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McClellan's Revenge

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BY ROBERT D. NOVAK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 2, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Republican insiders see the bitter criticism in Scott McClellan's memoir, "What Happened," as a payback for his abrupt firing as White House press secretary in the spring of 2006.

McClellan's book makes it clear he did not like it when newly appointed White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten told him he was done as press secretary. His resignation was announced six days later.

While McClellan's attack on President George W. Bush shocked Washington, it was no surprise to many people in Austin, Texas. They say McClellan's mother, veteran Texas politician Carole Keeton Strayhorn, has been predicting her son would get back at the people who fired him. Elected state comptroller as a Republican in 1998, she left the party to launch a losing independent race for governor in 2006.

Romney For VP
Political donors report Sen. John McCain complains he is under pressure from President Bush and his former political adviser Karl Rove to select former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as his vice presidential running mate.

Since losing to McCain in the Republican primaries, Romney has become a strong supporter and helper of the presumptive nominee. During their contest, McCain indicated his dislike for Romney.

Many economic conservatives view Romney as the best bet for a unified GOP ticket. Social conservatives are less enthusiastic about him, and many evangelicals still oppose Romney because of his Mormon religion.

Purging Mr. Pork

National conservative activists are getting behind an effort to purge 74-year-old Rep. Don Young, a leading purveyor of pork, in Alaska's Aug. 26 Republican primary. Young's opponent, 45-year-old Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, met with conservative activists last week in Washington.

Young, who came to Congress in 1973, would become the senior Republican in the House if he is re-elected this year. He is a subject of a Justice Department investigation in connection with the notorious Coconut Road earmark that was added after the bill actually passed.

National Democratic strategists have targeted Young as a vulnerable incumbent, with State Rep. Ethan Berkowitz the leader for the Democratic nomination. But Young is shaky in the Republican primary, with a recent poll giving him 45 percent to Parnell's 42 percent.

Robert D. Novak's column is distribured by Creators Syndicate Inc.

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