Former Republican Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger has a last name that sounds like a dish served at a sketchy truck stop in the Appalachians- which is enough on its own to earn a small bit of affection from me. But his new found habit of bluntly stating what the American people have known for awhile- that Sarah Palin is incompetent- has warmed my heart so that he may be my new favorite card in my Heartthrobs of the Bush Administration: Vol. One deck. 

Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over the job on a moment’s notice but, even after some time in office, would only amount to an “adequate” commander in chief.

“And I devoutly hope that [she] would never be tested,” he added for good measure — referring both to Palin’s policy dexterity and the idea of McCain not making it through his time in office…

The remarks took place during an interview on National Public Radio that was, ironically, billed as “making the case” for a McCain presidency. Asked by the host whether Palin could step in during a time of crisis, Eagleburger reverted to sarcasm before leveling the harsh blow.

“It is a very good question,” he said, pausing a few seconds, then adding with a chuckle: “I’m being facetious here. Look, of course not.”

Eagleburger explained: “I don’t think at the moment she is prepared to take over the reins of the presidency. I can name for you any number of other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either. So the question, I think, is can she learn and would she be tough enough under the circumstances if she were asked to become president, heaven forbid that that ever takes place?

“Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate. I can’t say that she would be a genius in the job. But I think she would be enough to get us through a four year… well I hope not… get us through whatever period of time was necessary. And I devoutly hope that it would never be tested.”

What makes this all the more magically delicious is that the McCain campaign has been holding Eagleburger’s support of the ticket as evidence of party unity and the belief that the foreign policy circle has in the ticket. 

Hey, Maverick- I think your goose is cooked.