Giuliani’s comment that he, basically, was also a 9/11 rescue worker threatens to bring back with a vengeance memories of Rudy’s pre-9/11 personality. Immediately his pronouncement, the firefighters shot back, memorably: “On 9/11 all he did was run. He got that soot on him, and I don’t think he’s taken a shower since.” And today [...]

After the Rove news, the story that grabbed my attention this morning was the Washington Post‘s exposé on the constellation of organizations controlled by right-wing luminary Linda Chavez and her husband Christopher Gersten. Matthew Mosk reports that the foundations and PACs operated by the couple and their immediate family have raised tens of millions over [...]

Paul Mirengoff has an interesting assessment of why the Tommy Thompson campaign failed. It’s certainly true that Thompson (a) had real, valuable and creative governing experience but was (b) charismatically challenged to the point of near-paralysis. But there were two other factors in Thompson’s demise as well: First, being a governor isn’t as important as [...]

• Romney pet’s “airtight” carrier was totally humane… except if it really was “airtight,” right? [C&L] • I think an intervention is warranted: Chris Matthews told CNBC’s Erin Burnett: “[Y]ou’re beautiful” and “[y]ou’re a knockout,” before closing the interview by saying, “It’s all right getting bad news from you.” [Media Matters] • And then there’s [...]

Well, this is a surprise. I thought Karl would be there to turn out the lights and write naughty graffiti on the walls to greet the new administration in 2009. Some hints about why Rove is actually leaving can be found in this excellent piece in The Atlantic by Josh Green, in which it is [...]