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It seems conspiratorial to me.

I agree. It was a conspiracy of stupidity involving Tenet and some other players in the administration. Essentially, it had to be some combination of Cheney (I hate to even think he was in on it), Powell, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, NSC staff. Since Condi Rice immediately tried to limit the damage, I can only conclude that she wasn't in on it or wasn't informed as to exactly what Tenet would say. Certainly, she's made it clear that she's backing the British intel claims. To me, this is one of maybe a half-dozen things she's done that demonstrates that she merits her position. By comparison, Powell hasn't done anything that impresses me. Ever.

The bumbling nature of this Tenet matter is troubling, not so much for its actual content as that it was so incompetent and politically inept as to raise questions about the ability of this administration to handle themselves well. It just looks bad. And contrary to what others have said, it insulted Blair and our British friends.

Of course, it's a slow news month so the DNC has to make some splash so their media allies can give their candidates some free face time to spew the DNC talking points ('pattern') under the guise of news. And summer is a slow news time.