Rove's Paw III: A response

Parker, from Washington, my home town, has written a comment to the last post wondering, among other things, "what is wrong with wanting an impeachment?" You should read the whole comment to see his argument, it's certainly heartfelt. It will also help you to understand this post.

Nothing is wrong in wanting an impeachment. It might be politically fitting, morally just, and perfectly legal. It might also be a mistake.

It will be a meaningless desire if Democrats don't start winning some elections soon. One of the ways to do that is what any student of chess is taught in the first game or two: Always ask yourself why an opponent made that last move.

That is what the posts on Karl's Paw are about. If Rove thinks that the way to defeat the Democrats is to make Nancy Pelosi their poster child for the demonization of the Democrats, somebody among the Democrats ought to ask "why is he doing that?" Pelosi's rhetoric might be appealing to the roughly one third of the electorate who think like Parker. It would certainly encourage them to go to the polls this fall. Parker, however, seems committed enough already. I don't think anyone who feels the way he does needs to be jacked up further - they'll vote if they have to wade through molten asphalt to do it. If the usual supporters for Bush and the Republicans are disgusted enough with the failing presidency to stay home (a real possibility) than the committed Democratic voters carry the day.

That will probably only happen if a large segment of the electorate that is not particularly charmed by either party and their political methods decide to go to the polls and vote. I am of this ilk. Right now all indications are that they would vote against Republicans.

Here is where my reconstruction of the Rovian plan kicks in. Nancy Pelosi is anathema to many of the Right and talk of impeaching Bush and investigating all kinds of things about his administration will madden them to the point where they will swallow their increasing disgust with this administration and head to the polls. They won't be voting for Democrats.

Since I believe that such voters would roughly equal the committed anti-Bushies trooping to the poll, victory would then go to whoever attracted, or at least failed to repel, the broad middle of the electorate. By and large they do not want to hear talk of impeachment or investigations. They didn't like it for Clinton and they won't like it for Bush. They would like to hear talk of practical solutions to problems that effect them right now: the high cost of gas, the cost of health insurance, Social Security, etc. They are, I believe, highly susceptible to rhetoric that clearly points out how the Republicans have done nothing to solve these problems, but the Democrats can.

Rove is also counting on the Hayden nomination to fit this mold. Once again, why is he making this move? I saw Hayden on the Jim Leher TV show yesterday and he looks great in his Air Force uniform and build. He looks like, as the Republican Representative from New Mexico kept gushing "a great leader! Our military produces great leaders!" Now such talk gives me a tummy ache, but consider how Rove can play it: "Look at this brave strong leader. A proud military man! 20 years of service to his country! Tons of experience in Intelligence! Exactly what we need to make sure that you, and little Buffy and Muffy, are safe! And those liberals over there, those anti-military, unpatriotic, treat-the-enemy-with-kid-gloves LIBERALS, are opposing his nomination! Why, they don't even want leaders like General Hayden to listen in on what the terrorists are plotting!"

I know it sounds witless, but then so did the Swift Boat campaign. Parker also asks, "Are you saying that the GOP shouldn't be held to the same standard they expected of Clinton and the Dems in the '90s?" Absolutely. I thought 'their' standard was wrong, hypocritical, cheap destructive politics, over the top - and politically inept.

It boils down to whether you want to punish the Bushies, or help push the Republic onto a better path.