That Old Time Magic

He's on the hot seat before a hostile committee, being grilled by a Senator who in better times would have rallied to his cause. He doesn't seem to realize how far the tides have turned.

He thinks this is just like the heady days of years before. He thinks that amidst this grilling for potentially perjurious statements he might throw in a bit of good ol' boy humor. He thinks he'll get a laugh.

So in the midst of a catastrophically poor performance before the committee, after weeks of preparation to get his various stories straight, in reaction to the Senator's comment, I know you've been preparing for this hearing, with that trademark smirk on his face, he leans into the microphone shaking his head mockingly and quips, I prepare for every hearing, Senator.

He sits back and takes a drink of water. There is no laughter. The hearing room is absolutely silent. The Senator struggles to control his fury and then launches into the Attorney General who now finds himself in a game of his own making that he cannot win.

No, the time for smirks and jokes and professions of being out of the loop and attempts to wave the flag and change the subject has past.

The old magic doesn't work anymore. And the audience is not impressed.

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Hat tip: Thinkprogress

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