The Politics of Character Assassination, Reprise 0
They’re back, accusing those who disagree with them of being treasonous:
To cultivate fear for partisan gain is never a political tactic to be proud of, but Rove’s prescription of naked fearmongering is just plain reprehensible when the nation faces a shifting array of genuine, serious threats. This is a moment for ethical politicians — and, yes, these days that seems like an oxymoron — to speak honestly about what dangers have receded, what new dangers have emerged, and how the imperatives of liberty and security can be balanced.
The Post editorial board:
The Inky:
Thus said chief presidential adviser Karl Rove last week. True to his partisan form, Rove then went on to claim that ‘some important Democrats clearly disagree.
Rove clearly has that wrong. The objections are not to the idea of spying on al-Qaeda. It’s about the unaccountable, constitutionally dubious way the Bush administration put that idea into practice.
I cannot improve on their words.