In other words, there are still limits, at least for now, on a PR strategy based on the propaganda playbook originally developed by the two Joes (Stalin and Goebbels). And that’s some comfort — even if the Plame scandal isn’t in the same category as ginning up a phony WMD threat or turning an entire war into a closely held corporation.
Back to Main
July 19, 2005
WB: Here Comes the Cavalry
Comments
“Houston, we have a problem…”
The original idea was to launch the Supreme Court nominee when the new batch of Abu Ghraib photos and videos, FOIAed by ACLU, will hit the public on Friday evening.
Now to come out with a candidate and even, as current reports suggest, with Judge Edith Clement is a very, very defensive move.
(There is nothing on the record to discuss about Judge Edith Clement. She is conservative, yes, that’s known, but there is no major opinion of her public. Any discusssion and real press coverage about her could only come during the hearings. So it will be just a one day news fog – not a sufficient multi week smokescreen)
So maybe they will come out with another candidate – just to get the Dems (who will fall into that trap) really mad and their base on fire and to keep the clock running for Rove.
Bush’s wife said: “It should be a female judge”, so it will be a female judge. But there are other bitches worse than Clement available to be burned.
Interesting – lets see how much traction the new Abu Ghraib pictures will get – not enough I guess, at least not in the US. But it will be enough to get another half dozent of Al Qaeda batallions mobilized.
I’m reserving judgement on the supposed awakening of the press corp. My money is on a slide back into inertia soon. Here’s what will break their back: Rove, nor any other major White House player, is indicted for any crime. The bellicose wails for retractions and apologies from the Right will have the MSM scrambling for the bunkers. Then we’ll be treated to much publicized naval gazing and Ratheresque begging for a return to a seat at the table. All in all worthy of a good drunk and puke binge upon reviewing the wreckage……..
Posted by: steve duncan | Jul 19 2005 20:00 utc | 2
Bang on about the diversion. See it coming. But the charm? Don’t how much of him grinning his ass off I can stand. He was only half-assed to begin with, so will he just disappear?
Posted by: ken melvin | Jul 19 2005 20:08 utc | 3
Specter is getting chemotherapy now, and previously said that he would probably start hearings in September. Will there be pressure from the WH to start sooner?
If not, it is hard to see how a SC nomination will give more than a few days respite from Plame stories, as billmon says. If WH hopes breaking the momentum of Plame will quiet it, well, there are probably more little leaks coming to revive Plame when it seems to flag.
Another aim in nominating a Justice now may be to recast the WH in a leadership position and move the spotlight back to Bush. They have been in a defensive or negative posture for months now, like a fat gorilla leaning against the team on a 5 man-togaggin, but hardly steering- on Iraq, global warming, G8, social security, Bolton. The flurry of body blows on Plame in the past couple of weeks only highlights this weakened position.
Posted by: small coke | Jul 19 2005 20:13 utc | 4
I think this gives Rove/Plame a one-news-cycle break. Maybe two.
Things are starting to pile up this year where the Bushies have wound up on the wrong side from practically everybody: Social Security, Terry Schiavo, and outing Plame are the big ones. And bankruptcy too – though since so many Dems went along on that, it’s not like we can capitalize.
But they’re starting to lose their mojo. Finally.
Posted by: RT | Jul 19 2005 20:18 utc | 5
Am hard pressed to see that the MSM has changed. Fox is covering this — because they must shout out WH defensive talking points. The public pays attention to and the MSM covers anything that Fox covers. The MSM has been offering up defenses for Rove as well — there is no evidence that a crime was committed and their opinion is that Rove, as Bush’s closest advisor, survives. The difference is that even more than in the Schiavo case, the public isn’t buying the rightwing slop, and the MSM is only trying not to turn them off. The public has watched enough spy thrillers to understand that Rove blew the cover of a female spy, and they find that disgusting.
Posted by: Marie | Jul 19 2005 20:33 utc | 6
Judge Edith Clement
The wingnuts hate this person………not pandering to the base.
