The Hub of Politics

Here it is...

Sen. John Kerry said Tuesday he will prevent the former head of Boston's $14.6 billion Big Dig from becoming head of the Federal Highway Administration.

"I'm afraid Richard Capka could be the Brownie of highways," the Massachusetts Democrat said, referring to former Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown, who became the scapegoat for the inept federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

The Gigolo's political pandering, desire to create theatre wherever he happens to be (like Davos, of course) and aspirations aside for the moment, is there anyone - anyone - who thinks hiring a former head of The Single Most Expensive Mile Of Highway In The History Of Mankind to work that same magic on the federal level is a good idea?

Well, apparently George Bush does.

Capka, nominated earlier this month by President Bush for the top highway job, was chief executive officer of the Boston highway project from January 2001 to June 2002 until his position was terminated.

Fired - that is.

Though costs rose slightly during his 1 1/2-year tenure, Capka was mostly criticized for his failure to handle the political controversies surrounding the massive construction project. For example, he approved lucrative severance packages for several Big Dig lawyers.

Good googa-mooga.

Amazingly, the Transportation Department - headed by this guy, remember - still thinks this is a good idea

Transportation Department spokesman Robert Johnson said Capka's 30 years of service as a decorated veteran and accomplished civil servant have earned him the praise of Bush and President Clinton.

...

Capka, a retired brigadier general with the Army Corps of Engineers, became acting administrator of FHWA in August.

Look, I'm sure Gen. Capka is a swell guy and he is most certainly a patriot. But isn't this just sorta much? I mean, this is the former head of The Big Dig™ we're talking about here.

For a parting shot, let's go back to the Trans Flak...

"The issues being raised have been reviewed by the Department of Transportation's inspector general prior to his hiring as deputy administrator at the Federal Highway Administration," (Transportation Department spokesman Robert) Johnson said. "We are certain once Sen. Kerry gets the facts he will support Rick Capka's nomination."

Well, let's not get nutty, Mr. Johnson. This is John Forbes Kerry we're talking about here. Aren't you asking Kerry to be against this nomination... before he was for it? I'm not at all sure JFK Lite works in that mode.

Bottom line, Mr. President: Your Chief of Staff is supposed to be - well, the Chief of your Staff. Meaning that he is supposed to screen-out these potential nightmare PR battles - like hiring the former head of the Big Dig to be the chief of all Federal Highways - for you. And he's failed you - again.

It's long past time for you to send Andy Card back home to Massachusetts.

Do it.

Now.