As it seems to be unfolding, the Republican response to the very awkward Foley/page situation is following a familiar script, perfected as I recall by Ronald Reagan, that should be clearly parsed, the better to deplore its cowardice and real evil:
(1) Search up the hierarchy of command until you reach the level at which the affair in question is a small enough part of someone’s overall duties that that particular failure does not justify resignation. If necessary, keep going up to the top.
(2) Trot that person out to wring hands, “accept full responsibility” and say “the buck stops here”. Take care, however, to suppress any inference that the current disaster says anything about the boss’, or the organization’s overall performance or competence; he can bear any number of “last straws” as long as they arrive one by one and fall off his back quickly.
(3) Make it clear that at this level, accepting responsibility for this (relatively) small matter obviously doesn’t entail any actual action by, or consequences for, the official. At lower levels, of course, consequences don’t apply because the top guy has vacuumed up all responsibility (see (1) above).
(4) Throw one junior player over the rail so the sharks have something to eat. If someone is already at the rail, pop a geolocator in his pocket to guide the sharks. Blow smoke from the “thorough investigation” machine.
(5) (Bush administration refinement) Give an intermediate level player who has completely botched the operation a “heckuva job” medal. Remarkably, this can actually be the same person used in (4) with careful timing.
This may have started with Reagan, but was brought to perfection by Janet Reno over Waco.
Such an old tactic and how long has it worked for them? And why have the demo’s let them get away with it? And just who is going to do anything about it? Which Democrat has the spine to stand up on his or her hindquarters and bray:ENOUGH?
Tried and true; insofar as I recall, the investigation into who screwed up in allowing the Marine barracks bombing in Lebanon was indeed called off — because Reagan had said he accepted “responsibility.” But I have serious doubts that it will work this time, due to the unfortunate timing for the Republicans. Either Hastert hangs on and costs them a few crucial votes in swing districts, or he leaves, validating the seriousness of an indisguisably Republican scandal on the eve of those elections. I am not sure that even skilled execution of the strategy can get them out of this one.
Umm, when did Bush take responsibility for Katrina, or Baghdad, or 9-11, or any other fiasco? The “Helluva job, Brownie” strategy is an alternative to the Reagan strategy, not an addition to it.
Mark: I will never say the Republicans are handling this properly… but I wonder: are you the pot or the kettle?
We were thinking along similar lines – see the Hastert Test over at Angrybear!
Sorry Mark, a bad, if not unjustified, move on my part assuming you were the writer.