The Skunks

Chas Freeman, the man bounced out of a nomination to Obama's National Intelligence Council, is quoted in the Times' Sunday rumination about why Obama hasn't changed the Middle East yet, leaving this sidelong quip:

“You can’t really tell anything by what happened to me and the fact that he didn’t step forward to take on the skunks,” he said, referring to his own appointment controversy and Mr. Obama’s silence amid critics’ attacks.

So, who exactly are these skunks? He didn't specify, but the so-called Israeli lobby was his loudest detractor, including the likes of Senator Schumer:

"His statements against Israel were way over the top and severely out of step with the administration," said Senator Chuck Schumer in a statement. "I repeatedly urged the White House to reject him, and I am glad they did the right thing."

If he would use a term like "skunks" to describe those who voiced protest at this nomination then it appears Obama made the right call to maintain silence over his departure.