Rove: Master of Distraction

After two lost Presidential elections and a decade of decline in Congressional seats, the left still can't buy a clue about organized political strategy. Anybody listening to any "liberal" or "progressive" talk radio last week knows that two topics dominated segments on just about every show:

1. Edward Klein's book, "The Truth About Hillary"

2. Karl Rove's statements about a made-up version of Liberal America's reaction to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

EVERY talk show host fell for this combo of ruses, orchestrated to avoid serious dissection of w's Iraq speeches and the goings-on in Congress. Al Franken bought it hook, line and sinker. I so sickened of hearing refutations of that damn book I had to turn off his program. He even gave Klein airtime. The book should be a non-starter for our side. Instead, they're giving it legitimacy and helping to popularize it.

Even more egregious is the way Rove's quotes are being played.

Rove's statements illustrate why he is a master of political strategy, if a dark master. He's doing the same thing that Howard Dean has been attempting in the last few weeks, only doing it more smoothly. Party ideologue says outrageous things, then respected members are free to make comments sitting them in the center, improving their public perceptions. Or, the comments in reaction can be spun by the press and the cons, making Dem's demanding apologies look like whiners.

Dean the pirate has been raiding those practices straight from the Republican cruise ship. I like the fact that he's shown we can do it too. What I wish is that SOME liberal/progressive voice out there would point out this strategy and uncover it for what it truly is. The truth, as they say, will set you free.

Also, Rove's diatribe aired in the wake of Dick Durbin's wimpish apology for statements made about our prisoner scandals. In the current political climate, the script has been flipped- begging for apologies only makes one look subservient. Refusing to apologize makes one look steadfast. Has our side not figured that out yet? Durbin should NEVER have apologized for what he said- the comparison was apt. w looks stronger for backing Rove's statements, granting them a legitimacy to which they are not entitled.

There is no realization from the Democratic leadership that all of these issues become linked in peoples' minds. The Republicans and Rove have played the media like a cheap guitar. Until we learn the media lesson, our side is destined to keep hearing the sad music.

MBT