Dubya defends Cheney against charges of Halliburton shadiness.
Category: GOP Culture of Corruption
The Ivy Cradle.
Much as the Bushes have derided Eastern elitist universities during their presidencies, it turns out Harvard kept Harken afloat during Dubya’s stint there. In related news, George Soros – another big Harken investor at the time – admits to David Corn he was “buying political influence” when he gave money to Harken. So much for Dubya’s business savvy.
Corporate Socialism.
Ralph Nader weighs in on the corporatization of America in the Post. “At stake is whether civic values of our democratic society will prevail over invasive commercial values.”
The People Have Spoken.
According to two recent polls, a majority of Americans think (a) Bush is owned by Corporate America and (b) Gore-Lieberman should not run again in 2004. Looks like the electorate is batting 1000 this morning.
Cheney’s Harken.
Lot of Enrongate coverage today, I know…but I’ve been out of it for a few days. Here’s a good recap on Cheney’s Halliburton shadiness.
Making Pitt stop.
John McCain devours Dubya crony and SEC chairman Robert Pitt (whom Dubya has ill-advisedly embraced despite the calls for his resignation) on Meet the Press.
Fortunate Son.
In the wake of WorldCom, industry experts doubt FCC Chairman Michael Powell’s ability and desire to put the brakes on the telecom meltdown.
Rescue attempts.
While Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan tries to assuage the market (something Dubya is seemingly incapable of), the Senate and House pass measures to stifle corporate malfeasance (and the stock market free-fall), thanks to a Republican “deathbed conversion.”
Do as I Say, Not as I Do.
Dubya calls for the end of a corporate loophole he himself profited from back in his Harken days. Meanwhile, this being an election year (and since I’m sure their profiles aren’t doing so hot right now), the Senate voted unanimously on several measures to curtail corporate malfeasance, a number of which go further than Dubya desired.
Running for Cover.
“In the long run, there’s no capitalism without conscience. There is no wealth without character.” I dunno, Mr. President…you seemed to do pretty well for yourself. In his much-anticipated speech yesterday, Dubya tried to put the brakes on the Wall Street sell-off and quell the growing questions surrounding his own stock shadiness (timeline here.) Needless to say, it didn’t seem to work.