This LA Times story that just hit the wires lays out the Bush Administration game plan for after the indictments hit. It's a must-read, in terms of figuring out now how to counter-react to their probable reactions.
http://www.latimes.com/...
Key grafs:
Some key elements of the post-investigation game plan have emerged, GOP advisors said:
Any indicted White House officials would immediately step down, and Bush would quickly name their successors. If Rove is indicted, more than one person might take over his many responsibilities.
The president and other White House officials would limit their public comments on the case. Outside interest groups and allies would do most of the talking.
More below the fold...
Also:
Whenever possible, Bush and other administration officials would try to change the subject. Among the issues the president plans to put atop his new agenda are spending restraint, tax changes and immigration. In addition, Bush's foreign policy advisors have discussed launching a more visible presidential effort to prod Israel and the Palestinians toward peace, one official said.
The White House would try to insulate Bush from the scandal allegations. Officials would argue that the president has not been accused of any direct involvement in the leaking of information in the CIA case or subsequent efforts to minimize the political damage. Although it is not yet clear who would coordinate the defense, several advisors said they expected Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman would be heavily involved. One official said former Cheney aide Mary Matalin was another likely participant. Neither Mehlman nor Matalin could be reached for comment.
White House officials and allies are hoping that intensive news coverage of the Fitzgerald investigation will be short-lived. On Nov. 7, they predicted, attention would shift to the Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Harriet E. Miers.
But David Gergen steps in as the voice of wisdom in the story:
"Changing the subject will not work," said David Gergen, a former aide to Presidents Reagan and Clinton. "Giving more speeches about Iraq or the state of the economy doesn't have the weight that action does.... It's dangerous for the country to have a disabled president for three years, and we're getting close to seeing that happen. I worry that they [Bush and his aides] are in denial."
I think Gergen's right. I hope they try to execute this gameplan - it's going to smack them right back in the face. And changing the subject to the Miers confirmation...you know things are bad when farce and buffoonery seem like a relief topic.
Read the whole story. Some very interesting and nuanced insight into the current Republican viewpoint on this.