CNN vs. BBC

<--I do not envy this man

So yesterday, President Bush named Lt. Gen. Lute to be the US's new war czar, apparently because our drug czar had been doing so damned well that we needed to keep going with this whole czar thing.

What, exactly, is a war czar, you no doubt ask. CNN explains:

In the newly created position, Lute would serve as an assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser, and would also maintain his military status and rank as a three-star general.

Still not clear on it? Well, the BBC got you back:

Correspondents say it is unclear exactly what General Lute will do, and whether the job will involve settling turf wars between the Pentagon and the state department.

He will serve as an adviser to the president but will also keep his military position and three-star ranking, reports said.

The Associated Press news agency reported that the new appointee would speak for the president concerning developments in the conflict areas and smooth over differences between rival departments.

So we actually have no clue what a war czar is, but we do know that he will surely speak to the President. Do we really need to hire new people, just to speak to the President? But how did they choose this guy anyway? CNN, I'll give you first shot again:

It was a difficult job to fill, given the unpopularity of the war, now in its fifth year, and uncertainty about the clout the war coordinator would have. The search was complicated by demands from Congress to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq and scant public support for the war. The White House tried for weeks to fill the position and approached numerous candidates before settling on Lute.

A difficult position to fill, eh? BBC, can you give us some more tantalizing detail?

Gen Lute was appointed after a lengthy search in which several candidates apparently turned down the position. He must be confirmed by the US Senate.

So let me get this straight: the government made a new position, forgot to figure out what that position actually does, and then found the only guy who wanted it to fill it. Victory is right around the corner.

(PS. Anyone else catch the Republican Debate last night: I hope to have a blog post about how Tom Tancredo gets my official endorsement for President up late tonight or tomorrow)