I agree Frist is a disaster, but I think Hastert has been quietly effective. You certainly can't blame the House for failing to move most of the conservative agenda forward. The House has been a great asset, but Hastert, as a leader, and a vocal and visible proponent on Bush's policies, has been sub-par at best...
By the way, don't underestimate FReepers and our intuitive senses, yourself included... Rove and co. are magnificent strategizers, but they aren't all knowing... I really feel that if they wait too long to counter-attack, it may be too late.
I know the natural tendency is to want to respond, respond, respond, and attack, attack, attack. But the public simply is NOT paying attention, nor will it for months. Freepers always think "these things are taking a toll," but having worked in research over elections and so forth, it is highly unlikely 95% of the public can even NAME Joseph Wilson. They have a general sense of prosperity or lack thereof---not even really so much jobs. I think by mid-04, the economy will be back in a strong (not booming, but strong) prosperity mode, unemployment will be inching down, and that this will be reflected in polls. Meanwhile, the WH cannot attempt to counter every little fire. Save your ammo for the real campaign.
Remember, we saw a 2-3% Bush lead in 2000 disappear in one weekend with a badly-timed DUI news. They won't let that happen again.