Posted by: Cloned Poster | Jul 19 2005 20:34 utc | 7
First, while Tom Cruise does make some shitty movies, his Matt L was spot on about to many kids getting drugged.
I do not think the diversion will last long. Todays press breifing is at Raw Story and the MSM pretty well called beam me up Scotty a liar.
We need to repeat over and over that the WH is full of traitors. Isn’t that what they do to liberals and progressives? It’s time to turn the tables.
The line should be, anyone supporting the oputing of a cia agent is a traitor along with the leaker. So Limblowhard, your a traitor.
This, the Shaivo affair and SS show just how far out of touch with mainsteam US values Bushies WH really is. That’s right, misplaced values.
Posted by: jdp | Jul 19 2005 20:37 utc | 8
The public, in its amusing naivete, seems to believe that leaking classified information about CIA employees in wartime is wrong
Almost equally amusing is the same public’s quaint observation that if Rove didn’t really do anything wrong, why did he cover-up his actions for two years?
Posted by: bcf | Jul 19 2005 20:44 utc | 9
What?
You mean only there were only two Joe’s involved in writing that playbook?
I could have sworn that guy from Wisconsin was involved in putting together the 3rd edition.
In this hour of peace and quiet, a moment of mere speculation: allowing that Cheney wanted to out Plame, and that Rove was his “go-to” guy for planting such things in the press, we should also bear in mind that Rove would have been reluctant to do so. He undoubtedly knew some of the legal implications involved, and certainly knew that a wounded CIA would be furious in response, posing problems of its own. And certainly Rove would have known that he was far more vulnerable than Cheney to legal and institutional redress. How, then, to stay out of harm’s way while doing as Cheney insisted?
Posted by: alabama | Jul 19 2005 21:40 utc | 11
Rove, in the first place, would have to have demanded that he not initiate a leak by himself, only verifying such leaks as reporters asked him about. Cheney would have to inaugurate the leak himself (and would have done so by means of his gunsel, Lewis Libby). But could Rove reallly count on Cheney and friends not to betray him when the heat of the law was applied? For insurance, Rove needed a back-up figure other than Libby to whom he could point as a source, and an obvious candidate for that figure would be the eager and and active Judith F. Miller. She could be counted on to “leak” the story to Rove, provided someone leaked it to her in the first place (and that would be Libby again). I therefore surmise that Libby leaked to Miller (along with other reporters), that Miller leaked to Rove, and that Rove himself “outed” Miller to Fitzgerald in the grand jury proceedings, insisting that she, and she only, would have had the means and background to know about Valerie Plame. Miller, then, would have gone to jail to protect Libby (from Rove?), remaining obstinately silent….
Posted by: alabama | Jul 19 2005 21:41 utc | 12
Yep that sounds about right ‘bama. I suppose eventually we will see how correct you are.
Posted by: rapt | Jul 19 2005 21:53 utc | 13
The WH is trying to stall and run out the clock on this crime until Dec. 2007. Then it will be pardons all around.
Posted by: Bubb Rubb | Jul 19 2005 22:07 utc | 14
It’s too late. It’s a visceral, psycholgical thing that has bitten the public. It’s now a cliffhanger. The people will follow this just to see the pages turn. And it’s got the titillating elements they crave. The longer it takes, the better, as people get more involved, and before they know it, will demand that justice be done.
This is a story that they might actually be able to keep their attention on, thus feeding the press to deliver, and trumping the distractions.
Posted by: jm | Jul 19 2005 23:03 utc | 15
FYI, Billmon has a new post up about Westmoreland. And also, rumor now has it that the nominee will not be Clement, but the other Edith (Jones) or Luttig.
Posted by: Leslie in CA | Jul 19 2005 23:41 utc | 16
It’s too late. It’s a visceral, psycholgical thing that has bitten the public. It’s now a cliffhanger. The people will follow this just to see the pages turn. And it’s got the titillating elements they crave. The longer it takes, the better, as people get more involved, and before they know it, will demand that justice be done.
This is a story that they might actually be able to keep their attention on, thus feeding the press to deliver, and trumping the distractions.
