The Daily Bubble

Lately, I've been impressed by the ability of top-tier politicans to construct phrases that suggest one meaning but can withstand a substantially different reading. For example, Robert Luskin, Karl Rove's lawyer, said that Rove did not 'leak the name of a CIA agent'. Of course, if Rove called a reporter and mentioned 'Joe Wilson's Wife', he can still "credibly" say that he did not leak her name. Later Luskin declares that Rove is not a "target". Target is a narrowly defined term that only applies to someone that is on the verge of being indicted. Up until the day before, someone is classifed as a "subject". Playing on public ignorance, Rove's lawyer refuses to comment further and does not clarify whether or not he is a "subject" of the investigation. Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan offered a well-constructed message of support for Karl Rove: "Any individual who works here at the White House has the president's confidence." Now the President can say with confidence that he did not trust Rove in the case of a termination. The media won't be able to play "The President has full confidence in Karl Rove" over and over again. You have to love the subtlety.

It is striking that the President doesn't feel compelled to take a position. Does Bush know if Rove has done anything illegal? Here's a great anonymous quote from an Administration official: "Rove has not been asked by senior White House officials whether he did anything illegal or potentially embarrassing to the president and he spent most of the day strategizing on Bush's Supreme Court nomination, aides said. ... No one has asked him what he told the grand jury. No one has deemed it appropriate.'" Short answer: no. No one has asked him. Bush likes to run a corporate White House. If you are the CEO and your underling might have committed a serious crime... would you ask them? Either Rove told Bush the truth and Bush doesn't care, Rove lied to the President and the President can forgive him, or the President doesn't care and hasn't asked. None of those reveal good qualities in our Commander in Chief. This is going to burn him one way or another in the end.