The call for former White House adviser Karl Rove to come before the House Judiciary Committee to testify about the Bush administration’s firing of nine U.S. attorneys and the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has the potential of bringing closure to one of the messiest predicaments in several years.

The move also has the potential of making Democrats look as goofy as Republicans in the kind of payback politics that has hovered over the nation’s capital since the Clinton debacle about risqué goings-on in the office behind the Oval Office.

Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, wants Rove to appear because he believes Rove has some answers.

“Change has come to Washington, and I hope Karl Rove is ready for it. After two years of stonewalling, it’s time for him to talk,” Conyers told the media on Monday.

Don’t bet on Rove talking or tipping his hand. This man cut his teeth on political intrigue back during the biggest scandal of them all — Watergate.

And Rove is still with us.