Akkam’s Razor

I want to take a minute to provide a contrarian viewpoint on Attytood's rant about Rove and Bush orchestrating the Democratic Wave and playing the role of ringer…

[Updated: Hullaballo basically dismantles the Rove as boy-genius regarding "the math" and details specific missteps here.  That effectively squashes any plans of orchestrated conspiracy.}

1. Weldon investigatory leaks from a BushCo led US Department of Justice?
2. Mark Foley and the Predatorgate leak from a Republican staffer?
3. Presidential visibility via press conferences despite his unpopularity?
4. Putting Rumsfeld before the cameras prior to the election?
5. Presidential visibility via campaign appearances despite his unpopularity?
6. "Heckuva job" for Cheney and Rumsfeld?
7. Numerous Rove missteps.
8. Things happening outside of White House control…

There's a couple things you should see here.  For starters, not all Republicans are heartless reptiles.  We've heard A LOT about the various Jack Abramoff-releated investigations.  It is possible that some career USDOJ folk were tired of some unethical behaviors falling below the radar of the Justice System and being ignored by a party-before-country Congress might have felt the need to try Weldon in the court of public opinion?  Similarly, could Republican staffers who honestly were worried about the kids, dismayed by the leadership (and the party's) refusal to take action decide to take action themselves?

As far as Presidential and Rumsfeld appearances, what else do they do?  The President always supports those of his party.  For the President not to go out is just as bad on the other side, and an admission of Bush's failure.  That similarly can't happen.  And besides, the feeling is that the base and moderate Republicans won't hold their nose and pick Democrats.  Although we all know what "Heckuva Job" means in Bush-speak (I suspect that Cheney might be feeling a little nervous, I wonder how he got along with the old man?), again, what can Bush say.  To not stand behind his guys is a sign of weakness.

As far as Rovian missteps, the same goes for the White House in general, don't be suprised when you are blindsided.  When your staff is full of nothing but bootlickers and sycophants and any dissension from the consensus is punished, don't be suprised when things don't turn out as you had planned.

And as far as things happening outside of White House control, such as various leaks and hoping for a friendly place to testify…say, for instance, that slide from a Powerpoint presentation that indicated that Iraq was sliding back towards chaos - it's not possible that came from the military, did it?  Especially since BushCo appears to be getting ready to lay the blame at the generals feet?

I suspect that the next two years will be the Revenge of the Bureaucrat, provided Democrats can get their act together and make a safe venue for whistleblowers.