White House "Slime and Defend" In C.I.A. Leak Inquiry: "The White House encouraged Republicans to portray the former diplomat at the center of the case, Joseph C. Wilson IV, as a partisan Democrat with an agenda and the Democratic Party as scandalmongering. At the same time, the administration and the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill worked to ensure that no Republicans in Congress break ranks and call for an independent inquiry outside the direct control of the Justice Department.
'It's slime and defend,' said one Republican aide on Capitol Hill, describing the White House's effort to raise questions about Mr. Wilson's motivations and its simultaneous effort to shore up support in the Republican ranks."

What a disreputable lot we have in the White House. And read on to this part of the story:

""Joe Wilson is not an apolitical person himself," said Ed Gillespie, the chairman of the Republican National Committee. "He's someone who feels passionately about politics, is a supporter of John Kerry's campaign, a maxed-out contributor, and wants to endorse him given the opportunity. He has spoken to a Win Without War rally, one of the most radical anti-Bush groups out there."

Well, what do you make of that? Win Without War--full of those radical mainstream members of Mr. Bush's own church, veterans for peace, non-violent buddhists, unitarians and ex-congressmen. They are really a danger to the country aren't they Mr. Gillespie? Talk about slime!
- posted by geoff @ #