…is why they’re suddenly backing off the Saddam/9-11 connection, when they’ve managed to convince 70% of the public that there is one. Why now, particularly when it is an outright admission that they lied to Congress to justify the war (see post below)? Are they just trying to defuse the issue so the Dems can’t beat them over the head with it? Is something going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about? Are they just so insanely short sighted that they’re reacting solely to criticism of Cheney’s Meet The Press appearance, without any thought to the larger implications of what they’re saying? That last would certainly be in keeping with their usual MO, but I have to admit, I’m stumped on this one. What’s Karl Rove’s angle here?
BY TOM TOMORROW