This was posted on Talking Points Memo;
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/(December 09, 2003 -- 04:55 PM EDT)
Department of intra-administration coordination, subdivision of one hand knowing what the other's doing ...
As we noted yesterday, Bush family fixer James A. Baker has been given the task of cajoling states that are owed money by Iraq into either forgiving or generously restructuring Iraq's debts.
Near the top of that list of state creditors are France, Germany and Russia.
Now we hear that Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has just signed a directive barring French, German and Russian companies from competing for the $18.6 billion of Iraqi reconstruction contracts for "the protection of the essential security interests of the United States."Add to this tidbit, Bush's slap at Taiwan today, telling them not to piss off China. And a revolt on the right due to Bush's inept handling of the budget.
There is a battle going on between the Neocons and Xtian right on the one hand and the 'good 'ol oil bidness boys' like Baker at the White House. They are trying to save their pResidency. And I think they are worried.
Enjoy the show.