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

[dajoki]

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

[MadMaddie]

1. No doubt...but I have a feeling with the poll numbers so low

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....

[dajoki]

6. Good, I hope he takes them all down!!

[radfringe]

19. Rove won't be on any soapbox

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

[spindrifter]

2. Agreed--now he gets to spend

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

[Democrats_win]

4. Yep. Someone should give him some of his own medicine. Big time.

[amitten]

10. Don't you worry...those wheels are already turning. n/t

[0007]

13. They will and you can take that to the bank.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. You nailed it - he's more dangerous than ever.

He has free reign and will stop at nothing.

[saltpoint]

3. Dionne is right & the post here is timely.

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.

[dajoki]

7. Oh, I hope your elves are correct n/t

[saltpoint]

9. They're great little elves. And by god they bake a mean batch of

cookies, too. :hi:

:dem:

[dajoki]

11. hmmm!!

I'll take some cookies.:9

[saltpoint]

12. I'll share. But just for you, dajoki. I don't think the elves have baked

enough for all 88,170 DUers.

[dajoki]

17. I don't know how to thank you...

you made me feel very special!!:hi:

[sutz12]

8. This makes them very dangerous.

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:

[McCamy Taylor]

14. Are they taking away the Katrina Slush Fund aka the Reconstruction?

[Imagevision]

15. Look, Rove's only worthwhile job is NOT losing the house & senate - if

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!

[ShockediSay]

16. I have an idea he keeps beating on the Hilary drum

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

[Auntie Bush]

18. I have a feeling Rove isn't going to be around long doing anything

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.