Run Out The Clock

Via Dan Froomkin:

In an excerpt from his upcoming book, McClellan wrote that Bush and Cheney, among others "were involved" in his passing along of false information about Rove and Cheney aide Scooter Libby's involvement in the leak of Plame's identity.

Writes Mulshine: "McClellan's remarks give the Democrats the perfect opportunity to haul him before a committee to finally get answers to some of the questions left hanging ever since special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald closed up shop.

"So why aren't the Democrats doing so?

"'To stand up for that, one would need a spine,' says Larry Johnson. Johnson is a former CIA agent who has been taking the lead in defending Plame, his classmate in CIA training back in 1985, against the attacks by the White House."

I know it's a popular theme to consider the Dems don't have a spine. And the net effect looks just like that.

I think Congressional Dems think they have a larger majority sewed up in 2008. They, therefore, see little need to rock the boat and doing anything to risk that advantage at this point. And I can understand their thinking.

But I think this strategy misses an important point. The American public is anxious and angry. Passivity in politics in not what they want to see. Yes, aggression (i.e. contempt of Congress charges or the above reopening of Plame) appear more risky. But I think aggressively pursuing Bush is of less risk than is perceived and have the upside of actually, like, upholding principle. We're in a time where the public wants politicians to be able to uphold principle. Be electable, yes. But be principled too.

The primaries will be interesting to see if this thesis bears out. Wins by the likes of Edwards or Hukabee will be validation in my opinion. Wins by Hillary and/or any of the other Republicans will tend to prove the Congressional conservative strategy correct. We'll see!