Looking out for #1

Guess who's decided that backing the President should be the first priority of Republican senators, rather than uncovering the truth:

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.

Rove is putting forth the idea to Senators that a vote against King George will damage the GOP's chances this fall. One would think the opposite were also true - that inaction on a President violating the law and spying on Americans would show true partisan colors and the inability of Congress to it's job would also have negative impact.

One would hold out hope that political issues could be put aside for the hearings. After all, a great man once said:

In a system of two parties, two chambers, and two elected branches, there will always be differences and debate. But even tough debates can be conducted in a civil tone, and our differences cannot be allowed to harden into anger. To confront the great issues before us, we must act in a spirit of goodwill and respect for one another -- and I will do my part.

So it's a chance for the President to stand up and follow through on his State of the Union address by reigning in Karl, or to show the people he is still all hat and no cattle. Any bets on what he'll choose?