| Max didn't even try to disguise the relationship. In 2008, he and Melodee travelled as a couple to Vietnam as a part of an "ongoing effort to open markets for Montana products and to develop contacts for Montana businesses." The problem is that they travelled alone, ahead of the trade delegation, a clear violation of strict guidelines and protocol governing staff travel.
After he nominated Ms. Haines, Max found himself in a bit of a Catch-22. Stay the course and hope the FBI wouldn't uncover the relationship as part of the background check. (Righhhhhht.) Or, if you believe Messina didn't know about it, disclose the relationship to the White House. And, why, exactly, would the Administration agree to keep her name in the mix?
So, without explanation, Max withdrew Melodee's name and hoped that time would conceal the blemish. Obviously, it hasn't. To even the most casual observer, the explanations regarding who knew what and when are inane.
In many cases, Max's judgment over the years has been fatally flawed. His complicity with the Bush Administration, in particular, is well known. At times, he so badly wanted to be a player that he was willing to make a deal, no matter how bad the deal turned out to be. And, there were plenty them, just as there were recently with his endless and fruitless efforts to collaborate with the R's on the Finance Committee on health care.
Supporters gulped and grudgingly adapted. ("But, this is absolutely the last time.")
But, that was policy.
This Melodee thing is different. Even if she is equally qualified, it's tragically poor form for Max to have nominated his bed buddy.
Yes, we can all cite examples where members of Congress (and our own Legislature, for that matter) have paired up. With colleagues. With staffers. With lobbyists. With . . . Well, you get the picture. And, somehow, that is supposed to provide a context to excuse Max's moral and ethical lapses.
(If I run out of vomit, may I borrow some of yours?)
Max cherishes his role as the Chairman of the "powerful" Senate Finance Committee. And, he expects us to look the other way? On a subject as sensitive as who wields the powers of US Attorney?
Don't think so. Isn't gonna to happen.
We should be able to expect better and should not be asked implicitly to forgive him when he doesn't have the balls to level with us.
We all know better. We know what was going on.
Tiger and Max are both incredibly naïve.
Tiger's gift is his skill and judgment to select the right club and what swing given the conditions and circumstances. Max is employed to use his judgment to exercise power.
In the end, Elin will likely dump Tiger. His sponsors are scurrying, but they'll be back. Besides, his vast skills as a golfer are not unaffected. And, something tells me he will continue to succeed and set records in spite of his peccadilloes.
Max's skills are far less profound. And, something tells me Max' sponsors won't be as generous as Tiger's.
Nor should they be. |
