Karl Rove Uses Active-Duty Military for Partisan Political Purposes? Say It Ain't So!

Americablog reports from Robert Novak via Talking Points Memo that:

Raul Damas, associate director of political affairs at the White House, has been on the phone directly to Republican county chairmen to arrange local speeches by active duty military personnel to talk about their experiences in Iraq. To some Republican members, this unusual venture connotes a desire to go directly to the people to sell the President's position without having to deal with Members of Congress. . . . . .

The phone calls to individual county chairmen by White House aide Damas is interpreted by some Capitol Hill Republicans as continuing the administration's policy of non-cooperation [on sharing information with Congress]. Damas, who until last year was a Republican National Committee staffer, did not inform governors, state chairmen or members of Congress that he was sending on-duty soldiers into their states to speak in their districts. Damas did not return my telephone call for comment.

Well . . .

As long as those active-duty soldiers contacting Republican county chairmen are Military Recruiters, Operation Yellow Elephant fully supports this joint effort of the Pentagon and the White House to help our governing party fulfill its national leadership responsibilities to set a good example for the rest of us.