The White House said yesterday that its check into Mr. Kerik's past had actually been more extensive than officials had indicated earlier. Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, said that the review had gone on for weeks before Mr. Bush nominated Mr. Kerik....
There were also indications that Mr. Kerik may have been under consideration for the job of homeland security secretary as early as the summer. A former city official said Mr. Kerik went to Washington twice in August to meet with White House officials about his views on domestic security.
There were reports that Bush settled on Kerik because of Kerik's "tough guy" demeanor, and that Bush had swept aside any warnings about Kerik's background as negative press coverage, the kind he, too, despises. So now we see Bush's "man-date" in action. A "vigorous vetting process" means nothing if the President says "That's my guy." Being President means always saying: "Damn the press torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"
Having come to grief so quickly, is our President learning? We'll just have to wait and see.....
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