all the spin about Rove's power being diminished is simply wrong

WP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/20/AR2006042001351.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

Rove's New Mission: Survival

By E. J. Dionne Jr.
Friday, April 21, 2006

Here's the real meaning of the White House shake-up and the redefinition of Karl Rove's role in the Bush presidency: The administration's one and only domestic priority in 2006 is hanging on to control of Congress.

That, in turn, means that all the spin about Rove's power being diminished is simply wrong. Yes, Rove is giving up some policy responsibilities to concentrate on politics, but guess what: The possibility of President Bush's winning enactment of any major new policy initiative this year is zero. Rove is simply moving to where all the action will, of necessity, be.

As one outside adviser to the administration said, the danger of a Democratic takeover of at least one house of Congress looms large and would carry huge penalties for Bush. The administration fears "investigations of everything" by congressional committees, this adviser said, and the "possibility of a forced withdrawal from Iraq" through legislative action.

"I don't think they see much chance of accomplishing anything this year," said this Republican strategist, who preferred not to be quoted by name. "The bulk of their agenda, let's say, has been put on hold."

Rove never stopped being political, even when he had formal responsibility for policy. What's intriguing about the shift in the direction of Rove's energies is that it marks a turn from the high politics of a partisan realignment driven by ideas and policies to the more mundane politics of eking out votes, seat by seat and state by state. Most of Rove's grander dreams have died as the president's poll numbers have come crashing down

that some of the Repugs up for election in November are going to try and distance themselves from Rove and *...they are fighting for their very political lives....we are seeing this now....they avoid functions that * attends in their states...

Rove....is going down...but he is a spoiled bully...and he will take down everyone associated with him....kind of like Abramof....

with his arm around a GOPer..

he's going to be in the backroom with his swift-boaties

the only thing that may put a stick in his spokes is being indicted. Even that might be a long shot -- i.e. court delays, filings, motions etc. could put off the big 'scandal' until after nov. (s)elections - leaving Rove with plenty of time for throwing mud

ALL of his time on his favorite dirty business--stealing elections and screwing the opposition.

He has free reign and will stop at nothing.

At the same time, the elves have indicated to me that something is afoot in the Fitzgerald investigation involving a Mr. Rove.

This Mr. Rove may be in the news between now and the November elections. Details? The elves are tight-lipped. But I can tell by their eyebrows that there is yet more to the story than is dreamed of by Paula Zahn.

cookies, too. :hi:

:dem:

I'll take some cookies.:9

enough for all 88,170 DUers.

you made me feel very special!!:hi:

I'm thinking a pre-emptive strike on Iran before they lose Congress and Dem congressmen pass a resolution condemning it. It would take a simple majority in Congress to rescind the War Powers Act.

Hopefully, Fitz will come through with a Rove indictment soon, and Dems can start printing up pics of Rep congressmen shaking hands with good buddy Karl. :evilgrin:

the GOP loses in November, Rove won't have a job because he will be Bush's scapegoat and Bush himself will be irrelevant as he returns to Crawford for a long vacation because he's --> lame-duck-boy!

because he knows she'll pull so many right wingers out

just to vote against her. Rove wants Hilary to run against

because she's so polarizing, and will energize the right wingers

IMHO

other that defend himself from prosecution by Fitz. He'll be to busy peeing in his pants to think about the election. I really think that's why he was relieved of policy matters. Not because he's going to be too busy with the election! Anyway, one can hope can't they.