The torture scandal is currently off the media radar screen as important issues like the relative thickness of the candidates' hair, wallets and waists dominate the coverage. Fortunately the
Washington Post editorial page doesn't seem satisfied to leave the issue until after the election to sort out:
Congress also has a duty to probe more deeply into the actions of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and former CIA director George J. Tenet. Mr. Rumsfeld stated publicly last month that at Mr. Tenet's request he ordered that several prisoners in Iraq not be registered with the International Red Cross, as required by the Geneva Conventions. As an official Army report put it, this was "contrary to Army doctrine and in violation of international law." If, in fact, Mr. Tenet and Mr. Rumsfeld conspired to violate the Geneva Conventions in Iraq, they should be held accountable -- just like the lowly reservists whom the Pentagon now prosecutes.
I would add the names of Mr.Bush, Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Gonsalez to those needing investigation but Tenet and Rumsfeld would get the ball rolling again.
If Mr. Bush succeeds in pushing these investigations into the background until after the election, the Democrats will have lost their most potent weapon in the election debate over values. Leaders with strong values don't step aside and let rank and file soldiers bear the punishment for what were at best inconsistent policies. Leaders with strong moral values don't even contemplate interrogation tactics that inflict mental or physical pain on prisoners.
Right now the flood of campaign non-issue coverage appears headed toward relegating the torture scandal to the hall of fame of media malpractice.