Christy!

Good Morning!

I mean Jane!

So, why is he quitting, really? We can be reasonably sure it has nothing whatsoever to do with “spending more time with the family”. What does this do to any potential subpoenas? Would he still be covered under executive privledge? I know in Bush’s mind he would be, but what about an actual legal scholar’s take? Rove knows where all the bodies are buried, so why now?

Good morning Jane! Hope you are feeling well.

Haven’t jumped out of bed this fast since first day of summer vacation in grammar school.
Need coffee big time!

A Rove non-political question: Didn’t the secretary of education say Rove asked her out on a date? I figured he was divorced.

I’m surprised I didn’t sit bolt upright when I heard this news this morning! And then, nothing on the TV for 20 minutes or so!

Why now? is an excellent question

Good morning Jane! I thought I was still sleeping when I saw that this am.

Chris Matthews on MSNBC: “KKKarl is a historic figure. KKKarl already has a list of thirty democratic congressman, he will knock off. Where there is brains there is Rove. He talks like a fire hydrant. He looks you right in the eye and steals your heart. I wish he were single.”

madmommy @ 4

So, why is he quitting, really? We can be reasonably sure it has nothing whatsoever to do with “spending more time with the family”. What does this do to any potential subpoenas? Would he still be covered under executive privledge? I know in Bush’s mind he would be, but what about an actual legal scholar’s take? Rove knows where all the bodies are buried, so why now?

Ain’t THAT the million dollar question, especially since if Bush insisted the man stayed (ala Gonzo), he’d stay?

Pandoras Box @ 8

I’m surprised I didn’t sit bolt upright when I heard this news this morning! And then, nothing on the TV for 20 minutes or so!

Why now? is an excellent question

He just realized he had a family?

eliot has a link posted downstairs;

Elliott @ 144

The Mark of Rove
Paul Gigot WSJ

ya gotta love the wsj…check out their lead;

These are the days of Republican doubt, with President Bush fighting an unpopular war….

any real journalist would have written;

” These are the days of Republican doubt, with President Bush responsible for a devastating war that’s tearing our country apart… “

now that would be the lead in my world

Just because he is resigning doesn’t mean he won’t be spending time in a witness chair.

INHERENT CONTEMPT.

Rove: Inherently Contemptible

Hmmmmmm, silently and surely, methinks Fitz found the goods.

My prediction: He’s going to flip.

Frank33 @ 10

Chris Matthews on MSNBC: “KKKarl is a historic figure. KKKarl already has a list of thirty democratic congressman, he will knock off. Where there is brains there is Rove. He talks like a fire hydrant. He looks you right in the eye and steals your heart. I wish he were single.”

Please say this is satire.

Good morning Everybody,

Could someone please rub Jane’s back and let her sip something cool? She’s been dreaming and needs to go back to …

What?

oddball @ 15

Hmmmmmm, silently and surely, methinks Fitz found the goods.

Now THAT would be something!

Well, holy cow.

I was all set to finally go to sleep, and took one last look at the web — and saw the big fat headline over at Huffington.

This of course meant I had to scoot over here immediately, and sure enough, Jane’s got the scoop here already.

My, my, my. I think it’s safe to say that if the word being put out is that Rove’s leaving is just a “normal” thing, that means it’s anything BUT. Guess it’s time for some serious Kremlinology.

In the meantime, it’s still past time to go to bed. So good night to all you dear Firepups, those few of you also going to bed late like me, and the larger contingent of the morning shift coming on now. My love to y’all — and I may well have visions of sugar plums (i.e., Rove out of the White House) dancing in my head in dreamland!

***Edited just now. Mistakenly wrote that “Redd” had the scoop. Sorry, Jane! That’ll learn ME, to skip reading the byline whilst bleary-eyed! This is the usual time for Christy’s early morning posts, but still that’s sloppy of me. Good to see you, Jane! Hope all is well with you!

Caller on Washington Journal questioned, “Who will help bush find the bathroom now?”

