New Bush tell-all: "what is up with all these Republicans?"

There is a new Bush administration tell-all, by former speech writer, Matt Latimer that will be released September 22, 2009, for all the folks chomping at the bit to learn some insider political dirt.

The book is entitled. Speech-less: Tales of a White House Survivor. Latimer reveals that when the former president heard about Senator Larry CraigSenator Larry Craig getting caught in an airport bathroom, reportedly looking for sex, Bush said, “what is up with all these Republicans?”

In addition to Bush’s Larry Craig quip, Ryan Grim of the Huffington Post listed a few highlights from the book in his article:

*Donald RumsfeldDonald Rumsfeld had to be talked out of editing his own entry on Wikipedia, which he referred to as "Wika-wakka." He was a Drudge Report reader and used to watch YouTube clips that made fun of his press conference performances.

* Several years after Colin PowellColin Powell left as Secretary of State, he was to appear with administration officials at an event. "In the next draft can you change 'Secretary Powell' to 'General Powell'? He prefers to go by 'General' instead of 'Secretary'," read a note from his people to Latimer, who thought it looked like the general was trying to distance himself from the White House. "I'm happy to report that the president didn't accommodate him. 'Secretary Powell' stayed in," Latimer writes.

* While Karl RoveKarl Rove was appearing on Fox News and writing op-eds as an independent political analyst, he was privately smearing Democrats. Karl spread rumors through the White House that one of Obama's potential vice presidential running mates -- and a United States senator -- had beaten his first wife. 'Karl says it's true,' the president assured a small group of staffers. Then knowing Karl, he quickly added, 'Karl hopes it's true," reports Latimer.

* For a commencement address at Furman University in spring 2008, Ed Gillespie wanted to insert a few lines condemning gay marriage. Bush called the speech too "condemnatory" and said, "I'm not going to tell some gay kid in the audience that he can't get married." (Of course, Bush ran his 2004 campaign telling that kid just that.)

* Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice "adamantly opposed" any reference to jailed Egyptian dissident Ayman Nour when Bush traveled to Egypt to promote freedom. She won.

*Bush, it turns out, is like millions of Americans: "I haven't watched the nightly news one night since I've been president," he said.

* Maine Republican Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Collins is fond of sending angry, middle-of-the-night e-mails to staffers because she's frustrated that her colleague and rival Olympia SnoweOlympia Snowe gets more and better press. As a result, reports Latimer, she rips through press secretaries like 30-packs at a beer-pong tournament. (A Collins press secretary didn't respond to a request for comment.)

* Interviewing for the job, Latimer was told by Chief of Staff Josh BoltenJosh Bolten that Bush's White House was "the most ethical administration in history." He added: "Looks like even Scooter LibbyScooter Libby might get off."

The new spill-it-on-the-table book is due to be released in full circulation on Tuesday, but several copies have been “leaked” to the press. Matt Latimer has been condemned by the former administration for his lack of “loyalty” and pursuit of financial gain. But a few others, evidently, enjoyed some laughs.

It will no doubt be the next water-cooler sensation…until some other book chock-full of barely interesting and certainly not surprising tid-bits about a former fill-in-the-blank comes along.

Actually, the Larry Craig revelation by Bush, “what’s up with all these Republicans?” may seem funny to many people, but it might also paint George W in a more positive light with liberals, gays, and Democrats…if that is at all possible

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