Why Bush* never fires anyone in his administration

[keopeli]

I've been wondering about this odd pattern for some time. I think I've finally thought of a good reason for this.

Bush* is a leader who leads by following. He has his closest advisors make the decisions, and then he backs them up. This is a dangerous model to use, as it leaves no cohesion or overall policy direction to guide everyone, but rather allows each branch of government to be its own little kingdom, operating independently of the others. (i.e. compare the State Dept. to the Defense Dept.).

What is appealing about this model to Bush* is that he never has to really make a decision. But, he DOES end up with the blame if something goes wrong. HERE'S THE WRINKLE: The way that Bush* protects himself is by offering uncoditional loyalty to his advisors (I'll never fire you, so just put that thought out of your mind. I will always back up the decisions we make together.) Hence, noone gets fired for 9/11, WMD, and any number of a miriad of other issues.

The way this works out for Bush* is that, when something blows up in his face (i.e. Richard Clarke), he is able to say, "Just do what I tell you to do. Remember, you're not going to get fired. It's just a rough patch." Thus, Condi, though she knows of her errors in the past, feels no accountability for her mistakes. Bush* takes the accountability, and Condi takes the heat. That's how they weather the storm.

As a side note, this is typical practice for the mindset of people who belong to the same Bible Study. As a former minister and former fundamentalist christian, it is so easy to understand how the dynamics of this administration works. Every day you have a bible study (of sorts) where decisions are made and everyone is 'lifted up' to god, ensuring themselves of divine providence and intervention in their choices. This type of dynamic leads easily to overconfidence and closed-loop decision-making processes.

Keo

[madrchsod]

1. good analysis of bush

never really thought about this but your reasoning does make his "management" style understandable.

[fryguy]

2. I can't beleive I'm going to say this....

but, for as much as I'd like to beleive your analysis, the truth is that Presidents just don't fire people very often. Sitting here thinking about it, I can't recall one person Clinton fired or even poppa smirk or the gipper for that matter. I think in general, presidents tend to ask people for their resignation rather than deal with the political backlash that firing could result in.

As for 9/11 and WMD - I agree 100% that there are many people who should be fired, smirk, condi, rummy and wolfowitz top the list, but none of them will. Why? Becuase for the Bush League to do so would be to admit fault. Not one of them has even had the balls to do what Clarke did and appologize to the families. Again, to do so would be to admit fault. (Of course now Condi-the-convict wants to meet with the families and express the administrations condolances...2 1/2 years too late!)

[k in IA]

3. Didn't Clinton get rid of the Jocelyn Elders as Surgeon General

during that masturbation flap?

[fryguy]

4. but was she "fired"

Maybe I'm being to pedantic with the term, but is the question has the president ever called someone into the board room and said "you're fired" or has the president ever forced/encouraged an official to leave office. I don't think the former happens very often, if at all (with the exception of Tricky Dick)

[Leilani]

6. Clinton got rid of Sec of Defense

Les Aspin? after Somalia.

[LandOLincoln]

5. Good analysis, but I think there's another, far simpler reason:

he doesn't dare. They all know too much.

[keopeli]

10. Yes, LOL, they are all scarred by what they know

However, this is just an analysis of a model that this administration has setup, one of which I am very familiar: the bible study. In this model for Bush*, Rove is the one who knows that the risk is ENORMOUS because of what people know. Bush* may very well be oblivious, which doesn't really matter, because he trusts that Rove is doing God's work helping him out.

Sorry. Don't mean to sound pious. It makes me feel dirty to think of how the Bush* administration is functioning under the guise of christian principles. The God I believe in would NOT be very pleased with the actions and behavior of the Bush* gang. In my world, hypocrites lie squarely on the bottom rung of the moral ladder.

Keo

[keopeli]

7. Good point of clarification re: firing vs. asking to retire

My thoughts are that Bush* has not 'asked anyone to retire' nor has he 'fired' anyone. Clinton did ask Elders to leave, and he got rid of someone after Somalia, I'm pretty sure. (I read this somewhere today...looking for link.) My point isn't the WAY you get rid of your people, it's holding people accountable for their actions. Since Bush* believes everything they do is sanctioned by God Himself, that means GOD is responsible...not Condi Rice or himself. To contradict their actions is to contradict GOD's actions. This way, his people feel 'free to act and advise' since there is no way they will be held accountable. Meanwhile, Bush* keeps saying, "We're doing God's work" (at least, in the bible study, if not to reporters).

Keo

Edit: Thanks, 'sweet' Leilani, for the clarification.

[fryguy]

11. that's true

I agree 100% with the notion that the bush league operates with the notion of devinve providence. Its also evident in their insistence on not wavering from certain goals, regardless of how many holes are punched in their justifications. They operate completely under the theory that the ends justify the means and that what they say is, for lack of a better term, gospel. Not to mention our simian-pseudo-president doesn't see the need to educate himself on the issues, prefering instead to rely on adivsors and his "gut" instincts and beleifs....

[CO Liberal]

8. He Just Puts Them On Airplanes.....

:tinfoilhat:

[fryguy]

12. poor taste

[CO Liberal]

13. But True....

[fryguy]

14. like whom?

[CO Liberal]

15. Search The Internet

There are several sites that document people who have crossed Bush's family over the years and died under mysterious circumstances.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. When you work for the White House

under ANY administration, you have to write and sign a letter of resignation as soon as you take your job. That's why no one gets "fired".

[Kazak]

16. Yes, I've come to that conclusion too.

Nice job, putting it out there like that.