You don’t have to be a Michael Brown fan or foe to recognize an easy political applause line.In this case, by John Edwards:

As president, Edwards will help New Orleans get back on his feet by … Passing “Brownie’s Law,” so agencies like FEMA get the job done: Edwards will enact a new requirement - “Brownie’s Law” - ensuring that senior political appointees actually are qualified to perform the job to which they are appointed. Brownie’s Law will require that heads of executive agencies and other senior officials have demonstrated qualifications in the field related to their job.

Brown’s response? Check out this zinger in today’s Washington Post:

“John Edwards took one of the most hollow cheap shots that anybody can take,” Brown said. He noted that the bills Congress passed last year to strengthen FEMA staffing would not preclude him from assuming the leadership role he had.

“I qualify under their standards,” he said. “I started as general counsel and worked my way up the ladder. If John Edwards wants to play politics over this, then he could have voted against me when he was in the Senate.”

Ouch!

Brown hasn’t had many rhetorical victories the last two years — but score this one for the ex-FEMA chief.

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