Frank33 @ 10

Chris Matthews on MSNBC: “KKKarl is a historic figure. KKKarl already has a list of thirty democratic congressman, he will knock off. Where there is brains there is Rove. He talks like a fire hydrant. He looks you right in the eye and steals your heart. I wish he were single.”

I’m with Sunny…………Did tweety *really* say that?

solai @ 16

My prediction: He’s going to flip.

You’re optimistic!

And, why wasn’t this a Friday nite news dump? Monday morning at 4a.m.????

SunnyNobility @ 17

Frank33 @ 10

Chris Matthews on MSNBC: “KKKarl is a historic figure. KKKarl already has a list of thirty democratic congressman, he will knock off. Where there is brains there is Rove. He talks like a fire hydrant. He looks you right in the eye and steals your heart. I wish he were single.”

Please say this is satire.

Just a little.

SunnyNobility @ 17

Frank33 @ 10

Chris Matthews on MSNBC: “KKKarl is a historic figure. KKKarl already has a list of thirty democratic congressman, he will knock off. Where there is brains there is Rove. He talks like a fire hydrant. He looks you right in the eye and steals your heart. I wish he were single.”

Please say this is satire.

It’s hard to exaggerate Tweety’s man-love. It had me going right up to that last sentence.

“Why, exactly?”

Money. Power. Stuff like that….

oddball @ 15

Hmmmmmm, silently and surely, methinks Fitz found the goods.

or the cia is going to release the information that they held over the president’s head in order to get the investigation in the first place

we all know it was the cia that pressured the president into initiating the investigation in the first place, they had to have something over his head to get him to do that

then the president laughed in the face of the conviction

I was thinking there would be retribution, maybe it is at hand

Waccamaw @ 21

Caller on Washington Journal questioned, “Who will help bush find the bathroom now?”

Frank33 @ 10

Chris Matthews on MSNBC: “KKKarl is a historic figure. KKKarl already has a list of thirty democratic congressman, he will knock off. Where there is brains there is Rove. He talks like a fire hydrant. He looks you right in the eye and steals your heart. I wish he were single.”

I’m with Sunny…………Did tweety *really* say that?

he could have :)

Frogmarch time.

I confess, I made up the last sentence. But Matthews was very gushy.

I said Rove would be the one to flip months ago. He’s a realist and (hopefully) they’ve got some concrete evidence that he committed a crime or two. Caging, perhaps? So, what would someone in that position do?

More likely, he’s leaving so that he’ll be freed up to go work for some other GOP campaign.

Who’s the heir apparent of Rove’s uber-super-mega-brainiacal wielding of “THE Math?” Thompson? Mitt? Newt?

Rest assured, whatever the reason for his departure, his family is nowhere on the list.

Rove resigning to spend more time with Rudy Giuliani.

solai @ 31

I said Rove would be the one to flip months ago. He’s a realist and (hopefully) they’ve got some concrete evidence that he committed a crime or two. Caging, perhaps? So, what would someone in that position do?

Okay… where in the article–or any other related news source–does it say that Rove flipped?

Just askin’.

What else was done in the WH Sunday night between Kennebunkport and Crawford?

And did that gawdawful rewrite of FISA just innoculate Rove?

solai @ 31

I said Rove would be the one to flip months ago. He’s a realist and (hopefully) they’ve got some concrete evidence that he committed a crime or two. Caging, perhaps? So, what would someone in that position do?

oh solai, please don’t toy with us
oh go ahead
toy

Rove is playing out one of his stratergies. This is a game. He has no advantage being out of the White House, and as he’s said he’s done with political consulting, presumably will not be jumping into the 2008 Presidential or national campaigns.

My suspicion is that he will attempt to magpie the Bushco propaganda, in such a way that the Administration moves the game forward on limitation of civil and voting rights, ostensibly in support of the “war on terror.” There’s got to be money in it for Rove.

