Reconsidering the Chaos Theory in Politics

I'm beginning to think Karl Rove and George W. Bush represent a "disorganizing princicple" in American politics. How else to explain gaffes that an intern wouldn't make?

Senator Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and several Democrats on the committee said Sunday that they were considering calling the evangelical conservative James C. Dobson to testify on what he has been told about Harriet E. Miers, the president's Supreme Court nominee.

"If Dr. Dobson knows something that he shouldn't know or something that I ought to know, I'm going to find out," Mr. Specter said Sunday in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on the ABC News program "This Week."

In response to a later question, Mr. Specter added, "If there are back-room assurances and if there are back-room deals and if there is something which bears upon a precondition as to how a nominee is going to vote, I think that's a matter that ought to be known by the Judiciary Committee and the American people."

Mr. Dobson, the influential founder of the conservative evangelical group Focus on the Family, has said he is supporting Ms. Miers's nomination in part because of something he has been told but cannot divulge. He has not disclosed the source of the information, but he has acknowledged speaking with Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, about the president's pick before it was announced.

The spectre (sorry!) of Dobson being called to testify by Specter, is one worth enjoying for awhile. Especially as it is very likely to come true. (Quid pro quo? Wow, hadn't even thought of that one yet! Karl's desperation just becomes clearer and clearer. And, apparently, with good reason, too!)