A Test of Relevance

"Whether in a slump or not, Bush or any president has extraordinary power to change the subject in Washington and indeed around the country--that is, so long as he's willing to be bold, as Bush often is."

For instance, should he choose to make some sweeping personnel changes, "Bush can create the aura and energy of a new presidency, one ready to overcome troubles and do big things again."

But by contrast, "The president shouldn't expect too much from his [recent off-the-record] sitdowns with reporters. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton tried to revive their flagging presidencies this way. They hoped to get reporters to like them or sympathize with them. The tactic failed."

Speculation Watch

As loosely-sourced and conflicting rumors swirled about the fate of White House spokesman Scott McClellan, McClellan himself gamely faced the media horde yesterday, in his daily gaggle .

"Q Have you had any thoughts that you might be leaving soon?

"MR. McCLELLAN: I don't speculate on any personnel matters.

"Q You're not speculating for yourself.

"MR. McCLELLAN: I'm focused on helping the President advance his agenda, just like the rest of the team at the White House."

Scooter Libby Watch

Pete Yost wrote Friday for the Associated Press: "Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is narrowing the description of his powers in an effort to counter calls for dismissal of the criminal case he brought against Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, defense lawyers said Friday. . . .

"The defense attorneys say assignment of unsupervised and undirected power to Fitzgerald requires that he be relieved of his duties in the investigation and that all actions he has taken be voided."

Just One Minute blogger Tom Maguire has Web-posted the Libby filing.

Firedoglake Blogger Christy Hardin Smith doesn't think much of Team Libby's argument.