Does Christmas come in August now?

It has been quite a month. At least three times so far this August, Santa* has delivered to our door an extra-special morning newspaper.

Rove to Leave White House Post

Embattled Gonzales Resigns

G.O.P. Senator [Larry Craig] Pleaded Guilty After Restroom Arrest [for "lewd conduct"]**

All while most Washingtonians are off dreaming of sugarplums.

*Or, to be more accurate, Ben

**Does anyone else think it's kind of crazy that this took so long to break? This happened in June?

Boy genius

"Rove Blames Iraq War for Low Bush Numbers" (AP): Noting that Bush's likeability ratings are much higher than his approval ratings, Rove said today that "People like this president...They're just sour right now on the war.''

The war...the banner policy of Bush's presidency.

This is sort of like saying, "my ex still likes me...she just disapproves of my performance as a boyfriend, and that's only because she caught me in bed with her best friend right after I totaled her car."

The real sadness and irony here is that Rove is probably onto something when he suggests that likeability matters more than job approval.