Frank33 @ 30

I confess, I made up the last sentence. But Matthews was very gushy.

Did Tweety say the fire hydrant part? That makes as much sense as that “fight like a rock” remark the other day.

Oh, man…they’re showing the rap video. Too early for that.

Our nightmare is partially ended?
It was a dark and gloomy night…

Elliott -

Color me gullible. *g*
Goes to proof that I’d expect the *ssh*t would say something exactly like that.

Man, do I feel bad for Andy Card’s family.

I think he’s leaving to work on Musharraf’s “reelection” coupaign in Pakistan.

scory @ 37

Rove is playing out one of his stratergies. This is a game. He has no advantage being out of the White House, and as he’s said he’s done with political consulting, presumably will not be jumping into the 2008 Presidential or national campaigns.

My suspicion is that he will attempt to magpie the Bushco propaganda, in such a way that the Administration moves the game forward on limitation of civil and voting rights, ostensibly in support of the “war on terror.” There’s got to be money in it for Rove.

I cannot agree

I think the days of rove being a player are long gone, he is the single most important figure in the failure of the repukelican party

in my opinion, rove is burnt toast

montag @ 34

solai @ 31

I said Rove would be the one to flip months ago. He’s a realist and (hopefully) they’ve got some concrete evidence that he committed a crime or two. Caging, perhaps? So, what would someone in that position do?

Okay… where in the article–or any other related news source–does it say that Rove flipped?

Just askin’.

Sorry. Should have noted….pure speculation.
But, I’ll wager that it’s so.

Prairie Sunshine @ 35

What else was done in the WH Sunday night between Kennebunkport and Crawford?

And did that gawdawful rewrite of FISA just innoculate Rove?

Ding Ding Ding

Finally, Chief of Staff Josh Bolten told senior White House aides that if they stayed past a certain point, they were obliged to remain to Jan. 20, 2009.

White House institues its own “stop loss” policy. Ha ha.

Waccamaw @ 41

Elliott -

Color me gullible. *g*
Goes to proof that I’d expect the *ssh*t would say something exactly like that.

you know he’s thinkin’ it! *g*

“Thanks! ……for the memories.”

Maybe Rover wants to pursue his fledgling musical career.

(youtube link)

I hope this isn’t some sign that Cheney won the battle in the admin for an attack on Iran.

Of course, as a lousy Kremlinologist, I’ve never been sure whether those reports of a rift between Cheney and Rove were true.

Frank33 @ 30

I confess, I made up the last sentence. But Matthews was very gushy.

Yes, it was quite over the top (the Rove gushing, that is.)
I’m sorry but they’re all talking about this like they accept it on face value, but you know that behind the scenes they’re saying something else amongst themselves. They really just do not see their identity as journalists who report, their loyalty is to a “tribe” that viewers just do not get a chance to be a part of.

Zandar @ 11

madmommy @ 4

So, why is he quitting, really? We can be reasonably sure it has nothing whatsoever to do with “spending more time with the family”. What does this do to any potential subpoenas? Would he still be covered under executive privledge? I know in Bush’s mind he would be, but what about an actual legal scholar’s take? Rove knows where all the bodies are buried, so why now?

Ain’t THAT the million dollar question, especially since if Bush insisted the man stayed (ala Gonzo), he’d stay?

Why is “family” used as the blanket explanation? Rove has one son who started college last year (not the military, o’course), and a wife. So what are these pressing “family” needs? To keep Big Daddy out of the clink?

solai @ 45

montag @ 34

Okay… where in the article–or any other related news source–does it say that Rove flipped?

Just askin’.

Sorry. Should have noted….pure speculation.
But, I’ll wager that it’s so.

I’d take that wager–at any odds you like–but, I don’t take advantage of anyone. :)

Rove skates. Bush skates. Cheney skates. They all skate away. That’s what life is like in America today, sad to say. No one’s putting these sorry excuses for humanity in jail, or prosecuting them, or flipping them.

