Radical Right-Winger Bob Beckel Says Van Jones Has To Go

Oh, Bob Beckel isn't one of those rabid, frothing, evil right-wingers out on a witch-hunt to get Van Jones? Well, he's on Fox News, so I guess that immediately disqualifies him in certain circles.

Transcript via NewsBusters.

VALERIE JARRETT, OBAMA AIDE: We were so delighted to be able to recruit him into the White House. We've been watching him.

ROSEN: That Valerie Jarrett, one of the president's closest aides, expressed such enthusiasm for Jones less than a month ago, suggests Mr. Obama was also aware of Jones' hiring. Yet congressional Republicans have begun calling for Jones to resign and for hearings. And by week's end, such sentiments were not confined to the GOP.

BOB BECKEL, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: My guess is that the resignation letter is being written as we speak.

ROSEN: As an aide to President Carter, Bob Beckel is a White House veteran, and he's urged the current president to drop the ax soon.

BECKEL: Obama has been accused during the campaign of associating with people who were radical, whether it be Bill Ayers or Reverend Wright. He has to do with Jones what he did with Wright, which is to cut his relationship off.

ROSEN: A White House official told FOX NEWS today what is obvious by now, that Van Jones, quote, "wasn't fully vetted prior to his appointment."

But Valerie Jarrett's statement last month that "we've been following him for as long as he has been active out in Oakland" suggests that Jones' views and style, Bret, have long been known to the president and to his advisors.

Emphasis mine.

It's gotten so bad even the rather liberal New York Daily News says it's time for Jones to go.

Here's the mea-kinda-culpa Jones put out yesterday: "If I have offended anyone with statements I made in the past, I apologize. As for the petition that was circulated today, I do not agree with this statement and it certainly does not reflect my views now or ever."

Wait: Did he sign it or not? If he doesn't agree with the views and did sign it, what could possibly have possessed him?

It was troubling enough that the White House was prepared to give an environmental volunteering effort a massive megaphone on Sept. 11, which should be reserved for a solemn remembrance of lives taken by terrorist thugs. It was more troubling when it turned out Jones gave credence to 9/11 lies.

And it is still more troubling that the man can now only muster a half-hearted, nondenial denial.

We're Jonesing for a real reckoning. If it doesn't come from the green-jobs guru, it'll have to come from his boss.

Obama's been in hiding the past several days and in some respects we should be thankful since his ubiquitous presence in every facet of our lives has grown to be more than tedious. But it's time to man up, Barry, and send yet another extremist pal of yours packing.

Van Jones, meet Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers. Although I'm assuming you're all well-acquainted.

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