With "outsiders" like these...

As a blog professional, every now and then you come across a paragraph in an otherwise unremarkable story that makes your eyes open wide, like Barry Bonds's do when he sees a hanging curve coming towards the plate.

Gone from the schedule are weekly cholesterol-laden breakfasts at Rove's home where top Bush hands discussed strategy. Also missing are Sunday "message meetings" with outside thinkers like GOP Chairman Ken Mehlman, campaign pollster Matthew Dowd and superlobbyist Ed Gillespie. [ emphasis, you know]

Bejeebus, with "outsiders" like that, it's a wonder that now, unable to tap into that sage advice, the Bush administration is flounding and sinking under its own cluelessness.

And back off, Pony watchers. The cholesterol in those breakfasts probably won't take effect until well after 2008.

Via Attaturk.