I was acknowledging the limited political capital we have available to spend (e.g.: the idea that we need to choose our battles, or else fall into "boy who cries wolf" space).

But I also knew that it could actually boost the standing of our party even if we fail, so our next comments can build on this common knowledge that Gonzales is an asshole and torture did happen.

Right now there are an unfortunately large number of people who see Abu Gharib as a Frat Party against Terrorism and give it a big thumbs up. Pushing this discussion into the mainstream has a big payoff in the long term, I believe.