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The Spectacle Blog
I have to confess that former New Hampshire Governor and later Chief of Staff for President George H.W. Bush has never been amongst my favorite Republicans.
A quarter century ago, Sununu was the only Governor in the Union who refused to sign a proclamation calling for the UN General Assembly’s infamous “Zionism is Racism” resolution to be rescinded. At the time, Sununu said he didn’t sign because he believed it was wrong for Governors to make pronouncements on foreign policy. However, Sununu did issue proclamations on, amongst other foreign matters, Cuba, Afghanistan and also condemned Israel for its accidental attack on the U.S.S. Liberty during the Six Day War in a proclamation honoring its veterans. Nevertheless, the “Zionism is Racism” resolution was rescinded by the Bush Administration while Sununu was still serving under him in the White House.
That history notwithstanding, I have to say I am liking John Sununu more and more each day. He has been, by far, the most effective surrogate for Mitt Romney with his take no prisoners approach with liberal media figures like CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, Andrea Mitchell from the network formerly known as MSNBC as well as Juan Williams from Fox News.
This morning, during a conference call with reporters, Sununu addressed Obama Deputy Campaign Manager Stephanie Cutter’s remarks last week alleging Romney had committed a felony. Sununu said of President Obama, “If you introduce the word ‘felon’ into the political discourse, you open yourself up again to the discussion of the Chicago roots and the Chicago politcal-slash-felon environment that he came out of.” For good measure, Sununu also called President Obama’s Elizabeth Warren impersonation “the latest in a series of self-defining and frankly extremely dumb statements.” He then suggested that Obama “learn how to be an American.” Sununu was on a roll.
In my latest article, I argue that Obama has abandoned all pretensions of civility and has issued himself and his campaign a civility waiver:
Stephanie Cutter is right about one thing. Mitt Romney can’t whine. All he can do is fight back more assertively and more forcefully. If Obama hits Romney then Romney has to hit back ten times harder. Romney will also have to go on the offensive. When they do hit back or launch an attack of their own, look for the Obama campaign to bemoan Mitt Romney’s lack of civility. After all, Romney isn’t eligible for Obama’s civility waivers.
So now that Sununu has hit back ten times harder, the Obama campaign is saying the Romney campaign is “going off the deep end.” On the contrary, Sununu was merely following Ms. Cutter’s advice and now the Obama campaign is getting a taste of their own medicine and they don’t like it.
Should Romney win in November, this would surely earn Sununu a return to the White House - if he so desires. Assuming that he does, it isn’t inconceivable that Romney would appoint him Chief of Staff. After all, it probably wouldn’t do Romney any harm to have an old hand on hand. That is provided that Romney is able to keep Sununu a safe distance away from matters in the Middle East.
UPDATE: Sununu has since apologized for saying that Obama should “learn how to be an American.” Don’t hold your breath for Stephanie Cutter to do the same for claiming Mitt Romney has committed a felony. This is what happens when liberals and conservatives are held to different standards and are subjected to different rules.
View all comments (12) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/07/17/i-like-john-sununu-more-more-e
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RJ| 7.17.12 @ 6:14PM
The attack on the U.S.S. Liberty was not an accident. As for Sununu, he is doing well as a spokesman for Romney. So well, that the media may stop broadcasting his statements soon.
Occam's Tool| 7.18.12 @ 11:44AM
The attack on the Liberty was lead by the only Israeli pilot to miss the reactor at Osirak. Excellent at air-to-air, but an idiot on diplomatic and bombing issues.
RJ| 7.18.12 @ 2:35PM
The air attack came first and was followed up with a naval attack by torpedo boats. At the time, Israeli claimed that it mistook the Liberty for an Egyptian ship. The claim stretches credulity. The US wasn't as closely allied to Israel in those days and it seems reasonable that they didn't want a US surveillance ship picking up their battle communications (if I remember correctly the thought was that Israel was concerned about the US intercepting Israel's movements into the Golan Heights). - Of course given Obama's treatment of Israel today, no one should expect Israel to give the US any advanced notice of any actions to be taken against Iran.
In any event, for what it is worth, I recall Mike Wallace making an off-handed comment years later that Moshe Dayan admitted that he gave the order to attack the Liberty. 34 dead crewmen and well over 100 injured on what was basically an unarmed ship. Captain McGonagle was award the Congressional Medal of Honor for his conduct under fire.
Bob K| 7.17.12 @ 7:12PM
For those interested in the snide comments by the author about Sununu it is probably because he is of Palestinian Descent. His father was raised in Jerusalem and both he and his son are Maronite Catholics.
Certainly it will be critical for Romney to keep him as far away from the Near East as possible in order to keep Aaron happy. But if Romney doesn't start talking about Obama like Sununu is he won't be in the White House to do anything in the Near East that might peeve Aaron.
Lets hope that Sununu isn't related to George Habash!
Occam's Tool| 7.18.12 @ 11:45AM
Not snide---HW was/is no friend of Israel. But he did, at least, have a sense of decency.
Maxwell| 7.17.12 @ 9:02PM
RJ & Bob K, well, I learn something new every day. As for Sununu, I am glad someone, ANYONE, has the stones to say just what Mitt should be saying. It is about time someone call out the turkey in chief. I still cannot believe Mitts crew does not have a few attack dogs that have the stones to put a fist down Barry's throat.
Cobalt| 7.17.12 @ 9:03PM
John Sununu is very intelligent. He is also experienced in how both state and federal governments operate.
However, Sununu has some leftover baggage from his time with President George H. W. Bush.
Still he seems to have hit his stride, and is most effective of late, when he fearlessly uses his verbal skills to pound on the liberal opposition.
Donald Trump should observe Sununu to see how a pro does it.
Crassus| 7.17.12 @ 10:18PM
Sununu was always feisty when he co-starred on "Crossfire" back in the 90's. He gave many a liberal phony a rough ride. He wasn't as ideological or dogmatic as Pat Buchanan on the show but he was much better at cutting through the B.S. spewed by liberals. Nice to see that he's re-emerged without losing any of his former feistiness. Mittenz should be thankful.
ejp| 7.17.12 @ 11:59PM
Sununu can never do enough penance for pushing David Souter for the Supreme Court.
RJ| 7.18.12 @ 12:44AM
I will second that comment.
Occam's Tool| 7.18.12 @ 11:46AM
Sununu can never do enough penance for pushing David Souter for the Supreme Court, or letting HW raise taxes.
RJ| 7.18.12 @ 3:24PM
And after all these years 41 remains angry at Newt Gingrich for being the only one who tried to stop him from raising tax rates. 41 got his legislative deal and it didn't work, at least according to its stated purposes. It represented the undoing of his presidency. I expected more from him. He did not represent the interests of limited government conservatives. He was given the mantle of the Reagan Revolution and walked away from it.