D.D. 12/12/05

Governor Bredesen's efforts to defer criticism of ethical lapses on his own watch by sacrificing low level administrators in the name of displaying action continued over the weekend, according to Conservatore Pensieri:

Governor Bredesen's pattern is even more simple: Allow the Tennessean to uncover questionable conduct in his administration; go public declaring "It didn't start with me but it will end with me"; leave good, loyal friends he has appointed to prestigious and influential positions out on a close line to twist in the wind until the attention is diverted from him; and then send them to the gallows to satisfy the enraged masses. After leaving the bodies for proper public display, he cuts them down and waits for the next time an investigative reporter attempts to slap his hand at which time he's off to start all over again with another loyal supporter to turn into mutton. With all respect, Governor Bredesen goes through more sacrificial lambs than the Old Testament.

And, naturally, the strategy worked. Nathan Moore bemoans a Tennessean editorial that approves Bredesen's swift response: "Three Bredesen appointees have taken the fall, yet according to the opinion-meisters at The Tennessean the governor has acted with near Herculanian ethical strength in cleaning up the mess he in part helped create." Pensieri concludes: "Such an easy pattern to follow ~ and the GOP still doesn't have a serious candidate to face him. Unbelievable."