Picking your battles is part science, part intuition. It's an intuition that Karl Rove has. It's an intuition that I don't think any Democrat has.

Calling for Rove's resignation, or on Bush to fire him, over the Plame stuff is not the right battle. You can feel the ire liberals have for the man in blogs everywhere, ones that usually say something to the effect of, "I'm so excited about this thing I can hardly see straight!!!" Hmm.

Democrats, you have a credibility problem. I can understand your knee-jerk reaction in wanting something that bears the appearance of a crime resolved. But why would you go on record calling for firings and resignations when the facts are in dispute? The Republican machine is stronger than you are in every respect. All you do when you jump on the air to express your premature evaluation is push the Right more resolute. If you'd shut up and let things take their course (let the media freak out, but yourselves tout the "ongoing investigation" bit), maybe Republicans wouldn't start up their Discreditation Brigade, see "liberal desperation" at every turn, and be slightly more willing to listen to you when important issues like Iraq, Supreme Court nominees, and energy topics come up.

And maybe your jealousy and ire over somebody like Rove would be just a little less transparent. And maybe you'd have a better chance of reclaiming some leadership. Maybe.