Let's Make a Beet Secretary of Agriculture!

President Bush has chosen Bernard B. Kerik, the New York police commissioner during the attacks on the World Trade Center, to take over the Department of Homeland Security from its first leader, Tom Ridge, administration officials said yesterday.

White House officials described Kerik, who campaigned aggressively for Bush's reelection, as a proven crisis manager who can straighten out the lines of authority in the infant department and work to prevent a catastrophic attack or cope with its aftermath. Other Republicans said Kerik would provide a telegenic presence, and one presidential adviser pointed out that Kerik "brings 9/11 symbolism into the Cabinet."

Wouldn't a poster of the Twin Towers bring 9/11 symbolism into the Cabinet? Why not then nominate it?

At least the White House is being truthful that their Cabinet appointments are not about accomplishments, and all about symbolism, perception, and politics.

Incidentally, Kerik also brings "Saudi Arabia symbolism" into the Cabinet (he was a private security guard to the royal family in the Kingdom), as well as family values symbolism:

Family: Two young daughters with wife, Halah. One son by his first wife, Jackie. Also fathered a daughter while stationed in Korea.

It's killing me that I can't find the story I read that claimed Kerik ABANDONED the girlfriend and infant kid in Korea.