James B. Baker III Is Back

Soccer Dad notes the aura that seems to exist around James B. Baker III. Baker of course is back in the limelight now that he is chairman of the panel reassessing Iraq strategy.

The New York Times describes him this way:

At 76, Mr. Baker still enjoys a reputation as one of Washington’s craftiest bureaucratic operators and as a trusted adviser of the Bush family, which has enlisted his help for some of its deepest crises, including the second President Bush’s effort to win the vote recount in Florida after the 2000 presidential election. Mr. Baker served as White House chief of staff, as well as secretary of state under the first President Bush.

On the other hand, Powerline quotes William Katz, who is not quite as impressed

Let us not forget Baker's catastrophic performance as secretary of state under Bush 41, a performance marked by cynicism, an absence of any admirable principle, and an intense hostility to Israel. Baker is widely reported to have said, in a private meeting, "F**k the Jews, they don't vote for us anyway," when asked about Jewish concern over his Mideast policy. He famously read out the White House phone number when testifying before Congress, saying the Israelis could call it when they were ready for peace.

He presided over the sending of Brent Scowcroft to break bread with the Chinese only six months after Tiananmen Square, as if nothing had happened. When asked why Americans should support the first Gulf War, he replied, "Jobs." Nothing like inspiring the nation. After that war, he famously went to Iraq and essentially turned his back on those who were revolting against Saddam.

He says we should talk to enemies like Syria, and relates how he made 15 trips there without result, but that on the 16th try he succeeded. What was the "success"? Why, Baker says, the Madrid Conference. What did the Madrid Conference accomplish? Hard to say, but, to paraphrase Eisenhower's famous comment - if you give me a week, I might be able to think of something.

The first Bush administration was even said to worry that the liberation of Eastern Europe was proceeding too quickly. No "tear down that wall" talk from the crowd.

With the exception of the freeing of Kuwait's oil wells, it's hard to think of any real, lasting accomplishment when Baker was at State. If he should emerge as a pinch hitter, we should recall what happened the last time he came to bat.

Oh, that James Baker.

Technorati Tag: James B. Baker III.