Posted by: jm | July 19, 2005 07:03 PM | #
Well, Pat Fitzgerald is really in charge of the timetable of this thing. Unless of the course the press continue to dish out the little tidbits that they know and aren’t telling. Maybe a whistleblower will come forward and finger Rove as the most evil person in the WH. Who knows what will happen. I predict that we will see some movement in personnel in the WH at the end of summer. Scotty may be out, Card out too.
Posted by: Bubb Rubb | Jul 19 2005 23:52 utc | 17
bubb Rubb,
Absolutely correct. Fitzgerald is controlling the clock. And from what I understand, He has a very good sense of timing. I know he is slow, methodical, and patient. And secretive, as we are witnessing.
I think this is extremely fortuitous since it will build up speculation as so many people get into the guessing game and try to solve the growing mystery. It will take on a life of its own.
My hope is that Fitzgerald is dramatic enough to deliver a great show.
I’m sure the personnel will change, and I think once that starts, it will have that everlovin’ domino effect.
The crimes in question are so vast that I don’t see how it’s possible for justice not to prevail to some extent. This is a great test for our justice system, which this political mafia has been unable to gain control over. The Schiavo case was a shocking reminder.
At this point, I can’t help but trust the process. Something is different here.
Posted by: jm | Jul 20 2005 0:05 utc | 18
Err- didn’t see this mentioned yet- MSM going ape shit over AP revealing the WH Supreme nominee- Roberts. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050719/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_bush (god, check out the look on Chimperor’s face in the accompanying photo)
Also- did you check out the Rude Pundit today? Rude One is on (as usual) with the analysis about the General Public actually paying attention to this one. http://rudepundit.blogspot.com
Basically saying GP has been indoctrinated by years of spook lore and legend- so they get this one. No happy-happy with Rovester.
haha
Well- it IS like having a good book. The posts here have been GREAT= and Billmon, I don’t think I could make it through a day without visiting the whiskey bar. I’m the quiet lush in the corner…
Posted by: Uppity Gal in Tampa | Jul 20 2005 0:30 utc | 19
alabama…if your idea is close to the truth…then maybe Rove ACTUALLY FELT BAD when he told Cooper..”I’ve said too much.” Maybe…for a split second……
Posted by: aaron pacy | Jul 20 2005 3:06 utc | 21
And there should be no worries about a distraction….time is on the side of the curious. People are just now starting to get the “credibility gap” thing. Slowly. Right now..they have a vague idea of what is going on here. They don’t know all the details..because the spin keeps them from wanting to grasp it. They DO know that the WH has been sitting on some info that the public only found out about because some reporter was going to go to jail. If the WH had nothing to hide…then why sit on the answer to this puzzle.
I actually think the nomination is great timing. The narrative of “White House hid the full truth from us.” is set. We still have a few months before we hear from Fitzgerald. If no indictment comes down…then we ask..”Why was all this money wasted on the White House hiding? If no one did anything wrong then why didn’t you just tell us what happened back in 2003? Instead…you said the idea was ridiculous and that these guys weren’t involved. We now KNOW they were involved…but we had to pay a prosecutor AND throw a reporter in jail to find out!!!” If an indictment DOES come down….well then we’ll be talking about this for months….nay….years!
So if the story is off of the front pages for now…don’t sweat it. As soon as the grand jury is done…people will go..”Oh. This is that story where the White house hid stuff. The jury’s out huh? So what do they say?”
Posted by: aaron pacy | Jul 20 2005 3:24 utc | 22
TPM has a PDF of a letter sent by Larry Johnson, Vince Cannistraro, Ray McGovern and other retired case officers asking the House and the Senate to not regard the Plame situation as a political issue.
The disclosure of Ms. Plame’s name was a shameful event in American history and, in our professional judgment, may have damaged U.S. national security and poses a threat to the ability of U.S. intelligence gathering using human sources. Any breach of the code of confidentiality and cover weakens the overall fabric of intelligence, and, directly or indirectly, jeopardizes the work and safety of intelligence workers and their sources.
