Josh Marshall on the WH-directed smear campaign against Clark

[diplomats]

The backdrop to the Clark-bashing from the White House and its helpers. This from Charlie Cook's weekly newsletter ...

For the White House, it is particularly important that Clark's credibility be impeached as soon as possible. President Bush now has a 40 percent disapproval rating on "handling foreign policy and terrorism." That is without a Democrat with any credibility in national security having thrown a punch. A credible Clark could inflict some very serious damage on this president, particularly after Bush's admission last week that there was no direct connection between the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and Saddam Hussein. ... . The Bush campaign cannot afford to have a credible Clark throwing fastballs at them for the next 15 months, whether he is the nominee, running mate or sitting on the sidelines.
This isn't rocket science, people. This is how they operate. Don't think it's random. If you go over to the Fox News website, you can see their featured video clip with Brit Hume repeating the ridiculous Standard-peddled phone log canard: "White House phone logs suggest Wesley Clark is telling tales once again." You've seen this before. ... The only question is whether the legit press gets dragged into it, as they have in the past.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com

[Cappurr]

1. He has a good story (long) on the WH smear on Ambassador Wilson

and his wife. These guys will stop at nothing.

[Cappurr]

2. And to add to Josh's analysis...

Not only did Clark never say he called Rove (the two Republicans did) but from my understanding Clark said he spoke to colleages who were close to the administration to see if he could be of help. It was reported back to him that Rove nixed it. So Clark never said he called the WH at all. :eyes: