Why would Rove’s move have any impact on any of this?

I suspect the Rove move is a sign of political panic. They must think the Democrats have a chance of taking control of the legislative branch. Substantively, I don’t see any real change. There has never been any difference between policy and politics in this White House anyway.

The MSM seems to be giving the impression that it’s surprising to see Karl Rove has been removed from his policy advisor position. Nonetheless, there is little doubt as to the meaning of Rove’s role change. Frankly, given the shambles of a policy plan being run by this administration, together with the unlikelihood that any new legislation of significance can be passed in the run-up to the mid-term election, the calculation was that Rove could better serve the Republican Party in full campaign mode.

Truthfully, why use Rove as a policy advisor when his real talent is as a political strategist (hack). The White House is simply acknowledging this well-known fact. Additionally, Republicans realize that standing on ceremony and titles won’t win the upcoming elections. The change is simply about expediency. While I enjoy thinking he’s getting a bit of a spanking, I don’t buy it.

Bush is trying to demonstrate to Republicans up for reelection that he has their backs and is moving to help get them reelected…and how better to demonstrate that than getting Karl Rove focused on a strategy for the Party. The architect hasn’t been cast aside as a lowly carpenter…he’s being asked to build something out of nothing…and he’s pretty darn good at that.

read more observations here:

http://www.thoughttheater.com

TalkLeft links to a Think Progress story speculating that Karl may have lost his security clearance.

From Bloomberg’s release: â€Presidential adviser Karl Rove is giving up his day-to-day role in the White House policy operation to focus his attention on politics as the Bush administration continues to overhaul its operations.â€
I think the use of the word â€politics†is code for RNC (Republican National Committee) and at a minimum has to do with the perception that Mehlman protects the White House at the cost of Congressional Republicans. Mehlman’s sacrificing of Republicans in Congress to protect the WH isn’t new, but the timing of this announcement wrt the NH and Ohio scandals certainly supports emptywheel’s thesis about Rove â€rescue†of Mehlman. The fact that Rove would allow WH to issue statements that he, Bush’s Brain, has actually failed at anything, suggests to me, that the Republicans forced the WH to issue the statement about â€Karl Rove’s†withdrawal from â€policy.†This provides cover for Congressional Republicans to do the same.

Always the best analysis at NH. But what I really want to know right this minute is this: Are the generals going to step in and avert an attack on Iran? If not them, who? Fuck Mehlman, the Republican party and Karl Rove. They are all going down, please Godde, sooner rather than later. Right now, I’m keeping my eye on what happens in Iran.

It’s a win-win for the Republicans. Get Rove out of the spotlight and focused on the larger problems – public opinion. However, I find it hard to believe Rove wasn’t already trying to manage that. At some point, all those skeletons come back to haunt you – it’s beautiful poetry I hope to see soon.

The New Hampshire telephone jamming excuse was it was a campaign so that is why so many calls from the NH Republican organizer of the jamming to his advisor in the administration. The curious detail I did not learn was why the conviction exempted the person in (Virginia) with the actual equipment used to jam, though the NH Republican defendant was convicted in a split decision. I have read Josh Marshall’s articles a few times on this, but had no understanding Mehlman actually is involved in ongoing litigation on the matter, nor that the NH prosecution turned to sue the VA equipment maven for interstate telephone mischief at the NH Republican’s behest. Got to check into that. If you are interested, here is the prosecution’s May 2005 indictment naming names and charges.
I agree with M-Blades, there is so much going on, Rove needs to do it fulltime instead of devising more failed policies; Bolten and his former assistant can oversee design of the hodge-podge which is this administration’s policymaking; Rove is probably too obstreperous and subterfuging a presence for genuine policy crafting. I thought Portman had improved the performance of the US Trade Representative’s office during his stay there, although the most recent free trade zone of the Americas negotiations were replete with criticism in Rio and Toronto. I am not sure Fitzgerald is going to schedule Rove at Libby’s trial; and we know, as of the present moment, Libby’s discovery is affording leeway to protect Rove on that narrow matter.

Bellbottoms are alright for haying livestock: they keep the straw from getting in your boots; though they could serve as a socioeconomic statement downtown.

I’ve thought the whole deck chairs maneuvering was started as soon as Rove saw the writing on the wall about Fitz’ intent — and now the spokesman is gone (so the press will look mean and ugly if they pile on the new guy, whoever it is), but the team is still intact within the bubble. And Rove’s been safely pulled out of any (declared) policy role — and he could do his political thing from an indicted position, or at least so he may think.
All the other reasons others have cited for Rove’s move are good reasons too, and I’m sure they play into the equation — but I’m thinking more and more that Karl’s headed for the frogmarch. Which would explain why Luskin was singing about the INR memos over the weekend, in advance of any possible gag order that might kick in once his client is indicted.
Or this is just wishful thinking (or as I like to think of it, sanity preservation).

I believe Scottie said that 1) Rove still has his clearance, and 2) he still holds the title of Deputy Chief of Staff. Now, what does Scottie know? He’s a short-timer. But if he’s telling the truth, then some of the speculation can’t be right.

Though I think MK raises an important point–if they can remove Karl from his legal employment before the indictment, he stands a better chance of being able to continue his duties after getting indicted. I’m just not sure that has happened yet.

Leopold confirms Jeralyn’s rumor that Fitz met the GJ yesterday, with on the record quotes from Luskin backtracking on previous claims minimalizing Rove’s jeopary and a direct statement that Rove has no made plea deal.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042006Z.shtml

obsessed, I think your suspicions are well placed. Leaks from Luskin to Leopold could result from several unrelated factors. 1) Rove and Luskin aren’t sure if the GJ will indict. 2) Leaking to Leopold allows them to say, â€that’s old news,†if the GJ does indict. If the GJ doesn’t indict, Rove and Luskin haven’t punked their usual journalists. 3) VandeHei and others may simply be refusing to publish Luskin’s leaks anymore.
I certainly hope Jason’s reporting turns out to be accurate.

As far as I know, Fitz hasn’t leaked anything. All that â€secret grand jury testimony,†stayed secret under Eliot Ness with a sense of humor.