Just as I was beginning to think how clever Rove was in his "apology", I thought, this is too good to be true. Then I started to look for the source. Once again snookered by that ole Scrappleface.
If only it were true. Well, in fact it IS (and I mean the real "is" here) true!
The best satire and parody always contains just that little kernel of truth doesn't it?
I think you could also subsitute the word "tight-assed" for brittle.
"Crusty pantsuit" works too.