Howard Kurtz on the uber media strategy in the White House:
I happen to think the president is giving the other side an extra month to build a case against his nominee (if that’s what Democrats and liberals are inclined to do). But from the administration’s point of view, media chatter about Roberts is probably superior to media chatter about whether Rove should be fired.
: MEANWHILE… Over at Kos they’re trying to find the silver lining and that’s how to lose well….
Acbonin says that the filibuster and dragging out other nominations worked; that this is a victory.
Steve M adds in a comment to that post that the Democrats need to lose this battle well:
But there are good losses too, and this is the concept that many refuse to accept. You can lose in a way that makes people sympathize with the principle you fought for. You can lose in a way that sets the stage to make a compelling case later. If you send a clear message to the American people that “we oppose Roberts because X will happen if he is confirmed,” and then X does happen, now you have your campaign issue for 2008, 2012, and beyond. “Elect Democrats so we can roll back X and make sure it never happens again.”
And Kos chimes in:
I see in Roberts someone who can help Democrats draw clear battle lines for the American public. It’ll allow us to define who we are and who they are, and drive home the point that elections do matter, that there really is a difference between the Democratic and Republican parties.
