Of course the commission isn't independent. The Democrats issued a memo describing how they would politicize it for the purpose of taking Bush down. If Clarke can be proven to have lied under oath, then this alone will be enough to give the Democrats a blow from which they will not recover this cycle.
Even if lying cannot be proven, but that Clarke is in serious error, that nevertheless would also be enough to whack the Democrats. Clarke's credibility is already being eroded because of his contrary statements. Now the GOP is squishing his name in mud with these new allegations. It appars he has had his day with the release of his book, and though leftists bought the book, neither it nor Clarke had any impact on the politics that affect the presidential election.
In a FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll for March 23-24, a whopping 65% of Americans thought Bush was still doing a good job handling terrorism, as opposed to 28% who claimed otherwise.
Gauging the immediate response to Clarke's book, only 23% found him very credible, with 29% finding him somewhat credible. 36% found him not credible at all. Now consider that this was without any GOP response to the allegations. Consider also that what has transpired since the allegations has not been corroberration of Clarke's view but proof of weakness. The media has tried very hard to ignore this, but the GOP has pushed it nicely. I suspect now that Clarke's credibility is being surgically removed, these numbers will move to Bush's favor, ultimately soiling his opponents and even the credibility of the commission itself if these events are played correctly.
Looking two-weeks ahead, I suspect you will begin to see Democrats turning against Clarke. These people are snakes. The Democrats may try to do this earlier, but the GOP needs to hold them very close to Clarke so that his poison can sink deep inside them.
Rice needs to keep up her excellent pressure. She and Powell instill a lot of confidence in Americans. They are probably the most credible of all of Bush's people. Keep them right out front, chipping consistently away at the Democrats. And for Pete's sake don't let Rumsfeld anywhere near a microphone. The guy just oozes detachment.
I thinkt the allegations against Clarke alone are causing an erosion of his credibility because they are wisely being issued in conjunction with the proven contradictions. But the media will not easily make them known. The GOP must press it very hard, using the floor of the Senate, using the airwaves of the few balanced media outlets in the country, even using forums like the one right here on SI. If the GOP can keep up the pressure, showing how Bush has been unfairly attacked with lies, then Clarke's mud will be dumped in the laps of the Democrats.
Let's see how it pans out. |
