A Certain Person said yesterday that they would jump into the Presidential race if they could raise $10 million. My initial reaction was to tap out a furious post about the raging egomania of this Certain Person which led him to seriously proclaim that there was no difference between Bush and Gore in 2000 and who duped enough voters into pulling the lever for him to throw a close election to the Supreme Court. Despite the fact that he was monstruosly wrong, he proceeded to run again, to diminishing returns.

Now, obeying his reflection in the mirror, he apparently feels its time to don the mantle once again. His excuse? Kucinich dropped out. What this Certain Person doesn’t get is that Kucinich has had a fair shot, particularly in the early goings. Yes he eventually got asked to not show up to debates but that is because his numbers were abysmal (not an excuse I agree with). Be that as it may, the system worked — voters aren’t that interested.

I’ve decided not to give this Certain Person what it is that they so desperatly crave — attention. I will not utter their name, nor with any luck will I have to make reference to them again. I do implore all of you out there in Blogsylvania — do not name him, do not give him the publicity he seeks.

This of course is not anywhere near a denial of wrongdoing from the most secretive Presidency in history. If this President’s name were Clinton the Trent Lotts and Bob Novaks of the world would be foaming at the mouth and baying at the moon for a special prosecutor and a full accounting.

I find it hard to believe that sloppiness was at work here. With barely a year left, it will be up to historians to uncover the true venality and shady dealings that underlie so much of what the Bush administration has done. Once again Bush manages to make Nixon look like an amateur. The Watergate tapes were only missing 18 and a half minutes — compare that to 473 days!

The House voted in favor of the new State Children’s Health Insurance Program, setting up a veto showdown President Bush. Bush, who opposes the program on “philosophical” grounds, seems to feel that think-tank bromides trump sick kids. Though 45 Republicans sided with the Democratic majority on the bill, 151 Republican lemmings marched off this particular cliff — allowing Bush’s veto to stand and giving Democrats a prime election year cudgel in 2008. 8 Democrats also voted against the bill, among them Dennis Kucinich. Here are the full yeas and nays.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has warned the White House and fellow Republicans that they are in danger of facing an even more hostile electorate if President Bush vetoes the new State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill as he is expected to do. If the House fails to override his veto Grassley expects a pounding from Democrats going into next year’s election. Read the article in the Washington Post to see just how steamed up Grassley is it the President of his own party. Grassley is absolutely right on all counts here, and the White House has shown once again the contempt for fellow Republicans as well as Democrats that’s the hallmark of an imperial presidency.