It ain’t fair, but, it’s the way things work these days.

If Greg Palast was telling the truth, then there should be hard evidence of Rove violating election laws.

Fucking WSJ, they called Fitzy a “remorseless
special counsel”
What happened to the runaway?

I’m thinkin’ the time to spend more time with your family — if that’s your reason for freeing up your calendar — is when the family’s actually at home, not after the lone child has gone to college.
Guess he forgot to check his emails.

Elliott @ 38

Frank33 @ 30

I confess, I made up the last sentence. But Matthews was very gushy.

Did Tweety say the fire hydrant part? That makes as much sense as that “fight like a rock” remark the other day.

“KKKarl is fire hydrant”. I think Matthews meant he talked rapidly-I guess. But Matthews seemed to have some inside knowledge, citing thirty Democratic targeted congressman. So he seems to have been talking with KKKarl. That has been “tweety’s” job for years, catapulting the Rove talking points

montag @ 54

solai @ 45

Sorry. Should have noted….pure speculation.
But, I’ll wager that it’s so.

I’d take that wager–at any odds you like–but, I don’t take advantage of anyone. :)

Rove skates. Bush skates. Cheney skates. They all skate away. That’s what life is like in America today, sad to say. No one’s putting these sorry excuses for humanity in jail, or prosecuting them, or flipping them.

It ain’t fair, but, it’s the way things work these days.

you can rest assured montaq, if rove faces jail time he flips, of this there is no doubt in my mind, he is a rat plain and simple

I do however agree with you that he skates…because the president provides the ice in a pardon

Mrs. Tarquin Biscuitbarrel @ 52

Zandar @ 11

Ain’t THAT the million dollar question, especially since if Bush insisted the man stayed (ala Gonzo), he’d stay?

It’s just SOP with politicians. No matter what nefarious deeds they might be involved in, when the shit hits the fan, the “family” gets trotted out and they all nod approvingly.

Call me cynical, but I do not take one single thing any of them do at face value. There are always ulterior motives, just wondering what they might be. Another campaign, perhaps? Rudy, Mittens, Huckabee???
Why is “family” used as the blanket explanation? Rove has one son who started college last year (not the military, o’course), and a wife. So what are these pressing “family” needs? To keep Big Daddy out of the clink?

Jeff Gannon/Fuckert should be pleased. Sneaking in and out of the WH all the time was getting to be a pain in the ass.

One more curiousity about the timing. Did Rove wait for Bush to be away from the White House? In the other resignations, who announced it? The resignee himself or the White House? Would it not be great if Bush didn’t know beforehand?

I find it amazing that he is leaving to spend more time with his wife (who is in Washington with him) and his son who is in college and who I’m sure is overjoyed that his dad will be spending more time with him.

solai @ 62

One more curiousity about the timing. Did Rove wait for Bush to be away from the White House? In the other resignations, who announced it? The resignee himself or the White House? Would it not be great if Bush didn’t know beforehand?

The article says he discussed it with Bush about a year ago. No surprises here on Bush’s part.

bonkers @ 61

Jeff Gannon/Fuckert should be pleased. Sneaking in and out of the WH all the time was getting to be a pain in the ass.

the imagery spoiled breakfast

uggg

I’ve got to get ready for work. Damn. See all later.

solai @ 62

One more curiousity about the timing. Did Rove wait for Bush to be away from the White House? In the other resignations, who announced it? The resignee himself or the White House? Would it not be great if Bush didn’t know beforehand?

this is from HuffPo

Bush was expected to make a statement Monday with Rove. Later Monday, Rove, his wife and their son were to accompany Bush on Air Force One when the president flies to Texas for his vacation.

More bullshit. This means nothing, nada, zilch, zipola. . .

well since we’re all throwing wild theories out there this morning, allow me to go off on a completely different tack on the reason he’s leaving.

Iraq.

