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GOOD NIGHT, AND BAD LUCK. So Karl Rove is resigning. This is a Big Political Event. And I'm left curiously without comment. What, after all, does it matter? Rove existed to win elections for George W. Bush. In that, he succeeded, or helped Bush to succeed. He had some influence over the governing agenda, but mainly insofar as it was supposed to help create a permanent governing majority for the GOP. At that, he failed. In 2006, the GOP was eviscerated, and as 2007 marches on, George W. Bush is one of the least popular presidents of all time. This administration has done grievous damage to the Republican brand, and thus Rove's plans. Bush appears to have decided popularity is a liability, or at least not desirable enough to pursue. There's no longer a point in Rove's agenda, because its aim has been judged impossible. So now he'll resign. Time to hurry up and start being forgotten.
--Ezra Klein
COMMENTS (11)
Time to hurry up and start being forgotten.
No. He is too vain. He will hurry up and write a memoir, and probably become a talking head fellated by Chris Matthews and Russert for his "inside knowledge."
Posted by: JJ | August 13, 2007 11:13 AM
"In 2006, the GOP was eviscerated..."
Well, I could go that far.
Posted by: leo | August 13, 2007 11:24 AM
I wonder if any of the 2008 Republican candidates would sign him up as campaign manager?
Posted by: Col Bat Guano | August 13, 2007 12:18 PM
What, after all, does it matter? Rove existed to win elections for George W. Bush.
You're forgetting that he had a big hand in the attempt to turn the Department of Justice into a partisan cudgel. An attempt at which he was at least partially successful. Several USA's were fired for refusing to pursue "election fraud" cases. Others were replaced by men who have be directly involved in stripping minorities of their voting rights .
Who knows how many other areas of the federal government he's turned into Republican power machines?
Posted by: Jinchi | August 13, 2007 12:27 PM
I'm sure they'll end up using him in some capacity.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 13, 2007 12:27 PM
I wonder if any of the 2008 Republican candidates would sign him up as campaign manager?
That's probably why he's resigning. Let's see... he's tacitly admitted he's an atheist, he's an avid proponent of bearing false witness in order to smear opponents, he's been a contemptuous manipulator of the Religious Right, etc, etc. So I'm guessing Huckabee or Brownback is wooing him. (Hey, he ran Oh-So-Godly Ashcroft's Senate campaign; as usual, it's shit on the Gospels, and use thuggery and deceit in the pursuit of power, 'cause Jeebus approves your lust for money and influence.) Of course, Karl likes hanging out with winners, so it might be safer for him to throw in with Giuliani or Romney.
Posted by: mds | August 13, 2007 12:34 PM
I say this means we bomb Iran and Karl, by exiting now, let's Cheney take the hit and can blame that action as the reason the durge failed and the reason the Bush presidency failed.
When it comes time for the insiders to write the Bush II legacy, Ithink you are going to see a battle between the Rovians and Cheneyites to blame the other for the bad choices foisted upon Bush.
Posted by: eric | August 13, 2007 12:56 PM
Scuttlebut has it that Rove will go to work for Thompson. What say you all to that?
Posted by: OCPatriot | August 13, 2007 8:19 PM
I don't think Fred Thompson will run. His fundraising has been unfortunate so his big moment appears to be in eclipse. Moreover, would Rove see Thompson as a vehicle? Bush was ideal, an empty vessel into which he could pour his toxic brew. Thompson, I suspect, would be less amenable to such hijinks.
Posted by: walt | August 13, 2007 10:05 PM
The departure of Rove from the White House is a big event, yet as a civilian Rove is still capable of pulling some sleazy stunts. I'd have felt safer if he had been dragged off in an orange jumpsuit and leg-irons!
Posted by: Ulysses | August 13, 2007 10:35 PM
it's just a shame he's leaving on his own two feet, and not with those feet in shackles, as he deserves...
Posted by: Pete Bogs | August 14, 2007 11:39 AM