You seem to have summed up the administration's attitude nicely.
Y'know what? I'll bet you'll be one of those around here blaming 'the base' when your prophecy comes true. And the base will say 'right back at ya'.
No, I don't have to wait to blame the base, I already do, for a bunch of whining that doesn't mean a thing. Abu Graib, Valerie Plame, Harriet Myers, Dubai Port Deal, NSA, Mexican Border, Cheney's accident, to only name a few and the list goes on, of crap that adds up to nothing but innudendo and speculation. The base took the bait.