Officials at W. H. discuss Bartlett or Mehlman as Rove replacements

Given the political ramifications attached to Mr. Fitzgerald's decisions, officials at the White House have begun discussing what would happen if Mr. Rove was indicted.

Among the names being discussed to take some of Mr. Rove's responsibilities should he have to step aside, an outside adviser to the White House said, are Dan Bartlett, currently Mr. Bush's counselor; Ken Mehlman, the chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Robert M. Kimmitt, the deputy Treasury secretary.

Under Justice Department regulations, it is not clear whether Mr. Fitzgerald has the authority to issue a final report, even if he wanted to, although he has operated under a broad delegation of authority, issued in a pair of letters by James B. Comey, the former deputy attorney general. Those directives gave Mr. Fitzgerald virtually the same power as the attorney general to conduct criminal inquiries.

But even the attorney general is restricted in what information he can release publicly or present to Congress when it has been obtained, as Mr. Fitzgerald has gathered it, through extensive use of a grand jury, whose proceedings are secret. Even so, some lawyers have argued that Mr. Fitzgerald could issue such a report and have said there is general authority to report his findings if they are requested by Congress.

http://nytimes.com/2005/10/19/politics/19leak.html?hp&ex=1129694400&en=adcf3adabff56617&ei=5094&partner=homepage

...Gumby back in the White House spewing more propaganda.

I say let the indictments sweep them all from office so we don't have to worry which revolting alternative might be appointed.

I really, REALLY can't stomach these pigs.

My guess is that if there are indictments, more propaganda will be a low priority. It's going to be cya 24/7 because of one big-ass investigation after another.

As opposed to KM whose mouth seems to be permanently in fellatio position. Not that there's *cough* anything wrong with that.

I saw him doing the talking head thing the other day. He came off as "reasonable" to the untrained eye. He has a low key way about him that would calm the attack dogs. He feigns openness very well.

It won't be KM, for the very same reason that it was not Drier for DeLay.

Yet all the time you know he's a lying bastid.

Where most of these GOP attack dogs love to rachet it up a notch or ten, he slows the pace, is very calm, and delivers the hurt look if someone tries to step all over his point and not permit him to finish. He's like your kind and helpful next door neighbor on the surface, who tortures small animals in his basement in the dark of night....

isn't he afraid of the Abramoff case rubbing off on him?

sheep, frankly.