See, I think that above all, THIS is the illusion they have worked hardest to maintain all along, throughout all the scandals that have arisen and fizzled. Even if 48% of Americans have seen through it, it is the thing they have struggled hardest to maintain for their own 49%. Even, deep down, for themselves. This is the secret koolaid ingredient, the thing itself. Whatever comes out, as long as the true believers believe this, cognitive dissonance will deal with the rest.

And that's the real horror for them, and the real source of their silence, their lack of a coherent response. "Well, he won't be convicted of anything" just doesn't cut it--doesn't even touch the real issue. Orange jumpsuit or no, this is the rip in the veil, the broken strap that has caused the mask to slip.

NYT: few Republicans were willing to discuss his situation on the record. Asked for comment, several Republican senators said on Monday that they did not know enough or did not want to venture an opinion.

Scott McClellan:
"That's not the way this White House operates"

Oh yes it is, though. And your silence blares it out more eloquently than the spin storm that's about to descend. In this gasping pause, left by your own shock at what you will soon be denying even to yourself, it's just sitting there in black and white. For however long it lasts, everyone who looks can see it. Your own words have left you standing there naked, like the classic anxiety dream. No-pants-in-church, that's you Scotty and it's not a dream. For this one moment everyone can see it and it's painfully obvious that you can feel those eyes all over you. That IS how you operate.