Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The Cheney hunting curse strikes again

Dick Cheney, speaking last week to one the few true-believer audiences still considered safe for him, the Republican Jewish Coalition Leadership --

Tonight you're paying special tribute to Sam Fox. (Applause.) I've known Sam for many years. He's an entrepreneur, a leader in education and the arts, a patriot, a gentleman -- and also a very courageous man, because he hunts with me. (Laughter.) As a matter of fact, he's even got a nickname in the White House. Before I came here today, the President said, be sure to say hi to "Foxy." (Laughter.)

Well, "Foxy" just got the rug pulled from under him --

WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:

Sam Fox, of Missouri, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belgium, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007.


While within the range of Bush's previous crony nominees to European Ambassadorships, Fox's role in Karl Rove's Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against John Kerry in 2004 made it a crony too far for Senate Democrats. Although not for Senator Joe Lieberman --

Marshall Wittmann, Lieberman's spokesman, said his boss "continues to support Sam Fox's nomination and believes that he would be an excellent ambassador."

It's not clear whether Bush consulted Joe before pulling the plug.

UPDATE 4 APRIL: The Cheney hunting curse followed by the Bush-Cheney pigheadedness -- Fox is appointed to the position during the Easter recess.

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