We first encountered this White House directly in 2001 and saw first hand unified uniparty government (with the brief interruption Senate-side until November 2002). Since then we have been amazed watching the liberal and moderate establishments' willful failure to understand their peril. They sat across a gloating menace devoted to their destruction, not mere defeat. Still liberals and even Republican moderates such as “The Main Street Partnership” continued to seek understanding, compromise and traditional coalition management strategies.

The result? Disaster for them and the Nation.

Some still extend an unjustified benefit of the doubt. Harold Meyerson's column today expresses puzzlement why the Administration's recent scandals date after November's calamity. He offers four possible alternatives: a) Republicans hope for rescue by a non-Bush, non-“insider” candidate in 2008 such as Rudy to replace Bush; (b) Republicans want to stall and run against Dems as “do nothings”; (c) they believe their own Kool Aid and FOX; and (d) they just can't help themselves.


Harold, bright as he is, still doesn't fully grasp the nature of those ruling this country these past 6 years. First, the Movement continues to act in its self interest. Congressional Republicans are an after the fact consideration if not considered a nuisance. Nick Calio was essentially an appendix in the White House universe. Legislative outreach dwindled still further after his departure.

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