The dem pack, though still one short of a full football squad, is ready to play ball. And the other side finally has someone to sink their teeth into. The waterboy just went to go wake up the defensive coordinator, K. Rove, who had been day dreaming for the last few weeks about Dr. Dean's ascension. Now that Wes is on the field, Rove can stop playing zone defense and start implementing some double coverage on the former general. And Rove is in good shape, 'cause he has a $200mm budget to play with, while Wes can barely afford new shin pads.

We believe that Wes will be hit hard negative by the conservative talk show circuit. There will be action on Drudge, column inches by Safire and noise on the O'Reilly factor. And it will work to remove Wes' halo, but Rove's spinsters should know that tying the General to the Clintons is not a productive strategy. Al didn't lose because the Bushies connected him to Clinton, Al lost because he didn't tie himself to Clinton (especially in Arkansas). The more the Rovians seek to bundle Wes with the man who gave him his walking papers, the more Wes will seem to be the anointed man. And Rove knows that he'd rather run against the Doctor than the General in '04. (Aside: Can someone get the interns to order some General?)

Meanwhile 19% of polled dems are still waiting for Hill or Al to come riding in on a white "stalking horse." DSBPI does not rule out either of these options, but thinks that Clinton is more likely than Gore to make the play.

Game on.