As pointed out on several blogs, the Cheney-flap doesn't work long term for the Republicans, because they can't tie it into any larger narrative about the debates or the campaign.
BUT WE CAN. That's why it will turn and bite them.
(see how, after the fold!)
Here's the spin I'm seeing develop:
"In order to cover up Bush's gaffe at the debate, in which he LIED about his Osama comment and highlighted the administration's poor judgement in setting aside Osama to pursue Saddam, Cheney raised an angry smoke-screen. But there was no substance behind the smoke and as the air clears, the desparation of the Bush campaign is revealed. They are desparately doing anything to keep the public from thinking about their record on Osama OR on domestic issues."
This is good spin, in my opinion, because not only does it counter the Cheney thing, not only does it bring attention back to the OBL gaffe and Bush desparation, but it ties into one of our major themes for the next few weeks: BUSH'S DESPARATION. Why?
Bush has no record to run on. All he can do now is sling mud. If we can establish a theme of DESPARATION before the more serious (and yes, it will get much worse) mud begins to fly, we'll already be winning.
So get out there and spin!