When it comes to winning over American voters, the Republicans have made some big mistakes. They know it. The Democrats know it. Virtually every political analyst in the country knows it.
And right now, Democrats are practically dancing in the streets, hurling "I told you so's" at every passing GOPer. With Alberto Gonzales out and the Katrina aniversary upon us, a feeding frenzy is underway that will likely last all week long. The Democrats are delighted to see the White House reeling, President Bush increasingly alone, and Republican candidates struggling to define their messages about the war in Iraq.
But consider this question: Which party will really benefit from the Gonzales departure in the long run?
Karl Rove and Gonzales were the Dems' favorite, highly-visible targets, and now they are gone. Gone with them? The easy headlines. The late-night riffs about them from comedians. The heat that was driving the investigations into their conduct.
The Bush White House is still under a lot of pressure, and certainly Republicans don't like having to throw their own overboard. But cranking it up just got a little tougher for the Democrats.
The Raw Politics Read: Watch for the Republicans to take their licks this week, but by the weekend, Republicans could mount a counterattack, with two fewer weak spots in their armor.
-- By Tom Foreman, CNN Correspondent