Wishful thinking re: the Clarke testimony.

[swag]

Nobody was a shining star or brilliant hero today during testimony. Today's hearings: Most folks did okay (even if I do think a couple of them were completely full of shit, they had their game faces on pretty well). Wolfowitz, of course, should have been allowed to talk more so as to sink the entire ship of state, but you can't have it all.

I guess what I'm hoping for, and I know it probably won't happen but it's pretty to think about, is that the Clarke testimony will be galvanizing (sorry, maybe "vulcanizing" is a better word for this, but I'll soldier bravely onward) in a way that makes him an instant American hero. Remember the way people were (and still are) snowed by Oliver North, instant TV god? Could this happen with Clarke?

Lord knows, I think he has the credibility on his side: details of his story corroborated by Woodward, O'Neill, and even much of Rummy's and Armitage's testimony. And I don't think he'll be bullied by the shrewish Bob Kerrey. And I think tough cross-ex from Ben-Veniste may just sharpen Clarke's narrative more. I don't think there's a false bone in Clarke's body.

Sorry for all the idle speculation. Tomorrow will tell. But these thoughts were going through my tiny pea brain today, and I figured I might as well type them out here.

Thoughts?

[bobbieinok]

1. Oliver North in Iran-Contra hearing

...dressed up in his uniform

...put on his 'open, honest young soldier' face

...stood there like a 'brave young soldier boy in front of a firing squad'

...'I followed my commander-in-chief's orders' unstated text: 'mine not to reason why, mine but to do or die'

Clarke too old, too 'bull-dog' to have the kind of (disgustingly sickening) impact North had

could maybe have a different but just as strong impact

I remember watching North give his testimony - he just made me sick the way he played it up.