Another Rovian election

Jules Witcover has no problem reading the tea leaves on the meaning of Rove's change in assignments this week. He writes that it "clearly signals another harsh political campaign this fall" because Bush is freeing up Karl to work "the Rove magic of demonizing the opposition" for the one remaining Congressional election cycle during Bush's failed Presidency. From Gearing up for another (political) war by Jules Witcover Tribune Media Services 04/21/06:

It can be comfortably predicted that the Republican political strategy will be to associate Democrats seeking re-election, and Democratic challengers to Republican incumbents, with what the GOP likes to call a policy of cut-and-run in Iraq. Never mind that hardly any Democrats seeking election or re-election in November embrace it.

The challenge for the Democrats therefore is to espouse a clear and responsible position themselves on what to do in Iraq that refutes the broad-brush GOP charge of collective cowardice, and offers a supportable alternative.

The Democratic congressional leadership is moving toward a position already embraced by Kerry and other party leaders: redeploy the bulk of American forces to standby status in Kuwait or other regional state, as a way to reduce local hostility in Iraq and the rationale for much of the insurgency there.

It's at least enough of an antiwar position to highlight the disaster that Bush has created there.

Witcover also has some interesting things to say about what Rove pulled off in the 2004 campaign, smearing the war record of a genuine war hero (Kerry) on behalf of a guy with a very questionable service record (Bush).

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