For Conservatives only

What is wrong with the Bush political team?  Have they all quit?  I realize that part of the problem was the new tone that Bush promised.  You don't fight Democrats he said, you try to work with them. I'm sorry, working with most liberal Democrats gives me the same feeling that the thought of Charles Manson pleading to simple assault would have given Vincent Bugliosi.  Justice isn't done, and a bath is needed.

I thought Karl Rove was a genius.  But three recent incidents have got me wondering.  First, when the admittedly left of center Joseph Wilson wrote the story in the New York Times that Saddam never purchased yellowcake uranium from Niger, the administration couldn't wait to be apologetic.  Never mind that Bush said that an attempt was made, not a purchase.  Never mind that Great Britain stood behind their intelligence.  Never mind that Wilson never did any investigation other than ask the government of Niger whether they sold any to Iraq.  The Bush team caved when they didn't have to cave.

The second pathetic episode regarded David Kay's report concerning weapons of mass destruction.  The news media was thrilled to report that no stockpiles of weapons had been found, but the administration did a lousy job of pointing out what had been found, like Scud fuel, attempts to get missile technology from North Korea, starter toxins for weapons, dual use labs; all banned .  The report actually confirmed a lot of intelligence, but the administration didn't seem to care to make their case.

Now comes the story of  Valerie Plame.  The Bush team is letting the news media and the Democrats define the terms.  The Intelligence Identities Protection Act is a very specific statute with a high burden of proof.  There are serious questions about whether Ms. Plame falls into that category and whether there was an intentional leak.  Yet, the Bush administration is going along with whatever the media says about this.

Has Bush decided that he doesn't want a second term?  Politics is the art of perception.  The Bush team used to be able to play politics like Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar.  Not lately, though.