Cato Institute
by Doug Bandow

11/02/05

The White House seems to breed arrogance. Richard Nixon had his enemies' list. Bill Clinton's personal irresponsibility almost ruined his presidency. Now vice-presidential aide Lewis 'Scooter' Libby has been indicted as a result of his efforts to discredit an administration critic. President George Bush & Co routinely vilify detractors, even conservatives. When previous Bush supporters unexpectedly opposed his nomination of Harriet Miers to the US Supreme Court, administration and Republican Party apparatchiks immediately attacked their critics's motives. That didn't work, so the President's friends threatened to toss conservatives into darkness. The administration has been notable for its policy of punishing, not the architects of its costly failures, but those who, like economic adviser Larry Lindsey and Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki, correctly warn of the consequences. The President does not err; certainly his underlings should not suggest that he does. Nevertheless, for nearly five years, many conservatives backed the administration even as the President trampled their most cherished principles ...

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=5156


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp