The recent spate of smears from Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough aren't to protect the Republican Party. Certainly they are directed at Democrats, but the real threat to Bush doesn't come from the Democrats, but from John McCain, who is now on cruise control to be the next President of the United States. With Hillary having the nomination of the Democratic Party all but wrapped up - and with McCain towering over anyone who would be allowed near the Republican nomination, the Bushites have a big problem, or rather, several big problems.
This is why the top down media is eagerly doing bin Laden's work, and sowing acrimony within the American body politic - because they are almost out of time, and out of any other options. When the turbluent moment of the economy hits - and it is very soon that it will, either they hold all the power, or they will find themselves on the receiving end of a massive political shock.