Wonder if any of these people will be talking heads on Fox or CNN?
Posted by: fauxreal | Jul 20 2005 4:05 utc | 23
fauxreal…that is one of the coolest screen names I have ever encountered. It is cool on multiple levels. I’d steal it…if I was a Republican.
Posted by: aaron pacy | Jul 20 2005 4:16 utc | 24
aaron pacy, let me share some more thoughts of my own in this hour of peace and quiet: since Rove can’t abide his eclipse at the hands of Fitzgerald, he’ll have to give folks a compelling reason to come to his rescue–posing the threat (unstated) that he’ll take a lot of people with him if he has to go down himself (and Rove has the unshakeable fantasy, I’m convinced, that Fitzgerald can’t go forward without his active cooperation). Cheney, therefore, will have to work very hard at keeping Rove out of trouble–meaning, in effect, that he’ll have to let some of his own people take a hit on Rove’s behalf. And who, I wonder, would serve as Cheney’s sacrificial lambs, if not a few of those mid-level neo-cons who actively participated in leaks, stove-piping and the rest–Ledeen, Miller, and AIPAC come to mind?
Posted by: alabama | Jul 20 2005 4:21 utc | 25
And this for the benefit of whom? For a gang of Republican party functionaries working with Rove on the domestic side? Cheney, I think, would refuse in the end to go through with such an arrangement; and should this end-point arrive (perhaps it already has), the Administration would suffer a terrific split between its domestic right-wing base and its neo-con foreign policy machine–always, of course, in the form of leaks to a lean and hungry press. An open split of this kind would turn the White House into a greater vacuum than it already is (and yes, it’s a vacuum even now, all appearances to the contrary notwithstanding). But Rove and Cheney don’t care: neither of them, finally, has a deep attachment to Bush (Cheney being a faithful spouse to his sense of injured merit, and Rove to Lee Atwater’s ghost).
Posted by: alabama | Jul 20 2005 4:21 utc | 26
The thing that amazes me, and has been commented on before, is just how spectacularly Karl Rove has hijacked the whole Republican party establishment such that he is now using it as his own personal slime-and-defend machine.
Some has said that the amazing part about this is that it shows just how much control Rove has over the party.
I don’t concur. I think it shows a total understanding in the Republican party of just how important Rove is to W’s presidency. Without Rove, there is not W Presidency. And if these guys hope to win in 2008, it is going to be a lot harder if they have to run against a Democrat and incumbent, just like Al Gore.
They allowed Rove to become indispensible to the party and now they are paying the price.
Posted by: Bubb Rubb | Jul 20 2005 5:34 utc | 27
I tend to agree with you Bubb Rubb. They’ve put so much control in Rove’s hands that whatever skill they might have had at the things he does, has atrophied. Along with their confidence. And wouldn’t they be afraid of exposing the sham of the Bush Presidency without Rove?
It has already affected them psychologically, I think. They are showing fear. It seems to me that if they had and wanted to show confidence, Rove would be gone by now. I think this alone is a huge mistake, but they can’t help themselves. Unless they’ve got some great scheme cooked up, but I doubt anything will work for them now.
I also agree that the SC nomination is very good timing. Let the people, who really aren’t interested in this, take a break, while the wheels of the law keep turning. And the suspense simmers.
Remember, the SC story was the biggest before with the most fear attached, but now it seems rather small and insignificant.
Posted by: jm | Jul 20 2005 5:56 utc | 28
I also think Rove supported Edith for the Supreme Court, and primed the press for her appointment. Next thing he knows, it’s Roberts. I think Boyden Gray pushed for Roberts and prevailed–Boyden Gray working in concert with Card…
Posted by: alabama | Jul 20 2005 5:59 utc | 29
Justin Raimondo’s take on the Plame-Rove case rightly, in my opinion, directs attention to the web of treason which enmeshes the Bush administration, but not it alone.
