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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Like mother, like McClellan
While the tone of Scott McClellan’s book has been widely described as surprisingly harsh, it bears some resemblance to another high profile figure who broke with Republican loyalists two and a half years ago.
That would be McClellan’s mother, Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
Strayhorn, having previously been a Democrat, was the Republican state comptroller in 2006 when she formally left the Republican Party to run for governor as an independent. Her decision wasn’t a surprise at the time because she had used her state platform for years to launch attacks on Republican Gov. Rick Perry.
Here’s what she told the San Antonio Express-News in January 2006, just after she announced she would run as an independent: “I have known for several years that something is really going on in this state, and that we were off track.”
And here’s one excerpt posted online from McClellan’s new book about his time in the Bush White House: “No single decision caused the wheels to come off the Bush White House. But the way we went about executing the decision to go to war — from making the case to the public to inadequately planning and preparing for its aftermath as we rushed into it — sent us badly off track.”
When Strayhorn left the Republican Party, former GOP state chairman George Strake Jr. told the Austin American-Statesman that she “had abandoned the principles of the Republican Party that had welcomed her with open arms.”
The state party went even further, saying Strayhorn had enjoyed a one-night stand with the GOP.
Similarly, former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said on NBC’s Today show Thursday, “Scott’s about to borrow some friends on the political left for 24 hours who will throw him out as soon as they’re done with him and he’s burnt an awful lot of bridges with people who always thought fondly and highly of him.”
Strayhorn finished a distant third in that 2006 run for governor and is now said to be mulling a run for mayor of Austin. McClellan was not particularly visible in her gubernatorial race, but he was one of her most influential advisers behind the scenes.
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Clinton livin’ la vida loca with Martin endorsement
Some pundits have suggested New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is crazy to continue her presidential bid with almost no chance of overtaking Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer.
Even so, Clinton definitely is “livin’ la vida loca” as the Democratic campaign turns to the really deep South for the upcoming presidential primary in Puerto Rico.
The proof is her endorsement from Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin, the five-time Grammy winner best known for his 1999 smash hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
In a statement Thursday, Martin noted that Clinton, as the senator from New York, represents millions of Latinos and “has always been consistent in her commitment with the needs of the Latino community.”
Martin’s signature song, by the way, was not among those in the contest Clinton held for voters to choose the senator’s campaign song. Nor was one of his best known follow-up hits: “She Bangs.”
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Barack’s medical report
He’s smoked and had a rash or two, but Barack Obama’s doctor says the Illinois senator is fit to be president.
Here’s the letter, released today by the Obama campaign, from Dr. David L. Scheiner of Chicago:
To whom it may concern:
I am David L. Scheiner, a board certified general internist licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. I am on staff at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Rush University Medical Center. I have been Senator Barack Obama’s primary care physician since March 23, 1987. The following is a summary of his medical records for the past 21 years.
During that period of time, Senator Obama has been in excellent health. He has been seen regularly for medical checkups and various minor problems such as upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and minor injuries.
His family history is pertinent for his mother’s death from ovarian cancer and grandfather who died of prostate cancer. His own history included intermittent cigarette smoking. He has quit this practice on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success.
Senator Obama’s last medical checkup was on January 15, 2007; he had no complaints. He exercised regularly often jogging three miles. His diet was balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids. A complete review of systems was unremarkable. On physical examination, his blood pressure was 90/60 and pulse 60/minute. His build was lean and muscular with no excess body fat. His physical examination was completely normal.
Laboratory studies included triglycerides of 44(normal under 150), cholesterol 173 (normal under 200), HDL 68 (normal over 40), and LDL 96 (normal under 130). Chem 24, urinalysis and CBC were normal, PSA was 0.6, very good. An EKG was normal.
In short, his examination showed him to be in excellent health. Senator Barack Obama is in overall good physical and mental health needed to maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President.
Sincerely, David L. Scheiner, M.D.
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White House photographers provided pictures for McClellan book
A few current White House staffers contributed to ex-Press Secretary Scott McClellan’s new book - “What Happened” - that is under heavy fire from his former colleagues.
The photos on the front and back were provided by Eric Draper, the official White House photographer. Draper and several other White House photogs also provided pictures for the eight pages of photos inside.
Among the family photos included is the one above showing little Scotty “getting an early political lesson at age four by participating in a mock election Mom held for neighborhood kids in our front yard in 1972.”
To date, McClellan has not written a book explaining what happened in that election.
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McClellan: The Book Tour
Perhaps you’ve heard that ex-White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has a new book out. And that means the book tour is underway - and it will wrap up with a stop in his hometown of Austin.
Here’s the sked:
June 4 - New York, 92nd Street Y, 8 p.m. June 10 - Washington, Politics and Prose book store, 7 p.m. June 17 - San Diego, City Club, time to be determined. June 18 - San Francisco, Commonwealth Club, noon. June 21 - Austin, Book People, 3 p.m.
And here’s the sked for his TV/radio appearances, which began this morning on “Today” and continues this evening on “Countdown with Keith Olberman.”
Friday - CNN’s “The Situation Room.” June 2 - CNN’s “American Morning” and Comedy Central’s “Daily Show.” June 3 - NPR’s “Fresh Air.” June 11 - NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”