I would bet that Rove saw the handwriting on the wall and has been advising Bushie that he would absolutely have to start drawing down troops prior to 2008 or the party is going to face a nightmare. On the other side you have Cheney, who’s not only yelling “Stay the course”, but doing everything he can to escalate the conflict, not to mention his publicly stated desire to start yet another war in Iran.

Based on Bushie’s comments during the latest press conference, I would wager that Cheney has won yet again and this time, even Turdblossom wanted no part of it, not because of any sense of decency, but solely so that, when the GOP debacle comes as a result of Cheney/Bush’s actions, Rove can say that it wasn’t his fault.

Ok, yeah, I pulled the theory out of my ass, but it has as much validity as anything else going up today.

Maybe he’s going to open a B&B in Paraguay.

montag @ 64

solai @ 62

One more curiousity about the timing. Did Rove wait for Bush to be away from the White House? In the other resignations, who announced it? The resignee himself or the White House? Would it not be great if Bush didn’t know beforehand?

The article says he discussed it with Bush about a year ago. No surprises here on Bush’s part.

I’m sorry?

discussing this a year ago means that discussion is valid today?

montaq, I am quite surprised with your surmising this morning

now there might well have been some kind of expectation, but certainly not from their discussion a year ago, this discussion had to be held quite recently

Frank33 @ 30

I confess, I made up the last sentence. But Matthews was very gushy.

Nicely done. You may recognize my name as one of Tweety’s actual observations about the preznit - “he glistens with a sort of sunny nobility”. There are no depths I put beneath him.

I have to think that either Rove faces impending legal action or he’s got another candidate lined up. I wish I believed that he was tired and leaving to miss out on the final whimpers of the administration… but I don’t buy it.

Bay State Librul @ 56

Fucking WSJ, they called Fitzy a “remorseless
special counsel”
What happened to the runaway?

What does Fitz have to be remorseful about, anyway? It’s the goddamned sociopaths in the administration who ought to be stuffed to the gills with remorse — but aren’t.

perris @ 71

montag @ 64

The article says he discussed it with Bush about a year ago. No surprises here on Bush’s part.

I’m sorry?

discussing this a year ago means that discussion is valid today?

montaq, I am quite surprised with your surmising this morning

You keep hoping against hope….

No surprises here as far as Bush is concerned. None.

First of all-tweety knows shit! Now- Rove is leaving because it is time to shift into the “Continuation Mode” This is simply a continuation of the plan of the neos to extend the philosophy promolgated from the strauss school in chicago. That lying piece of garbage will emerge somewhere in the coming campaigns for the WH and Congress.
Don’t believe for one second that he is simply returning to his family because beside anything else- who in their right mind believes for one second that anyone could love that piece of pond scum.
Spend time with his family my ass.

Millineryman @ 70

Maybe he’s going to open a B&B in Paraguay.

707!

did he have to apply around now to become a Kuwaiti citizen before 2009 ?

Chris Matthews is saying “it had to happen.”

once again - when the pundits and fake journalists (who know nothing about the important events affecting our country) may actually have some inside info… they tell us nothing.

SonOfLiberty @ 73

I have to think that either Rove faces impending legal action or he’s got another candidate lined up. I wish I believed that he was tired and leaving to miss out on the final whimpers of the administration… but I don’t buy it.

who would have rove?

I think it would doom their candidacy and I think every politician knows it, rove carries the baggage of one of the most hated president in American history and global history

only a moron would take on rove

oh…wait..

Our nightmare is partially ended?

don’t mean to be a party pooper, but crap like rove never goes away - he will surely resurface in some new dastardly manifestation of evil.
.

montag @ 74

perris @ 71

I’m sorry?

discussing this a year ago means that discussion is valid today?

montaq, I am quite surprised with your surmising this morning

You keep hoping against hope….

