Giuliani in 2008?

Bernard Kerik is, and has been for a while, Rudy Giuliani's right-hand man. He was his NYC police commissioner, and is now a partner in Giulani's consulting business. We also now know that he is, and has been for a while, a complex man involved in some weird things. Two simultaneous affairs, mob connections....allegations of stalking. Who knows what else...

If Giuliani seriously wants to consider running for President in 2008, this is a huge liability. How can he pick a strong Cabinet if he can't even pick a strong #2 man? There is talk that unless he distances himself from Kerik immediately, he can kiss those aspirations good-bye. That is four years away, yes, but the candidate process will begin sometime in late 2005, meaning he has a year to do it. Don't bet on it.

Bush Gets Another Chance

A few days ago, I praised Bush for nominating Bernard Kerik as the Homeland Security Director. Well, it seems that Kerik withdrew his nomination because of some questions about the immigation status of a housekeeper. I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but they don't really matter.

What matters is that Bush now gets another chance to do screw up, which is something that he does quite well.

I wonder if he would nominate a Democrat from Congress, to further deplete their ranks there. Maybe one from a Blue State that has a Republican governor, who can then appoint a Republican senator as a replacement? Hmmmm......