Paul Krugman (NYT): Everything Is Political

[Dudley_DUright]

The agency's analysts find that they are no longer helping to formulate policy; instead, their job is to rationalize decisions that have already been made. And more and more, they find that they are expected to play up evidence, however weak, that seems to support the administration's case, while suppressing evidence that doesn't.

Am I describing the C.I.A.? The E.P.A.? The National Institutes of Health? Actually, I'm talking about the Treasury Department, but the ambiguity is no coincidence. Across the board, the Bush administration has politicized policy analysis. Whether the subject is stem cells or global warming, budget deficits or weapons of mass destruction, government agencies are under intense pressure to say what the White House wants to hear. And the long-term consequences are likely to be dire.

Traditionally the Treasury, like the C.I.A., stands somewhat above the political fray. Externally, it is supposed to provide objective data that Congress and the public can use to evaluate administration proposals. Internally, long-serving Treasury analysts traditionally ride herd on political appointees, warning them when their proposals are ill conceived or irresponsible.

But under the Bush administration the Treasury takes its marching orders from White House political operatives. As The New Republic points out, when John Snow meets with Karl Rove, the meetings take place in Mr. Rove's office.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/opinion/05KRUG.html

[peacetalksforall]

1. Karl Rove's office

Now doesn't that just about say it all?

This is what happens when the people don't care enough and the dictating, imperialistic, best of communists-nazis, corporate-military steals your country on your dime and a spoiler lies to say that there is no difference between Bush and Gore.

Does this mean that the Secretary of the Treasury and all the other Cabinet member positions will be forever demeaned? Of just for as long as Rove is there.

Rove is the man...he's the man the cabal put into place. Partner to Cheney.

[T Roosevelt]

2. Wonder how Russert feels about being duped...

For his June 22 interview with Howard Dean, Tim Russert asked the Treasury Department to prepare examples showing how repealing the Bush tax cuts would affect ordinary families. Presumably Mr. Russert thought Treasury would provide a representative selection — that is, like many in the media, he doesn't yet understand the extent to which Treasury has become an arm of the White House political machine.

[wellst0nev0ter]

4. Oh, Is That The Same Tim Russert Who Was Off About 65,000 Troops

In his June 8 Meet The Whore interview with Condi Rice, but went absolutely ape shit when Dr. Dean was off by about 10,000 two weeks later?

What he said.

(info provided by the indefatigable Billmon)

[Composed Thinker]

3. I posted this in the GD area

This was truly an awesome editorial: well written, reasonable, and no cheap shots (i.e. "Bush is dumb). Go Krugman! I'd like to see some tool like Don Luskin try to "reveal the lies and distortions" of this Krugman piece.