When Hugh Hewitt writes in this manner to the President, you know things have gotten just about as bad as bad can be:

"At this point I take out my Harriet Miers Fan Club charter membership card and put it on the table: This push for this bill is a disaster, Mr. President. Much much worse than the Miers nomination on which you had many good arguments, or the ports deal, on which you had fewer. On this issue there is no place to stand, and you are asking your friends in the Senate to go down fighting for a bad bill."

Not to mention inconceivably, inexplicably and disgustingly attacking the Republican base that has stood by him throughout most of his political difficulties, many self inflicted, and who I now greatly fear may not have the necessary motivation needed to continue to shield him through the remainder of his term, a time during which Mr. Bush is going to need all battle shields at 100 percent.