"I look at the fact they scrapped a $35 billion helicopter, the Comanche helicopter, after they'd expended $8 billion. And I think to myself how many wells could I dig with $8 billion? How many clinics could I open? How many hospitals could I build in Afghanistan and Iraq or Palestine or Iran or Sudan with that kind of money? And it's a much more lasting, permanent effect than sending troops in and trying to quell the terrorists."
Asked whether that's an implicit critique of the Bush approach, Thompson says it isn't.
"I'm not taking away from George Bush's foreign policy at all. I'm not taking away from his strong military," Thompson says. But "there has to be a better way to doing our relationships with these countries. That better way is medical diplomacy."
I can't imagine why Bush didn't want Thompson for Homeland Security.
Early in the new year, three weeks after Bernard Kerik's nomination had fallen apart, Thompson traveled to the Oval Office for one final chat as a cabinet member. Thompson grew tearful, saying he'd always be there for Bush, and hinted one more time that he would jump at the chance to stay on. But Bush stuck to his plan, and said goodbye."...and don't let the door hit you in the Randy Moss on the way out!"
