4 major Republican weak spots on Rove

[StefanX]

Some people think the Republicans will win this one too. But four major weak spots are working against them this time:

(1) They're trying to use their usual tactics of spinning and smearing in the political system - but that might not work this time, because now they're up against the legal system. Getting 270 electoral votes is a whole different ball game than convincing a judge and a jury. But Republicans have already shown a tendency to fight today's battles with yesterday's tactics.

(2) They're much more comfortable at playing offense - they're out of practice when it come to playing defense.

(3) They can't keep their talking points straight. Former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie contradicted current RNC Chair Ken Mehlman, and Luskin keeps contradicting the party line. Scotty McClellan keeps contradicting himself and Bush promised to fire the leaker but now he stands by Rove.

(4) Bush is majorly conflicted on this. On the one hand, he NEVER admits he made a mistake. On the other hand, the Republicans' main claim to fame is National Security - and making an alleged traitor the face of the party is going to put a serious dent in that image.

[Wetzelbill]

1. awesome post

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. If it wasn't a big deal, then rove would have admitted it years ago

Doing it this way is going to cost them big time.

[centristo]

3. i predict

that Rove will get off. Its just the way this administration goes. They started a freaking war based on faulty intelligence and won re-election. Bin Laden is still alive and no one in the administration and none of their supporters seem to care. These guys just lie and make mistake after mistake and do not pay any consequences.

I think Rove will be busted for leaking the info, but because he did not know she was undercover (that will be his defense) he will not be prosecuted. He will just be made to look like an asshole. Possibly, Rove will resign and the matter will be closed as far as most Americans are concerned.

Sorry its a little pessimistic.

[Straight Shooter]

4. Benedict Rove compromised national security and the safety of Americans.

There is no way to put lipstick on that pig, it slides right off. It doesn't matter why he did it; the point is, he did it.

bush may stick by rove to the bitter end, but eventually dump him and claim he didn't know. It's also quite possible they're planning a stagecrafted exit for rove which will save face for bush. Either way, there is a tremendous amount of damage to party which has hypocritically claimed the high road for so long.

[IndyOp]

5. Thanx! I really like #1 and #4 --

I'm working on a LTTE and will make use of them.

LTTE under development - comments welcome:

We all know that politicians 'spin' events. Isn't it time that we admit that 'spinning' is an synonym for 'lying' and ban the word 'spin' from our vocabulary?

Endangering national security is treason.

Even if Rove's ridiculous story is true - he told a reporter about the CIA operative involved, but never named Plame - his participation in 'outing' Plame is still treasonous, and his attempt to spin a lie. Further, if he did not name Plame, then someone else in the administration did, and more than one person committed treason.

===========
Does anyone have a link to Rove quote that he did talk to a reporter about the CIA operative involved, but did not name her?