No surprises here as far as Bush is concerned. None.

hoping against hope montaq?

errr

no

rove resigned or is being resigned, you think this is a natural progression of events

that is a hope where there is no hope, there is not a chance on the planet your scenario is correct

this is STUNNING and you are not stunned…bizzare

Is he skipping out of town before Congress reconvenes? Nice way to avoid getting picked up for inherent contempt!

zoot @ 81

Our nightmare is partially ended?

don’t mean to be a party pooper, but crap like rove never goes away - he will surely resurface in some new dastardly manifestation of evil.
.

Just doing away with his title so he can continue to give “morale boosters” to appointees on gov’t property. That, plus maybe the gazillion emails are about to surface.

perris @ 82

that is a hope where there is no hope, there is not a chance on the planet your scenario is correct

Time will tell. It always does. :)

I think there is an indictment coming down the pike OR they are desperate to get a republican in office. I mean scared shiteless.

SunnyNobility @ 71

Frank33 @ 30

I confess, I made up the last sentence. But Matthews was very gushy.

Nicely done. You may recognize my name as one of Tweety’s actual observations about the preznit - “he glistens with a sort of sunny nobility”. There are no depths I put beneath him.

I suppose this is an important story. But I have not yet heard the TeeVee talk about hundreds of thousands of missing weapons in Iraq. There are illegal, secret weapons deals supplying the “insurgents”.

I think Marvin Bush and Poindexter and ChoicePoint and maybe the M*ss*d are wiretapping all electronic communications. They should know where these weapons are going. Military Intelligence, such as it is should also know.

selise @ 78

Chris Matthews is saying “it had to happen.”

once again - when the pundits and fake journalists (who know nothing about the important events affecting our country) may actually have some inside info… they tell us nothing.

Remember,the beginning of Joe Wilson’s book? Who called him up and let him know Valerie was now considered by Karl Rove to be”fair game”? Chris and Karl have a nice friendly relationship,they’re buddies.

Jane’s right,these people don’t give one hoot about reporting a thing. It’s a big private club that has their own parties,and NONE OF US are invited. None of the pundit class could do actual journalism if their lives depended on it. That would mean they actually have to work for a living.

How ironic that Willy Geist, you know, the one who has brought us everything Paris or Lindsay might expose or barf, has stumbled onto this Morning Joe show.

mornin’ all!

Elliott -

Tks for the linky downstairs. Bookmarked for a careful read later.

Sunny -

Finally, an answer to my unasked question as to name origin. ;-)

Can we wake Marcy up, I am in desperate need of her interpretation of wtf is going on!! I have to go get back to school supplies and a haircut for my son, before taking them to grandma’s for their last day of summer freedom. I don’t think I can stand waiting to find out what’s behind his resignation.

They need Gonzales in place because he is still protecting them as A.G. He will eventually resign but not until they don’t need him for protection. There has to be something coming out on Rove later this week.

Maybe he’s going to lead the data mining effort for the government, now that the Congress has gutted FISA.

twolf1 @ 88

mornin’ all!

Ditto. My wishful thinking is that Rove was forced out because of a pending indictment. His announcement probably has more to do with Fred’s pending announcement.

KnaveRupe @ 32

More likely, he’s leaving so that he’ll be freed up to go work for some other GOP campaign.

Who’s the heir apparent of Rove’s uber-super-mega-brainiacal wielding of “THE Math?” Thompson? Mitt? Newt?

Rest assured, whatever the reason for his departure, his family is nowhere on the list.

I can’t help but be suspicious. My hope is that someone found the goods. The US of A Attorneys are on an unusual mission to stop the corruption of Justice. Did they find something?

Or he has a home in Florida. Will he move there to deliver Florida to the GOP in 08. Shudder. He does do his homework.

KnaveRupe @ 32

More likely, he’s leaving so that he’ll be freed up to go work for some other GOP campaign.

Who’s the heir apparent of Rove’s uber-super-mega-brainiacal wielding of “THE Math?” Thompson? Mitt? Newt?

Nobody introduces new product in August.

My guess is that we will have an announcement in early September, likely Fred Thompson who is Cheney’s nominated meat puppet, since one of the Cheney girls is already working on Thompson’s staff.

