Don't Fuck With Us

Karl's putting the word out:

The White House has been twisting arms to ensure that no Republican member votes against President Bush in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation of the administration's unauthorized wiretapping.

Congressional sources said Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove has threatened to blacklist any Republican who votes against the president. The sources said the blacklist would mean a halt in any White House political or financial support of senators running for re-election in November.

"It's hardball all the way," a senior GOP congressional aide said.

The sources said the administration has been alarmed over the damage that could result from the Senate hearings, which began on Monday, Feb. 6. They said the defection of even a handful of Republican committee members could result in a determination that the president violated the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Such a determination could lead to impeachment proceedings.

Over the last few weeks, Mr. Rove has been calling in virtually every Republican on the Senate committee as well as the leadership in Congress. The sources said Mr. Rove's message has been that a vote against Mr. Bush would destroy GOP prospects in congressional elections.

There's got to be more to it than this. I mean, Arlen Specter's never running for re-election again in his life. Of course, that didn't stop him with regards to Alito, and he wouldn't let Abu Gonzales testify under oath today.

It's more than funding blackmail here. Remember the handpicked Mr. Frist is Majority Leader. We must be talking stripping committee assignments, chairmanships, who knows? Maybe some doctored pictures with live girls or dead boys?

By the way, doesn't this part of the article sound like the kiss of death:

Mr. Rove is leading the White House campaign to help the GOP in November’s congressional elections. The sources said the White House has offered to help loyalists with money and free publicity, such as appearances and photo-ops with the president.

Those deemed disloyal to Mr. Rove would appear on his blacklist. The sources said dozens of GOP members in the House and Senate are on that list.

With his poll numbers, does anyone really WANT an appearance from the President at their campaign event at this point?

Not J.D. Hayworth:

IMUS: Would you just answer my question, would you like [President Bush] to come to Arizona and cut campaign commercials and run them on those TV stations everywhere?

REP. HAYWORTH: In a word, no. At this time.

Keep working the phones, Karl. Reality might set in.