And That's All Folks

I decided against publishing the "Worst of 2004" list because....why bother? Donald Trump, Michael Moore and Major Media cover most of that terrain and the rest is tedious.

As for Ellisblog, the time has come to retire it as an "active site." I will use it as a place to post links to articles I write for other publications and journals, but I will no longer "blog" regularly or irregularly. The demands of my real job require a single focus.

For those who inquired about Skype, yes, I think it is a truly disruptive company in the telecom arena (we're investing in the VOIP "space"). I think it forces the "majors" to rethink their business models and not in the abstract.

For those who inquired about Visible World, yes, I think it changes advertising budgets at every major business-to-consumer company.

For those who inquired about Albertson's, I was wrong. Roger Simon, among others, set me straight.

As to my appraisal of Mitt Romney as the GOP's best hope in 2008, no, I do not speak for the "Bush family." I think he's enormously talented and capable and smart. And since Governor Jeb Bush and Vice President Cheney have said they aren't running in 2008, you gotta pick from the remaining cast. I admire Senator McCain, but age and health may preclude his running. So Mitt it is.

Thanks for reading. Best wishes for a great 2005.

Best and Worst of 2004


Best Player: Mia Hamm. An extraordinary career.
Best Movie: "Million Dollar Baby." At the age of 75, Clint Eastwood triumphs.
Best Advertising Campaign: Apple Computer. True to the brand, fresh.
Best Columnists: Peggy Noonan, George Will. Smart and true.
Best Blogger: Kausfiles. Strange, but true.
Best Political Source: Real Clear Politics. All you needed to know in 2004.
Best Newspaper: The Wall Street Journal. And getting better.
Best Governor: Mitt Romney (R-MA). The GOP's best hope in 2008.
Best Fun Restaurant: Gigi's in Rhinebeck, NY. And the food's good too.
Best Restaurant: The Four Seasons in New York City. Elegant and delicious.
Best Airline: Jet Blue. Begs the question: how hard is it?
Best Automobile Company: Toyota. The greatest automobile company ever.
Best New Advertising Technology: Visible World.
Best New Media: XM Radio. A transformational company and Major League Baseball to boot.
Best P2P Technology: Skype. 42 million downloaders can't be wrong.
Best Business Story: Skype. They started at zero. A year ago.
Best Shoes: Merrells. Indestructable, comfortable.
Best Computer: Apple G5. An amazing machine.
Best Rock Star: Avril Lavigne. Hard rocker, hard worker.
Best Yankee: Derek Jeter. Pinstripe DNA.
Best Magazine: The Economist. No contest.
Best Wings: Robin Hood Restaurant, Hamilton, Bermuda. Who knew?
Best Golf Courses: Shinnecock, Mid-Ocean, Sand Hills, Quaker Ridge, Winged Foot, Carnoustie. Especially Carnoustie.
Best Hotel: Mansion on Turtle Creek. Dallas, Texas. Perfect.
Best Coffee: Dean and DeLuca. House Blend.
Best Bagel: H&H Bagels. Always.
Best Burger: Louie's Lunch, New Haven, CT. Beyond great.
Best New Golf Technology: The Rac-7 Driver, by Taylor. You'll never go back.
Best Golfer: Vijay.
Best Sports Performance: Tie: Roger Federer and Retief Goosen at their respective US Opens.
Best New York Institution: The Public Library.
Best Quarterback: Peyton Manning. Hands down.
Best Iraq Analyst: Bruce Hoffman, Rand Corporation.
Best Grocer: Whole Foods.
Best Customer Service: American Express.
Best TV: HBO.
Best Drug: Advil.
Best Departing Cabinet Member: Colin Powell.
Best New Cabinet Member: Carlos Gutierrez.
Best White House Aide: Andy Card.
Best Political Reporter: Tom Edsall. Disregard the lefty slant.
Best Bookstore: Amazon.com. Better and better.
Best Anchorman: Brit Hume. Wry on news.
Best Movie Star: Brad Pitt.
Best Narrative: James Lileks.
Best Political Operative: Ken Mehlman.
Best Democratic Operative: David Boies.
Best IPO: Google. 2x and counting.
Best Entrepreneur: Rick Adam, Adam Aircraft. (We're investors. Sue me.)
Best Book: Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton.
Best Night: Game Seven, ALCS.
Best Day: November 3rd, 2004.
Best of All: The men and women of the United States Military.

Captain Varitek

The heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox can be found behind home plate. Both the new four-year contract and the new title were and are richly deserved.

Letterman in Iraq

This is why David Letterman is the best.

Naked City

Every so often, a story comes along that captures the essential spirit of Washington, DC. Today there are three such stories. One is about the DC City Council. Another is about former Congressman Billy Tauzin. And the third is about local government salaries in the DC area.

I do believe that if someone went out and organized a "Recall Them All" campaign on the Internet -- urging people to vote out of office every single incumbent, at every level of government -- that that someone could raise about a billion dollars. And have a significant impact on the nation's politics.

Back In A Couple of Weeks.

The week before Christmas, Ellisblog will unveil its much-anticipated but sparsely read "Best and Worst" list for 2004. After that, Ellisblog will likely go into a period of prolonged hibernation, due to the usual laundry list of other obligations.

Quote of the Day

"Those of us that work here - and nobody more than myself - believe that CBS News is this mystical kingdom of journalistic knights......Now that may not be true. But the fact that we believe it in our marrow is very real to us." -- Dan Rather, in today's New York Times.

