Perhaps with F-22/FCS/DDX/etc. contracts in their state/district/portfolio/job title?

...is a fun guy?

These whisper campaigns are absolutely disgusting. Seems to me that all of this is just speculation built up by the comments of some disgruntled low level NSC staffers. They should recognize how potentially undermining their leaks could be. I don't think Obama wants open warfare within his administration at this point.

Well, your speculation in this case is wrong. But that's OK.
Best,
Tom

I guess you're right if by "human nature" you mean that our political arena is dominated by self-interest. But politically, is it really that savvy to show cracks in the upper echelons of the national security apparatus? This guy buys Obama credibility with Republicans--as these stories said he's friends with McCain--and treating him like a piece of trash might not necessarily be the most prudent or self-interested thing to do in the long run. Any political issue they have with it will depends on whether it turns out to be a major story, and if Jones is ushered out with kind words or if he is booted out with a swift kick. I would call a news story with accusations that he is mentally disabled a "swift kick," Tom, so we'll see what happens. You were the one (I think) that reported about the perils of treating Gen. Zinni like garbage. Speaking of the Romans, they used their power prudently: allowing localities to manage their own affairs as the Romans dictated their policies of war and peace, and slowly aggregating power by spreading the fruits of their empire to people previously considered enemies. Maybe the people orchestrating the leaks should take a look at Roman history, not me. Who knows what will happen, though, since all we plebs have to go on is a few unattributed comments.

I'm not advocating a paradigm shift. I think it's bad for Obama if perceived moderates are pushed out. Against their self-interest, you might say, if you insist on talking about human nature & DNA. He needs Republicans to back up his natl security policies, if nothing else, because the left wing won't (they have local interests, which are staunchly anti-war). Look at all that wrangling on the hill yesterday over the war supplemental. Mccain, despite occasional gripes, is supporting Obama on these policies, and I can imagine he might be less prone to do so if Jones is booted. What really bothered me about this story wasn't Ricks post, but the other story by Steve Clemons in which he wrote that "the hawkish/neocon-friendly/Likudist-hugging part of the Obama administration's foreign policy operation may be engaged in a coup attempt against Jones." That sounds like a recipe for nightmare, but can we really trust Clemons labels? And do the labels fit with Ricks' hint on Gates--i.e., is he a "liberal interventionist"? Unless Gates is cynically trying to avoid being asked to move to the NSC, it seems that he agrees with me. Why else would he reach out to Ignatius if he really didn't feel that Jones was being abused by rumors? You can't throw every action every person takes up to human nature. Anyway, there doesn't seem to be enough information out there to warrant any detailed speculation. Guess that means I should stop writing about it and watch the baseball game.

commenting on, maybe. Only one guy in the view who was grinning.

I'm reading Prof. Haas' insider acct of our two-ish Gulf wars. His description of the NSC Advisor and staff interactions with press, WH, State and DoD is interesting. I think Jefferson and Lincoln were dealing with viral press rumors too.

Sometimes a manager will berate the ump (Jones in this metaphor) to try and get the next close call coming his way. Some fans and writers are just mean.

War of Necessity, War of Choice. Richard Haas
http://www.amazon.com/War-Necessity-Choice-Memoir-Iraq/dp/1416549021

Thomas: Good God, its the White Hose staff you are talking to, they always hate each other, they get it from the crackers in the Mess. There is only one guy that truly matters in the White House and that guy really needs gates and Jones where thay are for a while. Unicorn