But I also suspect that the pressure is on, and that Rove as a government official is under a LOT of scrutiny that he wouldn’t be under as a regular citizen. He may be exiting in order to put some space between himself and the hounds. He may also be trying to shield the POTUS from a near-term problem like charges of inherent contempt.

Whatever is going on, it’s got to be big because he has left behind a greater degree of protection that being on WH staff offers; claims of executive privilege are going to be more challenging now that he’s out the door.

And perhaps with the stupidity of the FISA bill, he doesn’t need to be inside the fenceline any longer. The WH/OVP can spy with impunity and find a way to provide whatever Rove needs on the opposition from those efforts, without Rove needing to be there to get the goods.

Whatever the reason, I think it’s safe to say that absolutely none of us buy the Josh Bolten story about staying through Jan 2009 if Rove stayed after August.

JPL @ 92

twolf1 @ 88

mornin’ all!

Ditto. My wishful thinking is that Rove was forced out because of a pending indictment. His announcement probably has more to do with Fred’s pending announcement.

Fielding or Thompson?

good morning sweeties,

rove will probably go back to doing what he does best: election fuckery. perhaps it was decided that the WH imprimatur was no longer useful, for whatever reason.

either way, fuck him.

Bush’s Brain Decides To Leave.

After many torturous months, Bush’s Brain has decided to leave. In an interview with Fox News, Bush’s Brain stated that he had already left George Bush years ago; but decided to make it official over the weekend. When asked what it intended to do in the future, The Brain said that when freed from the burden of cognitive political infighting, it intended to initiate a thorough search for its marbles .

Some critics have stated that Bush’s Brain was quietly asked to leave after being discovered roving the White House corridors late at night repeatedly mumbling, “The surge is working. The surge is working.” and “Let them eat cake.” Homeland security was called in and threatened ECG Treatments. Under duress, the Brain agreed to quitely leave the highly charged political scene.

The Brain was adamant in denouncing rumours of rejection by the The Republican Congressional body. Bush’s Brain did end the interview announcement by stating, “While working in the White House, I managed to give good head while at the same time putting the country on its knees.”, referencing his renowned skill for political contortionism.

When interviewed about this recent turn in events, Vice President Dick Cheney remarked, ” With or without The Brain, the President has always been an empty suit. The country need not worry. I remain in charge, as always.”

Charlie

Rayne @ 95

KnaveRupe @ 32

More likely, he’s leaving so that he’ll be freed up to go work for some other GOP campaign.

Who’s the heir apparent of Rove’s uber-super-mega-brainiacal wielding of “THE Math?” Thompson? Mitt? Newt?

Nobody introduces new product in August.

My guess is that we will have an announcement in early September, likely Fred Thompson who is Cheney’s nominated meat puppet, since one of the Cheney girls is already working on Thompson’s staff.

But I also suspect that the pressure is on, and that Rove as a government official is under a LOT of scrutiny that he wouldn’t be under as a regular citizen. He may be exiting in order to put some space between himself and the hounds. He may also be trying to shield the POTUS from a near-term problem like charges of inherent contempt.

Whatever is going on, it’s got to be big because he has left behind a greater degree of protection that being on WH staff offers; claims of executive privilege are going to be more challenging now that he’s out the door.

And perhaps with the stupidity of the FISA bill, he doesn’t need to be inside the fenceline any longer. The WH/OVP can spy with impunity and find a way to provide whatever Rove needs on the opposition from those efforts, without Rove needing to be there to get the goods.

Whatever the reason, I think it’s safe to say that absolutely none of us buy the Josh Bolten story about staying through Jan 2009 if Rove stayed after August.

I think this is a significant point

[my bold]

Joe has called in to tell us that Democrats despised Karl Rove. It’s already in the past.

If Rove is simply leaving to manage the next Fuhrer’s campaign, why not announce on a Friday afternoon? He has several left before he leaves. Something else is up. He is trying to put up a smoke screen to cover some other news. Or he was forced out and he wants to leave with a bang.

