When Bush offers up Hillary as a "formidable opponent" it is clear that the Republicans believe she is someone they can beat.

President Bush said Friday that Sen. Hillary Clinton, a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, is "formidable," but he declined to speculate on which Republicans might run for the White House in 2008.

So spake Karl Rove, master manipulator, and Bush's puppeteer. Now he is peppering the ground with seeds for a Republican win in 2008.

Pretend to be impressed, or worried, or scared of the opponent that you feel you have the best chance of winning against. This is not exactly the trickiest maneuver I have ever seen.

Hillary is not our best choice for 2008. I think that most of us know that. I don't really know who the Democrats have worth backing at this point. I am underwhelmed by Clinton, Biden, Kerry, and most of the others who are hinting at an interest in running.

We need somebody fresh. Somebody with impeccable character. Somebody untarnished by voting for this war in Iraq. Somebody who did not receive a dime from one of Abramoff's clients. Somebody who can speak for the poor, the minorities, the disenchanted. Somebody who we can trust.