Posted by
Buster Foghorn on Thursday, May 24, 2007 7:49:00 AM
Yesterday Hugh Hewitt interviewed Secretary Chertoff about the pending Immigration Bill (transcript and comments). The interview with the Secretary was quite disappointing. If the Secretary gave up time to appear on the show because he cared about the audience and wanted to persuade President Bush’s supporters that the Immigration Bill is a good one, he did more harm than good. To call his answers evasive or less than persuasive is being too kind.
I recall someone saying that if Homeland Security had been headed by Bernie Kerik there would not have been a Katrina story. He suggested that the New Orleans issues would have been resolved quickly by Kerik who focuses more on solving a problem than working out every detail before starting action. Unfortunately, Judge Chertoff reportedly negotiated for days with the inexperienced Louisiana Governor over terms for Federal action in New Orleans. The speaker said Kerik would have gone in immediately, removed the people from the Super Dome stadium and then worked out the details with the governor. While listening to Chertoff yesterday I was reminded how unfortunate it is that the Department doesn’t have a man of action now.
I have to think the same analysis is true regarding the construction of the fence. I just returned from Dubai this week and construction cranes are everywhere as multiple projects are brought on line with 24/7 split shifts working round the clock. Of course this sort of “can do” action requires someone who has a sense of urgency and importance with regard to building the fence. The Secretary obviously believes there is no rush. Neither the President nor the Country is being well served by this construction process.