"A Man of No Talent Whatsoever"

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:52am

No, not Michael John LaChiusa. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.



Snippet:

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His standing as a national figure has been undercut by his performance in some high-profile situations, notably his moves a year ago to prod Congress to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case in Florida. Almost every issue he tackles is shaped by presidential politics, as he stakes out his own position while he distinguishes himself from potential rivals for the 2008 Republican nomination. They include members of the very caucus Mr. Frist oversees, like Senator John McCain.

"The Schiavo event was just one of a half-dozen events last year that painted Frist as a frustrated leader," said Scott Reed, a Republican strategist who said he had not signed on with any 2008 candidate. The immigration bill, Mr. Reed said, "is shaping up to be Frist's last hurrah with conservative primary voters. He really needs to deliver if he's going to look at exploring a presidential race."...

But other Republicans say that by forcing the Senate to consider his own immigration bill before the one backed by Mr. McCain, Mr. Frist is putting presidential ambitions ahead of Senate business. The Democratic leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, openly dismissed Mr. Frist as a lame duck, and Charlie Cook, an independent political analyst, in an interview derided the Senate leader as a neophyte.

"The most classic case of the Peter Principle I've ever seen in American politics," Mr. Cook said, in an uncharacteristically brutal assessment. "In a business where eloquence and rhetoric is important, he is a man of no talent whatsoever."
Frist Is Treading a Perilous Path Leading to 2008

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:04pm

lobbyist friends of mine told me shortly after he was elevated that he was easily the stupidest person ever to be majority leader -- and that this was a widely held opinion on both sides.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:12pm

I love the double swipe at Frist AND La Chiusa!

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:13pm

I rather enjoyed that too doodle.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:18pm

Well, I'd never compare LaChiusa to Frist as I will always have a special place in my heart for his version of "the Wild Party."
That said, nothing Frist has done is anything better than a "Dance of the Vampires."

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:24pm

Queenie was an A-hole!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:48pm

anyone who's ever seen or heard the man speak knows his potential for the white house is somewhat below my own. frist is being used by the right to push their agenda because he foolishly thinks that it'll get him grassroots support come primary time. evidently he's never seen himself speak. he'll do their dirty work but he'll be lucky if he gets a cabinet job out of it. i doubt even that. he just doesn't seem even remotely human.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:51pm

Here's my shocking prediction:

Frist will finish in the top 3 08 presidential noms.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 1:01pm

no way. maccain, allen and romney (huckabee'd be 4, but with that name? sorry, pal) would be my out on a limb, two years away top 3.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 1:22pm

Giuliani, and Rice would also finish ahead of Frist.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 2:13pm

that's assuming rice will run and i really don't think she will. actually i think he and giuliani would end up rather close. these are the primaries and the gop's been in power too long for the base to be very pragmatic. they'll look at giuliani's positions on social issues and mayor of america or not he'll fall fast.