Dan Rather, Investigative Reporter

Dan Rather was fired today by Viacom; which is to say that he announced that he would step down as the anchor of the CBS Evening News on March 9, 2005. Evidently, the price of removing him as anchorman of the CBS Evening News was to rehire him as a correspondent for both "Sixty Minutes" broadcasts.

It was on Sixty Minutes The Second two months ago that Mr. Rather "reported" a largely fictional tale of President Bush's service in the Air National Guard, a tale based on patently bogus documents. Long after everyone else on the planet realized the documents were fraudulent, Mr. Rather continued to insist that they were true.

Andrew Sullivan asks: how can CBS News return Rather to "Sixty Minutes" without first reading the report of the independent commission tasked to investigate the Bush-National Guard fiasco? Wouldn't that report inform what role Rather might be asked to play at CBS News (and at Sixty Minutes in particular) in the future? Might not that report suggest that Rather be fired for cause?

Sullivan's questions are rhetorical. He understands that the whole thing is a lame, PR shuck. But today's charade does say something about the character of the organization. They fire someone who committed journalistic fraud. They then say that said fraud is a minor matter, that it shouldn't color one's perception of Mr. Rather or CBS News. And they then give the perpetrator of this fraud a job that rightfully should go to anyone but him.

The notion that Mr. Rather's active involvement in perpetrating journalistic fraud should not "diminish" his "long and distinguished" career (which seems to be the MSM's view of all this) is deranged. Of course it should and of course it does. But it's not really about him, it's about what to do about him. What was revealed today was the more interesting story; one of empty suits and the stewardship of decline.

The Comeback Kid

But one of the great blessings is the way one-time political adversaries have the tendency to become friends, and I feel such is certainly the case between President Clinton and me.

There's an inescapable bond that binds together all who have lived in the White House. Though we hail from different backgrounds and ideologies, we are singularly unique, even eternally bound, by our common devotion and service to this wonderful country. And that certainly goes for the 42nd president of the United States. And if I might inject a somewhat proud personal opinion here too, that certainly goes for president number 43, too.

When President Clinton experienced his heart trouble recently, there was a tremendous outpouring of affection and support. But in hindsight, perhaps we need not have been too worried. After all, few presidents in recent memory have shown greater resilience and bigger heart.

Every time he got knocked down, which can happen in politics, he got right back up. In fact, he made the comeback his trademark.

And therein lies the greatest lesson ever offered to future generations: Never give up, never give in, keep on fighting.

So, Mr. President, congratulations to you and Hillary and Chelsea on this very special day.

-- Former President George Herbert Walker Bush, at yesterday's dedication of the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas.

With Sweetness

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. I'm pleased to announce my nomination of Dr. Condoleezza Rice to be America's Secretary of State. Condi Rice is already known to all Americans, and to much of the world.

During the last four years I've relied on her counsel, benefited from her great experience and appreciated her sound and steady judgment. And now I'm honored that she has agreed to serve in my Cabinet. The Secretary of State is America's face to the world. And in Dr. Rice, the world will see the strength, the grace and the decency of our country.

Both Condi and I have been proud to serve with our friend, Secretary of State Colin Powell. He has been one of the most effective and admired diplomats in America's history. Secretary Powell has helped to rally the world in a global war, has helped to resolve dangerous regional conflicts; he's helped to confront the desperate challenges of hunger, poverty and disease. He has been tireless and selfless and principled, and our entire nation is grateful for his lifetime of service.

I'm also grateful that Steve Hadley has agreed to become my new National Security Advisor. Steve served Presidents Nixon, Ford and Bush before me, and he has done a superb job as Dr. Rice's deputy during these past four years. Steve is a man of wisdom and good judgment. He has earned my trust and I look forward to his continued vital service on my national security team.

When confirmed by the Senate, Condoleezza Rice will take office at a critical time for our country. We're a nation at war; we're leading a large coalition against a determined enemy; we're putting in place new structures and institutions to confront outlaw regimes, to oppose proliferation of dangerous weapons and materials, and to break up terror networks.

The United States has undertaken a great calling of history to aid the forces of reform and freedom in the broader Middle East so that that region can grow in hope, instead of growing in anger. We're pursuing a positive direction to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict, an approach that honors the peaceful aspirations of the Palestinian people through a democratic state, and an approach that will ensure the security of our good friend, Israel.

Meeting all of these objectives will require wise and skillful leadership at the Department of State, and Condi Rice is the right person for that challenge. She's a recognized expert in international affairs, a distinguished teacher and academic leader, and a public servant with years of White House experience. She displays a commitment to excellence in every aspect of her life, from shaping our strategy in the war on terror, to coordinating national security policy across the government, to performing classical music on stage. Above all, Dr. Rice has a deep, abiding belief in the value and power of liberty, because she has seen freedom denied and freedom reborn.

As a girl in the segregated South, Dr. Rice saw the promise of America violated by racial discrimination and by the violence that comes from hate. But she was taught by her mother, Angelina, and her father, the Reverend John Rice, that human dignity is the gift of God, and that the ideals of America would overcome oppression. That early wisdom has guided her through life, and that truth has guided our nation to a better day.

I know that the Reverend and Mrs. Rice would be filled with pride to see the daughter they raised in Birmingham, Alabama, chosen for the office first held by Thomas Jefferson. Something tells me, however, they would not be surprised. (Laughter.)

As many of you know, Condi's true ambition is beyond my power to grant. (Laughter.) She would really like to be the commissioner of the National Football League. I'm glad she's put those plans on hold once again. The nation needs her. I urge the Senate to promptly confirm Condoleezza Rice as America's 66th Secretary of State.

Congratulations. (Applause.)