I must say that while I find the much of the WH strategy for the 2006 elections generally mysterious, this speech is particularly bizarre - I find it hard to believe it's going to attract "moderate Republican" and independent votes, as as is obvious from comments here it infuriates much of the "base". Rove is supposed to be a master tactician, from the WH perspective why not just let the issue slide until after the election, instead of essentially declaring war with as powerful faction of his own party?
No one is closer the President, it's hard it's believe Rove is a loose cannon on this issue...is it possible that the President, who we know tends to take opposition very personality and occasional see it as “disloyalty”, is personalizing his disagreements with congressional Republicans on this one.
If so, I can't see see anything by trouble ahead.