Confidence in the White House

The Washington Post has an interesting article about how the Bush administration remains optimistic about the cominig election and allows a spokesman for the White House explain why. Within the article is the following paragraph:

The question is whether this is a case of justified confidence -- based on Bush's and Rove's electoral record and knowledge of the money, technology and other assets at their command -- or of self-delusion. Even many Republicans suspect the latter. Three GOP strategists with close ties to the White House flatly predicted the loss of the House, though they would not do so on the record for fear of offending senior Bush aides. [Emphasis mine]

So three GOP strategists are afraid to state their views with their names attached because it might offend someone in the White House. Think about that for a moment. If this is the fear you inspire, then all you will ever hear is an echo chamber for your own views. Everything else is forbidden. This can be deadly, and may be one of the great failings of the Bush administration.

Which, I must point out, doesn't necessarily mean that the Bushites are wrong. Three weeks is a long time in a campaign and something may turn the race around. But I would feel a lot better about the Bush White House if it could actually tolerate honest advice from its friends.