Essentially the Only One

The NYT and Washington Post are reporting a surge in Republican support following the Hussein sentencing and after a week or so of relentlessly upbeat campaigning from the White House (and relentlessly negative characterization of favorite targets like Kerry).

Little matter that the Hussein decision will no effect on what is now a country at religious and tribal civil war; Bush has framed the invasion over the past years (ever since it became clear that there were no weapons of mass destruction) as ridding the world of a hated dictator, and this renewed focus on Saddam serves him well.

The question is: will voters see the big picture this time around or be caught up in a small detail that looks good? Past experience shows the current administration to be masters of this type of distraction, and it is one reason why Karl Rove is held in such awe and fear by his opponents. If the election is turned to the Republicans this time, Rove will be enshrined as the greatest political genius of all-time - even though the timing of the Saddam verdict happens to be pure coincidence!

We will see. It is in the voter's hands tomorrow.