Re Tweety - And Jane, if you’re still with us I’d love to get your Hollywood expertise on this - I happened to watch ‘Man of the Year’ over the weekend, which had Tweety in, what I thought, was a cameo role reporting the election results that made Robin Williams president. For some reason I happened to be watching the credits, and while both Tina Fey and her sidekick had the typical cameo credits of ‘herself’ listed after their names, Tweety’s was different.
For Tweety, the listing was “Newsman 1 - Chris Matthews”. Now I’ve done some entertainment work out her on the Right Coast, but it’s been mostly legal work for Broadway or TV performers, no movie work, so I was wondering - Is the credit difference simply because he’s not as well known as he thinks he is, or does that type of credit give him his credits to get a SAG card that I don’t think he’d get with a true cameo?

Not important, just kinda curious.

I think that he’s going to work for Fred Thompson. He’s the only candidate that will allow himself to be used for the good of the party. Expect him to announce with his pickup truck and a cowboy hat. Probably already has the boots and hat ready to go.

katie jensen @ 91

Can we wake Marcy up, I am in desperate need of her interpretation of wtf is going on!! I have to go get back to school supplies and a haircut for my son, before taking them to grandma’s for their last day of summer freedom. I don’t think I can stand waiting to find out what’s behind his resignation.

They need Gonzales in place because he is still protecting them as A.G. He will eventually resign but not until they don’t need him for protection. There has to be something coming out on Rove later this week.

Already did. She should have something up in a few minutes. She thinks domenici, opr or abramoff are reaching critical mass.

These clowns on TV couldn’t find their asses with both hands. It’s shameful.

JPL @ 93

twolf1 @ 88

mornin’ all!

Ditto. My wishful thinking is that Rove was forced out because of a pending indictment. His announcement probably has more to do with Fred’s pending announcement.

My feeling is that they know there is nothing more he can do for chimpy. He will probably head out to California with Tom DeLay in tow to assist with the goopers’ electoral vote stealing scam. After all, you cant spell controversy without r. o. v. e.

Jane Hamsher @ 103

These clowns on TV couldn’t find their asses with both hands. It’s shameful.

Another gem and another good reason to enjoy reading Jane…. thanks

It’s encouraging to think Rove’s resigning because of oversight and investigation! dare I hope?

Boston1775 @ 99

Joe has called in to tell us that Democrats despised Karl Rove. It’s already in the past.

If you mean that lying swine Scarborough, he lied about the Plame case. He said, it was not Rove who revealed her identity, it was Colin Powell’s right hand man.

Not to get pedantic, “mornin joe” means Armitage, but that is false, because Armitage was and is controlled by Darth. It shows Scarborough is a total lying neo-con.

JPL @ 102

I think that he’s going to work for Fred Thompson. He’s the only candidate that will allow himself to be used for the good of the party. Expect him to announce with his pickup truck and a cowboy hat. Probably already has the boots and hat ready to go.

I read the stories about Thompson hating the Senate and doing next to nothing while there. He does seem to have that political trait in common with Bush. Maybe it could work out.

“Illuminating, Captivating, Stunning,”

Rove’s new Book…. “Men of the night”

Jane Hamsher @ 104

Already did. She should have something up in a few minutes. She thinks domenici, opr or abramoff are reaching critical mass.

Heh. Explains the critical mass of writing she’s done over the last 3 days, been on an enormous tear.

Who woke you up, Jane? (don’t answer that - heh.)

Seriously, I wish there was a way to program my cell phone to alert me whenever key words appear in news together, like “karl rove plus resignation”.

I might have to have a chat with Mark Steckel about that one…

Elliott @ 22

solai @ 16

My prediction: He’s going to flip.

You’re optimistic!

How long would he hold out [Mod: edited to remove torture reference]

Scarecrow’s served up a cuppa upstairs.