaw in your analogy is this: you never know if the way you see a bird is the way that real bird looks to someone else--besides the gradations of color-blindness humans have, we also view texture, and other features differently. The fact that most philosophers realize is that reality is not an absolute--it is an illusion. Reality is a complex illusion tempered by perception and since each person''s perception is different, then reality is always a compromise based on consensus.

In other words, the bird in reality, is not that much different than the bird that is a shadow--except in the world of reality. In the world of the cave, THAT version IS the reality and if they live and die in the cave...then only their version matters anyway. This is the essence of philosophy--that one can ponder away, but that depending which way one angles a fact or idea or reality--one will always view it differently.
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by b-easy63 May 30, 2008 2:12 PM PDT
Leaving the cave, then, is synonymous with attaining enlightenment and truth.


Posted by zorar


No, leaving the cave is akin to changing one''s version of reality by altering perception. Such a reality would change yet again, if one could see beyond the physical bird''s exterior and examine as an amalgamation of matter, atoms and electrons and protons. And yet again if one was to examine it from another dimension. There is no reality--just our consensus and agreement that what we see is what all others should see--but what we see is not always the only thing that is there. We always think we have attained enlightenment--but progression always shows us that for every layer of the onion skin we peel back, there are thousands of layers left that we have not yet begun to contemplate.
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by petesis May 30, 2008 2:14 PM PDT
I am disappointed in Dole. He seems to think ungratefulness is a worse crime than speaking out. I guess loyalty to Bush should have trumped McClellans conscience eh Bob? I thought it was pretty classless when you cashed in on your apparent impotence to sell Viagra. I guess I was right.
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