What Political Reporters Say About Rove's Presence at Bush Press "Moment" Today

For those who failed to notice, Rove was sitting in back of Bush during the short press event ths morning, at times looking fairly amused as the president fielded - and dropped by hot shit - two questions about Mr. Rove's involvement in PlameGate.

Almost uniformly, the political reporters say his presence means one thing: the president has zero intention of getting rid of Rove, regardless of what happens. Otherwise, they say, Rove would be hidden away. Even Laura, calling in from Africa, said Rove was a close personal friend and a good guy and practically the Mother Theresa of our country.

Now, one thing that is not clear is how much this is registering with the American public. Andrea Mitchell said it's clear Bush believes the public is paying no attention to this and that if they do notice, they just think the media is "picking on" the Bushies for partisan reasons.

Yet in polls like MSNBC's the other day, those voting said 4 to 5 that he should resign or be fired. Now, granted, probably only those who know the issues would vote because they may feel strongly about the matter.

I'd like to think the public is smart enough to make the connection that Rove's smearing of Wilson's wife, CIA operative Valerie Plame, is part and parcel part of the leadup to a cooked war. Reallt, that's what it is... more Niger/Italy lies, Chalabi spin, etc., but with one big difference: endangering not only the lives of those working within Plame's WMD unit including Plame herself but also a direct and obvious attempt to shut up critics. Remember that it's the CIA the Bushies usually pick to fall on their sword.

Anyone have a sense with how well the public does "get" the Rove case?