David Frum, former speech writer for President George W. Bush ("Did a heck of a job, Frummie!"), former contributing editor to National Review, founder of the website NewMajority.com (How's that working out for ya, Davey? That's some majority you've got there.) has once again felt the urgent need to speak out.
And what's eating him now? Join me below the fold.
First, a stop at the Wayback Machine. In an instance of pure political theater, Frum appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show on October 14, 2008. in what may be the worst political calculation since John McCain declared the fundamentals of our economy sound, Frum seized on the opportunity to accuse Rachel of contributing to the "low" level of political discourse. Frum, you see, holds humor and sarcasm in low regard, and objected to Rachel's tone, demeanor and outlook. It made for riveting television. I sat transfixed by The Nasty Little Man. He who must be obeyed declared her responsible for the dismal state of contemporary politics, this as he sniveled, grimaced, and squirmed his way through an interview that proved Rachel Maddow is one of the best minds on TV.
So now we know who we're dealing with, and the kind of ambush, gotcha politics he practices.
Fast forward to today. Asked by CNN's Carol Costello to comment on the difference between POTUS 43 and POTUS 44, The Nasty Little Man offered these thoughts:
Well, stylistically, it's the difference between a smooth, creamy and delicious caramel and a spicy jalapeno pepper swallowed whole. Barack Obama goes down easily. President Bush (sic) tends to bring a little of sneeze to the nose and tears to the eye.
But on substance, Barack Obama did not achieve very much on the trip. And we're all being very polite saying the president didn't get everything he wanted, he got a little bit more help. In fact, he got nothing that he wanted.
Need more?
His (Obama's) humility is not so much self-criticism, it's criticism of George Bush.
Really?
What was I thinking? I must have seen totally different TV coverage and read completely different accounts of Obama's meetings with leaders of the G-20 and NATO, his visits to Strasbourg and Prague, his groundbreaking trip to Turkey and address to its Parliament.
No, The Nasty Little Man knows otherwise. Through his warped prism, he sees an ineffective leader at the mercy of "cosmopolitan" European presidents and prime ministers. He's watching an endless loop of the Bush presidency: inarticulate, insubstantial, insensitive and most importantly, so yesterday.
He's having adjustment issues and finding it difficult to cope with a president who is analytical, purposeful, intense and diplomatic.
And maybe, most importantly, he's not a Nasty Little Man. Time for your squash game and medication, David Frum.