I wish Republicans would just admit that Bush has basically got to defend Rove out of loyalty rather than trying to smear and dance their way around "Plamegate." On the loyalty thing:

Few presidents have had closer advisers than Rove inside the White House. And few counselors have been as responsible for a president's political success.

Those who have watched the Rove-Bush relationship from its Texas days say it's inconceivable that the president would throw his trusted adviser overboard if no law has been violated.

"Loyalty is numero uno with George Bush," said Royal Masset, a Republican consultant in Austin. "He would be disloyal to Rove if he fired him over something where he felt Rove was acting in his interest."