An apology-averse Bush administration long accustomed to the lockstep support of Republican congressfolk no matter the transgression has been going it alone these days.

In this context, the Walter Reed scandal is remarkable in two respects: Newly-minted Defense Secretary Gates ignored the White House playbook of circling the wagons rather than demanding accountability and fired the Army secretary and two generals. There was barely a whimper from Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Now comes the Alberto Gonzales scandal with its deep roots and sundry outrages and Hill Republicans have again lost their voices.

Do we have a trend here?

Is holding onto a Republican seat now more important than defending this lamest of lame duck bosses?

Or what?