Precisely. Despite the VP's stated sentence of support, I haven't seen the WH leading any charge of the light brigade to Bolton's defense. They've been pretty meek, if you ask me.
A comment of support here, and another one there.
I think it really is their style to float people and see if anything turns up. Ashcroft, Chavez, Kerik.... examples. I don't mind the style, but it's hard to get worked up over that which hasn't yet gotten the WH in a lather.