At the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jim Wooten tells the straight truth about the left’s latest Big Lie: In liberals’ eyes, Bush’s black hat permanent. (Hat tip: J.D.)

What you’re reading, seeing and hearing now about the memo is the work of half-a-dozen obsessed liberals marketing their take on the memo to the news media. In the two weeks after the memo was first published, it was mentioned fewer than 100 times, according to a search of newspapers, magazines and television news-program transcripts by the Wall Street Journal. After the targeting effort, the phrase has appeared 800 times.

The idea of targeting the media came from a professor of ancient history in Pennsylvania, Michael Clark, the Journal reports. His plan was to contact three media outlets a day, starting with the majors. After some success, the campaign spread to smaller chains and newspapers.

It worked. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday he was “a bit astonished” at the second-life play in the United States. “What people forget about the memo,” he told the Associated Press, “is that [it] occurred nine months before the conflict” and that after it was done, the allies went to the United Nations in an effort to avoid war.

By Tuesday, President Bush was at Fort Bragg, reminding the nation that Iraq “is a central front in the war on terrorism.” and success is “vital to the future security of our country.” The nation should prepare for periodic assaults on the home front. The left cannot let it go.

Since well before the start of his administration, Bush has fallen into that class of villains in liberals’ eyes, which commonly includes police, conservatives and corporations. A rule applies: If there are two or more ways to interpret an act, word or deed, choose the most venal. Ergo, Bush lied. Bush deceived. Bush connived, conspired and corrupted. Bush evil.

Those are recurring themes in the liberal rant. Brace yourself. Every few months, for as long as we are in Iraq, you’ll hear them. Again and again and again.