Colesium On the Potomac

The media salons and corridors of power are abuzz in Washington D.C. over the news that Karl Rove - the man the president calls Turd Blossom - has been granted a stay of political execution in the CIA leak investigation.

Cynics might see the Harriet Miers debacle as evidence that the bridge is empty on this ship of state - since Rove, the putative puppet-master, has been out of the office meeting with lawyers instead of managing upwards. Even many conservatives had their patience tried by this nomination, and they see the next candidate as a chance for the president to redeem himself. Can the folks in the White House focus on the real work of government long enough to pick a more suitable candidate? Or are they glued to Fox?

The wonks, pundits, politicians and ankle-biters want blood. They can smell it in the water. Many have grown conditioned to the pattern of political acrimony and investigation that marks a second administration, and they've been led down the primrose path - and then bitterly denied - one too many times when it comes to the Bushies. Today we will know for sure - but the roaring crowd in the political coliseum might be momentary appeased by the sight of Scooter Libby, former V.P. Chief of Staff, bruised and beaten and dragged before the ravenous lions.

UPDATE: A compelling press conference from a well-spoken public official. Libby is toast. Maybe Bush should nominate Patrick Fitzgerald to SCOTUS.