[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Been wondering that since Day One. In my best dreams, it's been a Rovian Plan with Novak kicking it off.

More likely somebody's brain fart that has brought on a completely unneccesary opening for the Left to attack. Scandal-wise, Bush has done a remarkable job (by recent standards). Alas, there are far too many egomaniaces running around the halls of power for anyone to completely control.

IMO, if it turns out that Libby flapped his lips, he should be thrown under the bus without ceremony. Same for anybody else. If it drags out, the Dims have fodder for their 2006 campaign ("Republicans are corrupt, we are the saviors, etc., ad abusem"). If the issue is closed out fast, the Dims will be forced to do what they have been avoiding for many years -- declare their agenda.

[pollyannaish]

If it drags out, the Dims have fodder for their 2006 campaign ("Republicans are corrupt, we are the saviors, etc., ad abusem")You know, the more I think

You know, the more I think about it, the more I say let them. It's not like the dems have a clean house on this issue, Clinton is still their standard bearer for crying out loud.

They will just continue to be dismissed as irrelevant. Most people can see right through this because they believe ALL politicians are corrupt. So this isn't all that shocking to them.

[daybreakcoming]

Well spoken. I agree if it is Libby .....it's unforgivable that he has not already resigned. However, he has had a long and honorable career and as Mary Matalin has said about him ~~ "He's exceedingly analytical, detailed, strategic, bright; and he's discreet". And evidently Cheney feels the same way.

Only the egomaniacs that you spoke of would be the most likely to whisper leaks deliberately or not into any member of the media's ear. We shall see.