From yesterday’s Crossfire:

BEGALA: Well, today, nearing the end of this week, we learn that the Bush administration is in fact undermining Mr. Brahimi. According to today’s “Financial Times,” Bush administration officials leaked the name of a leading candidate to become prime minister of Iraq, nuclear scientist Hussain al-Shahristani.

The U.N. enjoy reportedly reacted with fury at the Bushies’ leak and shortly thereafter, Dr. Shahristani withdrew his name from consideration. Nice work, Mr. President. Look, looking at the president’s crew in Iraq, I can of feel like Casey Stengel when he was the manager of the 1962 Mets. He looked down at the bench and he said, Tucker, can’t anybody here play this game?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

CARLSON: It’s interesting, though, Paul. I think you’re neglecting to ask — you’re neglecting to ask the key question. And that is, is Mr. Brahimi, as you put it, pro-American? Are his interests the same as ourselves? That’s the only question that matters, as far as I’m concerned and I think probably as far as you’re concerned.

And I’m not sure I know the answer to that, actually.

(CROSSTALK)

BEGALA: He is the person who the president has entrusted to do this work. And I have to agree with the president on this point.

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: Sometimes his interests intersect with ours and sometimes they very, very much don’t. Some of his criticisms of the way we’ve waged the war in Iraq have been completely outrageous and anti-American.

(BELL RINGING)

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: Maybe he’s worth being undermined.

Is it any wonder why the UN and other countries aren’t terribly interested in helping us out of this quagmire?