Rove doesn't respond to everything. He instead allows the Dems to get to a crescendo, then when events turn his way, he pounces with full force. Expect something similar in the summer of 2006.
Bush has taken the gloves off, and it is great to see, because it has energized the GOP to go after those Dem bastards. It is fun to see them running for the hills, and going after their idiot mascot Howard Dean.