I use asshole, the American equivalent of arsehole as a synonym for Libertarian. Mr. Howells does not sound like a a Libertarian. He sounds like a twit.
Incidentally, I take exception to Blair being called Bush's poodle, or Howells being called Blair's poodle. I was raised with poodles. Poodles are not biddable dogs. They are frighteningly intelligent and very independent. You do not train a poodle, you negotiate with him.