Spicey, we hardly knew ye
In one of the biggest non-news news stories coming out of hyperactive Washington DC comes the news that Sean Spicer has resigned as Donald Trump’s press secretary.
The question is “what took you so long?”
The reported final straw was the appointment of long-time Trump loyalist Anthony Scaramucci as White House Communications Director, a role Spicer had been filling in a double-duty capacity since the departure of short-term appointee Mike Dubke.
Somewhat interestingly Spicer’s resignation comes hours after Marc Kasowitz and Mark Corallo stepped away as head of and spokesman for Trump’s legal team.
Scaramucci’s credentials suggest he is infinitely unqualified to direct the communications strategy of a White House where the Oval Office occupant is his own best (and worst) spokesman and where “discipline,” particularly when it comes to messaging, is non-existent.
The New York financier is described as one of Trump’s most trusted loyalists, close to First Son Donald Trump Jr. and “respected” by First Daughter Ivana Trump and First Prince Jared Kushner.
His closest experience in communications appears to be he was the subject of the now-retracted CNN story about campaign ties to Russia.
It’s hard to generate any sympathy for Spicer, who has been furiously mocked by Melissa McCarthy on Saturday Night Live for toeing the Trump party line starting with the size of the Inaugural crowd.
It suggests that what has hit the fan so far is tame compared to what may be on tap.
He had also long been the administration’s face in the ever-shrinking number of on-camera press briefings which attracted “must-see” cable ratings until they virtually disappeared amid a flurry of “I haven’t asked the President” responses.
If Spicer had professional backbone, he would have stepped away long ago in protest not of an appointment but over Trump’s callous disregard of the truth on everything from health care to Russia.
At best, this is a face-saving move for him in the hope he can salvage his reputation or, failing that, make some big bucks on the pundit/lecture tour. His memoirs ought to ensure him financial stability for the rest of his days.
It’s also possible some high-priced communications firm may hire him for his inside information and Rolodex.
But coming six months after the start of his public humilation — and the departure of Corallo from the legal side — it also suggests that what has hit the fan so far is tame compared to what may be on tap.
Firing independent counsel Robert Mueller for “overstepping” his initial charge to investigate Russian election meddling and other issues that may work their way to his plate?
That one is already weak given that former special prosecutor Ken Starr’s investigation into Bill Clinton initially focused on the “fake news” allegations surrounding the death of Vince Foster and the fourth-rate “scandal” allegations over an Arkansas land deal called Whitewater.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders should seriously consider whether she really wants to be the face of this ongoing circus. Before Scaramucci decides otherwise.
