Yah, it seems that most Republicans have united over this. Was a talking points memo distributed? LOL
It would seem that way, but if so, it amazes me it didn't get leaked to the Dems by the RINO's. maybe personal calls to select members like Pataki? Pataki really isn't a sell out to the Party the way McCain is so he could probably be trusted not to let it be known in advance.
IMHO no memo was sent. Their are some guarantees in life, especially political life, where when people are defined and have their convictions, any bait will get a standard response. A conservative has more scruples because they are almost always supported by empirical facts. Liberals are more (not completely) emotionally-based. With emotion one can take ones core and meld reactions on a case-by-case basis. Even with such brevity they still are predictable and are so often contradicting previous statements/reactions.
So again my guess is there was no coordination just an understanding by Rove and some in the WH that a reaction would be guaranteed. I do believe Rove and his phenomenal political instincts knew this and the WH was prepared to use this as a chance to get the Dems to admit they are indeed liberals and that they are demanding a standard that they conveniently ignored in the wake of Durbin's slander (and Dean, Kerry, Hillary, Fat Teddy, Levin, Pelosi, Biden, Kucinich, Gore, Carter yada yada yada).