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Does Matthew Dowd's startling public criticism of the President signal that a broader rebellion is stirring among former supporters?
By Kenneth T. Walsh
Posted 4/2/07

Most Americans probably never heard of Matthew Dowd. But his harsh criticisms of President Bush, published on Page One of the New York Times on Sunday, are rippling through the political world and causing quite a stir among bloggers of all stripes and among many Republicans in Washington.

The buzz is strong because Dowd is the first defector from Bush's political inner circle, which has always been known for its loyalty. He was Bush's chief strategist in the 2004 re-election campaign and a Bush adviser dating back to the president's years as governor of Texas. Dowd seemed to embody a central part of Bush's appeal in 2000�his track record of reaching out to the other side. Dowd said he was moved to change his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican specifically because he was so impressed with Governor Bush and his promise to be a "uniter not a divider" as president.

Why did Dowd speak out now? "I'm a big believer that in part what we're called to do�to me, by God; other people call it karma�is to restore balance when things didn't turn out the way they should have," he said. "...Just being quiet is not an option when I was so publicly advocating an election." He admits that he has endured some personal tragedies in his recent years that have given him better perspective on life and politics: the death of one of his premature twin daughters; a divorce; and now the imminent departure of his oldest son Daniel to Iraq as an Army intelligence specialist.

[Do some think the fact that his son is going to Iraq is influencing his decision?)

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070402/2dowd.htm