Rove is a Genius

Bush/Rove produced a masterful move today with the appointment of Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush head charitable fundraising for tsunami relief efforts. While I strongly believe that the actually relief efforts including funding from individual governments and logistics issues should not be a part of the political game, the charitable portion is a bit political.

Clinton gets a high profile position and is tasked with doing something he's very good at: raising funds for a cause...whatever cause. Clinton had to accept the position or chance looking puerile.

The upside for Bush will manifest itself in the next six-months to one year. Bush will most likely have to appoint a Mid-east Envoy to broker the peace process in Israel. Clinton, more than anything, wanted that feather in his cap; peace in the mid-east and a straight shot at the Nobel Peace Prize. He would have had it too if not for that thug Arafat.

By Bush appointing Clinton today, when the time comes for an envoy to be named, Bush won't look petty when he appoints anyone but Clinton. Another facet of this appointment is the overt whack at the UN, which may well be Clinton's next employer. By assisting US efforts, he is indirectly supporting the coalition that Bush culled together and which the UN is chastened about.

Lastly, Jimmy Carter was left out. The chief Bush basher was snubbed on national TV and deserved it.