Bush Gets Homeland Security Chief Appointment Right

Even if some folks on the right and left have some bones to pick with President George Bush’s new pick for Homeland Security chief one thing appears to be clear: this time he got it right by picking a tough jurist who is not a flamboyant personality:

President Bush has chosen federal appeals court judge Michael
Chertoff to be his new Homeland Security chief, turning to a former
federal prosecutor who helped craft the early war on terror strategy,
The Associated Press has learned.

Chertoff headed the Justice Department’s criminal division from
2001 to 2003, where he played a central role in the nation’s legal
response to the Sept. 11 attacks, before the president named him to
appeals court position in New Jersey.

Bush was to formally announce Chertoff’s selection later at the
White House, two government officials, speaking on condition of
anonymity, told The AP.

Chertoff would replace Tom Ridge, the department’s first chief. Chertoff, who rounds out Bush’s second-term Cabinet, was actually
the president’s second pick for the job. Former New York City police
chief Bernard Kerik withdrew as nominee last month, citing immigration
problems with a family housekeeper.

After failing to disclose the nanny problem during an initial
screening, Kerik acknowledged it during a subsequent vetting phase as
he filled out a clearance form.

Ahem…there was a tad more with Kerik than that, ABC News. Tiny things like allegations that he was somehow linked to a business that had mafia ties, two alleged extramarital affairs.

Kerik had so many skeletons in his closet Harvard Medical School offered to buy it. More:

The choice of a new homeland security chief completes a
substantial makeover of the Bush team as the president awaits his
swearing-in Jan. 20 for a new term.

The main thing about Chertoff is this:

• Ridge was a popular politico and Bush confidant. Kerik was someone Bush got to like and admire in his dealings with him during 911’s immediate aftermath and on the campaign trail. Ridge was considered an up-and-coming politician who Bush had even considered for the Veepship. Ridge left the post not hurt by his stewardship there (he had an impossible job) but not quite the rising star he was before in GOP politics. Kerik supposedly withdrew his nomination (it sounds as if he was pushed) then later quit the consulting firm he worked at with his mentor former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani (it sounds as if he was pushed).  Kerik had been poised for great things nationally. His nomination reduced his future prospects.
• Chertoff is a non-nonsense judge. Various analysts on cable and talk radio claim Hillary Clinton hates him due to his role as counsel to the Senate Whitewater investigation. All that aside, in this case Bush seems to have picked some one who is NOT from the political world (Whitewater investigation aside) but is strictly anchored in LAW.
• His TV appearance this morning revealed someone who is not colorful or charismatic. VERY GOOD. Ridge was often accused or suspected of grandstanding in his appearances, using terror alerts for political reason (these allegations by the way were never proven but remain allegations). Clearly, the Bush administration is not going to benefit from Chertoff’s TV talents or non-existent charisma BUT he WILL enjoy more credibility with the press and with some centrist voters since he clearly is a no-nonsense legal technocrat.

We’ll see. But in Ridge we had the steak with a bit of sizzle.

With Kerik we would have had some steak with ear-shattering sizzle.

With Chertoff we may have a Texas sized steak with little sizzle — but when it’s finally consumed and digested,  the STEAK is what’s most satisfying.