Clarke, Again

Richard Clarke is back at it again, this time exercising his self-appointed absolute moral authority over a new GOP commercial showing the Twin Towers coming down:

“But what is more disturbing is their brazen use of imagery and the memory of 9/11 to score political points. Thousands of Americans tragically died that day, and for the GOP to think it can win elections by denigrating their memory is disgraceful.”

OK, we could go through the littany of reasons why this guy is a partisan, such as when he seemed to agree with Keith Olbermann that Bush lied us into war. We could point to his kiss and tell book before the 2004 election deriding Bush for not connecting dots and focusing on Saddam, a clear effort to help get John Kerry elected (whom he was working for along with Joe Wilson). Or we could make reference to the movie deal with Redford, which the studios apparently backed off from last year due to the glut of anti-Bush war flicks. But that's way too much effort.

He's right about one thing though--despite their sharing the truth on Obama's haphazard approach to the 9/11 perpetrators the GOP's strategy is feckless and misguided. Do they not understand that the Dems have worked tirelessly since the WMDs weren't found to tarnish Bush/Cheney's accomplishments in fighting terror to the point that the new focus is torture not actual terrorists? The only socially acceptable politicization of the GWoT is demanding truth commissions--failing to connect dots is so 2003. And images of the smoldering towers can still inflict pain as evidenced by Obama's recent buzzing of lower Manhattan with an F16 and 747-200. They're better off laying low and filling the quiver for next year. The Dems will do what they always do if given enough time.

Others: GM's Place