There's nothing nastier than a cornered animal, and make no mistake, the Republicans are penned in tight.  Poll after poll shows that Bush's bad karma is wearing off on the party that enabled him to drag this country through the mud of Katrina and the blood of Iraq.  They can grin and pretend that they see some movement in their direction, but the truth is that the only Republicans showing any life are those who, like Schwarzenegger, are not just backing away from the neocon gospel, but embracing progressive positions.

Now, like a wounded bear caught in a trap... wait, bear is too nice for them.  Too impressive.  Like a ferret in a cage... um.  Like snakes on a... nah, let's not even go there.

Like skunks penned under a barn, the Republicans are doing the only thing they know -- spraying stink in all directions.