On the substance of the Rove case, I, for one, find the outing of Ms. Plame to be the one patriotic act we can ascribe to “Karlemagne”. The Agee law is designed to protect CIA operatives, who, as agents of a clandestine police state organization are eminently worthy of being brought to light. If this seems extreme, put “KGB” or “Mukabarat” in place of CIA and think about it. Clandestinity, like overweening pride or debauched venery, will, alas, always be with us, but giving it legal sanction, or, worse yet, elevating it to a stately virtue is fatal to the body politic of an open society.
Posted by: Hannah K. O’Luthon | Jul 20 2005 6:14 utc | 30
Shoot alabama–
Will have to think on this one.
Rove as stoolie and, what’s more, one who thinks he can call the shots to the end…
Now that is a pretty interesting scenario to ponder.
A closing thought for tonight, RossK, and I find it rather shocking. It’s this: if Rove is shooting it out with Cheney–the guy who gave us this war–then I have to start cheering for Rove. I just hope he’s reached an understanding with all those infuriated CIA, State and FBI types who arranged for his appointment in the first place….And this also means I’m in bed with Karl, even as I write this post. I hope he doesn’t confuse me with that Gannon guy. Hell, I’m sixty-six years of age, and was never exactly “buff”.
Posted by: alabama | Jul 20 2005 7:03 utc | 32
GP has been indoctrinated by years of spook lore and legend- so they get this one.
Exactly, they all saw Mission Impossible, which is about what? Stealing the list that shows the true identities of the CIA’s NOC operatives.
Karl really should try to get out to the movies more often.
Posted by: Billmon | Jul 20 2005 7:04 utc | 33
billmon, you da man. Thanks for laying it out in a form that I can follow and understand.
W.
Posted by: Frank Kelly | Jul 20 2005 8:13 utc | 34
At Larouche’s EIR site (tin-foil hat not obligatory this time) Jeffrey Steinberg gives a slight variation on the Plame outing, most notable perhaps for revealing a minor resonance in American history: WHIGs tend to become Know-nothings as pressure intensifies.
Posted by: Hannah K. O’Luthon | Jul 20 2005 14:39 utc | 35
Democrats need to take a clue from Miss Chokesondick, the fourth grade teacher at South Park Elementary. When the children say “Suck My Balls,” , you say “Present Them.” The fourth graders running this country need some real authority. It’s time to give it to them.
Posted by: chef | Jul 20 2005 15:56 utc | 36
more stienberg
an interesting 11/03 piece w/a few juicy details
The areas now known to be under investigation by the Senate panel include: * The role of the Office of Special Plans (OSP), the Pentagon unit under Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith that was tasked with Iraq war planning and pre-war intelligence assessments. The OSP was headed by William J. Luti, who came to the Pentagon from the Office of Vice President Dick Cheney in mid-2001, where he was a Special Advisor for National Security Affairs and Mideast Policy. The chief intelligence analyst in the unit, Abram Shulsky, assembled a team of full-time and “personal service contract” employees, drawn from the neo-conservative scene in Washington.
There are widespread allegations that the OSP conducted “out of channel” intelligence gathering, drawing upon Ahmed Chalabi’s Iraqi National Congress, a group widely discredited in the eyes of the CIA, the State Department, and even the Defense Intelligence Agency; and on intelligence flows from a parallel rogue intelligence unit created in the Office of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, at Feith’s initiative. One key question posed by Senator Rockefeller and others on the intelligence panel is whether the raw intelligence generated by the OSP went through normal intelligence community vetting, before being passed along to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Cheney. According to Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski (USAF, ret.), who served in the Near East and South Asia policy shop at the Pentagon that housed OSP, at staff meetings Luti had boasted that the unit was being tasked by Lewis Libby, Cheney’s national security advisor and chief of staff.
Posted by: annie | Jul 20 2005 16:22 utc | 37
ala–
Re: not buff enough….
Perhaps the puppetmaster felt the same way re: body image.
Which might explain the need to bring in hirelings to do the servicing.
Aging is cruel, RossK. And annie, I bet the OSP broke every law in the book. I’d love to know who of its members has testified before the grand jury.
Posted by: alabama | Jul 20 2005 20:09 utc | 39