SUNUNU WATCH

At Least He Beat Larry Craig: Sununu Is One of the Least Powerful Members of the Senate

Congress.org's annual report on the 100 most powerful senators was released this week, and John E. Sununu found himself right where we expected: at the bottom looking up. Sununu ranks 89th among his 99 colleagues, a few notches better than Larry Craig, but below all other New England senators. Granite Staters already know that Sununu doesn't have a presence in New Hampshire; now they have confirmation that he isn't making an impact in Washington, either. He's not showing up in New Hampshire and isn't getting anything done in Washington - just what is John E. Sununu doing in the U.S. Senate?

Earning His Powerless Reputation

In an article about former Governor Jeanne Shaheen's plan to address the foreclosure crisis, Foster's Democrat reports, "Sununu said legislation he introduced to strengthen regulation and oversight for both entities passed the House but is being fiercely fought." If Sununu had any power in the Senate, he'd be able to win this fight, but that's what happens when you're powerless. The legislation Sununu is talking about has been referred to the Banking Committee, which he left earlier this year. Even when Sununu tries to get something done in Washington, he fails.

Bush Loyalist Sununu: Model of International Cooperation?  

Here's a good one for you: John E. Sununu gave a speech this week talking about how to make the world safer from international conflict. That's like asking the fox, after feasting on a dozen hens, to talk about how to make the henhouse safer. Sununu's steadfast support of the Bush administration's reckless approach to international affairs helped lead our country into one of the worst foreign policy crises in recent history. As a result of Sununu's willful compliance with that policy, the world is less safe, global conflicts are increasing, and the United States' standing in the international community is at an all-time low. Sununu's actions over the course of the past six years provide a case study in what NOT to do in the effort to prevent and resolve global conflicts.