The problem with the scandals Rove's been involved with: Plame, Rather, &c

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

...is that there are generally enough "layers" to it that it's difficult for the average, unmotivated American TV viewer to filter out the essence of the wrongdoing by the Republicans.

Plame investigation: since the actual offense being investigated is shrouded in mystery, it's easy for the Repubs to blast mindless "noise" talking points to add to confusion, such as about Plame "appointing" her husband to go on Niger trip etc. which are immaterial to the issue at hand.

It's easy to forget that the whole yellowcake deal was about a lie (Saddam/Niger yellowcake deal) that was used to support the essential WMD lie that was the main case for war used by shrubco. The Republicans will now claim everything that was black is white, that WMD was not an important part of the case for war, etc. and some of these talking points seem to even be suggesting that the yellowcake story was in fact TRUE (the "Wilson's report was wrong" talking point), without any clear substantiating evidence.

If anything, the publicity on this story should be used to underscore, to remind the American people that, "Hey! This 'yellowcake' story was part of the whole WMD tapestry that was weaved to scare you into war, and it worked! Remember that? WMD? Smoking gun/mushroom clouds? This is WHY WE ARE IN IRAQ RIGHT NOW! So it's pretty damn important! That's the whole reason why they were hot to punish Wilson, because he was undermining their case for war which they hadn't fully sold yet! Makes some sense in that context, eh?"

So when all this noise is being thrown about, what is the best way to distill the essence of the issue, of the wrongdoing, for the casually informed (and much more likely to be Republican voting) citizen?

[Kagemusha]

1. There isn't.

I've kept better track of this than most and I see full well the futility of it.

Basically, I stop acting like Rove is the issue. He's not the issue. If he didn't leak Plame's name, he's covering for whoever told him of her status at the CIA. It's not a Rove issue, it's a harming national security for petty political purposes issue.

Except it turns out many Americans think that political security is more significant than national security, so who cares about those CIA agents anyway.

[daydreamer]

2. Take a look at this:

http://p197.ezboard.com/ftwcrossroadsdiscussionforumfrm17.showMessage?topicID=2255.topic

[Ilsa]

3. The Mehlmans have an answer to every charge:

"Plame wasn't covert"
"Well, the CIA said she was and that's why they've asked for an investigation."
"Now they say she wasn't." (Thanks to Porter Goss)

"Wilson was sent by Plame."
"No, he was sent by Cheney."
"Prove it."

Ultimately, the fact that there were no WMD provides their motivation to lie and out the agent.

God, if they get away with this, I'll really wish I could leave the US. What corruption.