White House e-mails; RNC

The Bush Administration's concept of Executive Privilege has jumped the shark.

The White House is implying that it enjoys a privilege - not a right, mind you, but a privilege - so broad that it can barely be distinguished from the Divine Right of Kings. Looked at one way, Executive Privilege as defined by George W. Bush means nothing more or less than what he says it means.

But looked at another way, Bush is interpreting the concept so broadly that it actually means nothing. It is clearly just a shameless attempt at shielding himself, his staff, and his political party from any and all accountability. It is as though Bush is saying there is no difference between the Republican National Committee and the federal government. L'etat, c'est GOP. It's a joke.

Anything is possible, certainly, but I suspect that even the most right-wing, Bush-appointed federal judge would blanch at the notion that the Republican Party and Executive Office of the President are one and the same. I think he just threw the game in favor of the Congress.