Judging the Bush gang by the company it keeps

August 16, 2005

I heard from a friend of mine on the Hill that Claude Allen, a White House domestic policy advisor and Bush confidant, was on James Dobson’s radio program the day after the Focus on the Family chief compared stem-cell research to Nazi experiments.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has the right idea here: he’s written to Allen to demand an explanation. Among other things, the senator writes:

It is shocking that the President’s top domestic advisor would participate in such a program after these horrendous remarks by its host. Not only did you participate in the program, but you showered Dr. Dobson with praise, stating “It is such a privilege to be on your program… thank you for your leadership on so many issues that are important to the family and our nation.”

Dr. Dobson deserved not praise, but repudiation, for his malevolent remarks.

What’s more, Lautenberg is demanding a little follow up.

I urge you, as a representative of the President of the United States, to condemn Dr. Dobson’s comments and make clear that the President does not equate embryonic stem cell research with Nazi atrocities. The President must send a strong message to the overwhelming majority of American who support stem cell research that he respects their point of view and does not hold them in the same category as Nazi scientists.

I think this is a terrific letter that works on so many levels.

First, it highlights the far-too-close relationship between the Bush White House and this radical, self-appointed moralist. It’s one thing for Republican leaders to quietly appreciate political support from the extremist wing of its party, but for the president’s top policy advisors to hang out with Dobson and sing his praises is outrageous — and far too common.

Second, if more high-profile Dems raised a fuss over interviews like this one, top officials might hesitate more in accepting invitations from these clowns.

And finally, it helps judge the Bush gang by the company they keep. Claude Allen probably expected there to be no consequences at all for appearing on Dobson’s program — but there should be. If President John Kerry sent Joe Lockhart to appear on Ward Churchill’s radio show (if Churchill had a show), you better believe the right would have some interest in the connection.

The truth is, top Republican officials maintain close ties with a pretty unsavory crew. Rick Santorum is routinely on Pat Robertson’s 700 Club program. Karl Rove is in tight with Jerry Falwell. The White House is apparently sending top staffers to chat with James Dobson, less than 24 hours after he equated his stem-cell research supporters with Nazis.

There ought to come a point when the GOP is embarrassed by these extremists and they stop hanging out in public. And assuming that isn’t going to happen, more Dems should send letters like Lautenberg’s.

Lautenberg is right on. They fly this guy Allen out under the radar screen and hope that no one notices. Well, we noticed…

  • What would Karl Rove do, if the situation were reversed?

    1) Slime the 3rd party (Hollywood elite, traitors). Unlike Karl, we don’t have to fabricate slime: their comments are disgusting enough.

    2) Tell it to the world. Loudly. All together. Repeat. Sure, Dems don’t have the tactical advantages of WH stenography corps or foxy media outlets. But can’t someone at least try?

  • And assuming that isn’t going to happen, more Dems should send letters like Lautenberg’s.

    And every Dem in every election in 2006 and 2008 should bring it up often and early. GOP candidates support Falwell, Robertson and Dobson. Its not about Bush, its about the GOP.

  • Ron Z is correct–and for the record, Republicans didn’t have the bully pulpit for years, and they managed to get into the media all they wanted.

    The trick is to have a cohesive message that is succinct and inflammatory. And then have enough people from enough places say the same thing at the same time. One Senator making a statement is a political move; four Senators, thee Congressmen, a pundit or two and a couple think-tank guys all coming out on the same day with the same message makes it a huge story.

    Of course, when you actually care what you’re saying, or when you’re thoughtful, or when you actually spend part of your day trying to do the People’s business, this type of coordination can be taxing. Current neo-cons seem to avoid these problems quite nicely.

  • if more high-profile Dems raised a fuss over interviews like this one, top officials might hesitate more in accepting invitations from these clowns

    remember we’re dealing with people on the maturity level of 3d graders here. The main (only?) reason they’re appearing on these shows in the first place is solely to appeal to their base (who else has the stomach for it?). The Demos make a squawk and Dobson and his cretin followers and Rove and his cretin followers are just going to chuckle to themselves and say “Heh, heh – got those godless Democrats all riled up – must be doing something right!” and they’ll just schedule more appearances.

  • If more high-profile dems would speak up….
    Yes, if only they would. But they haven’t yet and I for one don’t think they’re going to anytime soon. It’s up to us, the citizens, to yell long and loud that we do NOT accept the behavior coming from the bush camp, that we will NEVER accept it. We have to keep on yelling until we are heard. ANd then we have to do something about it. Protest. Any way we can. Write reems of letters to our representatives demanding that they represent US, and our views. Or vote them out. If the ‘people in power’ from the dem camp would raise their voices that would be great. But it’s up to us to irritate and aggravate and YELL and YELL and keep on yelling. If nothing else someone wwill have to pay attention to say ‘shut the hell up’

  • For God’s sake, would Democrats please stop “urging” Republicans to “repudiate” things? It is idiotic beyond belief. There is no political advantage to making such a demand. If Republicans *do* repudiate the statement/person that is offensive, then presumably they have acted correctly and are off the hook. If they *don’t* repudiate the statement/person then the Democrat looks like a pathetic weenie that can be safely ignored by the GOP and everybody else.

    Ron Z is correct. Tell the world. Attack Dobson until he is an albatross around the neck of the GOP. If they want to collapse under the weight of his carcass, so be it.

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