"No. Mr. Rove is a certified authority on the electoral process, on politics, his track record speaks for itself. You know, his current difference of opinion with Congress is between him and Congress, and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have him here working for us."
There is no doubt that Rove is an authority ("certified" or not) on manipulating and undermining the electoral process. Nor is there doubt that Rove's track record (which as an election analyst is less than stellar) speaks for itself. Rove's track record in the White House speaks to his credibility. That's the point.
Rove, probably irritated by Moody's failure to stay on script, denied having a difference of opinion with Congress. Rove expressly asserted a claim of executive privilege. Emphasizing that he had not exercised any personal privilege not to testify (i.e., the Fifth Amendment), Rove submitted that he is merely an obedient servant, under orders from his president to keep silent about anything he may have seen or heard or said or done in the course of his executive branch employment. Including, presumably, any crimes that he witnessed or might know about.
Congressional Democrats have been slow to test the administration's extraordinarily broad interpretation of executive privilege in court, but it gives Fox cover on the subpoena question. On the question of political baggage, neither Moody nor Rove had much to say.
Wolfson filled that gap with his assurance "that [Rove] has an enormous amount to offer this audience." An enormous amount of what, exactly? Truth? From a man who refuses to testify under oath? Rove is a stranger to the truth.
Another excellent question:
Will Rove soon be conducting his political analysis from jail?
Soon, no. Maybe never, if the president pardons the entire administration on his way out the door.
