White House Dynamics

Every day more of the pieces fall into place that allow you to get a feeling for the dynamics at play in the White House.

Every Administration is made up of two parts, Policy and Politics. In Bush's Administration Cheney has had control of Policy and left the games of Politics to Bush and by default Rove. There are other close players of course, Karen Hughes, Gonzo, Harriet Miers, and of course Condi, but none of them has had any control over either the direction of Policy or Politics - they are Pawns, not players. Even today Cheney continues to manage the apparatus of Government behind his shield of secrecy, but fortunately for us he can no longer use Bush's political power to propel his expansionist desires. Hegemony is dead.

So now (or soon at least) Bush will be alone.

Where does that leave the nation?

You know what the really big question is now? What role will Joshua Bolten (Chief of Staff) play in Bush's future? For the first time it will be he, and the people he lets get close to the President, who will decide what direction Bush takes - and remember, Bush only moves in the political arena. Lacking any serious takers for a replacement for Karl and knowing that Bush doesn't have the wherewithal for detailed planning, be it policy or political, Bolten will soon find himself in an interesting position. Will he try to take over as Bush's Brain, or will he let the brainless twit wonder off on his own?