Democrats Rejoice!

[Gan]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Karl Rove, President Bush's senior political adviser, will voluntarily step down from his White House post at the end of the month, senior administration officials said Monday.

"Obviously it's a big loss to us, said deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino. "He is a great colleague, good friend and a brilliant mind."
Perino said Rove "wouldn't be going if he wasn't sure this is the right time to be giving more time to his family."

The president and Rove are expected to speak before boarding Marine One at the White House at 11:35 a.m. ET. Bush will head to his Crawford, Texas, ranch where he will remain for the rest of the week.

Rove, who has held a top position in the White House since Bush took office in January 2001, is to stand down on August 31.

"I just think it's time," Rove told the Wall Street Journal. "There's always something that can keep you here, and as much as I'd like to be here, I've got to do this for the sake of my family."

He denied that his departure is designed to avoid Congressional scrutiny as the Democratically controlled Congress tries to force White House staffers to testify in the case of several fired U.S. attorneys.

"I know they'll say that," Rove told the Wall Street Journal, "But I'm not going to stay or leave based on whether it pleases the mob."

more...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/13/rove.resign/index.html

__________________________________________________ _____

The man the Democrats love to hate! The Devil's first lieutenant is stepping down!

Is this because Leaky Leahy is getting close to finding the allmighty truth with his caped band of judicial crusaders?

Did someone finally photo him in an uncompromising position? Does Rove have an infamous blue dress following him around?

Tune in for more conspiracies as the story continues to break.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/3strangedays/tinhat.jpg

This post is rated, T for Tinfoil hat required.

[TheEschaton]

DING DONG, THE WITCH IS DEAD, THE WICKED WITCH, THE WICKED WITCH, DING DONG, THE WICKED WITCH IS DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAD.

[Ilvane]

I'm sorry, the title for this should have been

REPUBLICANS REJOICE!!!

I mean really, they should be just as glad.

Angela

[Skirmisher]

After all the damage this administration has inflicted upon the country it would take a great deal more than this inevitable occurrence to make me rejoice.

[Keller]

I'm sorry, the title for this should have been

REPUBLICANS REJOICE!!!

I mean really, they should be just as glad.

Angela

ROFL!

Why would they be glad? Now who will be the lightening rod for the Republicans?

They've got to find someone with so little political ambition that s/he can be blamed for all conspiracies dreamed up by the left.

[Gan]

ROFL!

Why would they be glad? Now who will be the lightening rod for the Republicans?

They've got to find someone with so little political ambition that s/he can be blamed for all conspiracies dreamed up by the left.

Winner.

Now the burden seems to have befallen Alberto Gonzales.

BZZZZZZZZZT!

Dont get me wrong, I'm sure the Dems wont have any trouble finding someone else besides Bush to villify.

[Parkbandit]

ROFL!

Why would they be glad? Now who will be the lightening rod for the Republicans?

They've got to find someone with so little political ambition that s/he can be blamed for all conspiracies dreamed up by the left.


Actually, I believe it was the liberals that made Rove into a larger than life figure.. since there is just no way they could be outsmarted time and time again by Bush.

[Xaerve]

I think you all are missing the point...

Rove quit for a reason.

I'm putting money on him going with Giuliani.

So Democrats, don't rejoice. He's coming back, I'd almost guarantee it.

[Gan]

I suppose the real question now is will Rove still be sought after by Leahy for testifying...

Can congress still compel him to testify, and can he still refuse?

At what point do you think that Leahy will realize that they will not be able to get Rove like they got Libby...

More news at 10.

[Gan]

I think you all are missing the point...

Rove quit for a reason.

I'm putting money on him going with Giuliani.

So Democrats, don't rejoice. He's coming back, I'd almost guarantee it.

I would dance the big honky dance in the middle of my street if he went with the G unit.

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/movies/pics/hitch1.jpg

[Xaerve]

I would dance the big honky dance in the middle of my street if he went with the G unit.


Haha-- I'm in a meeting and almost laughed out loud.

[Ilvane]

Oh, my god..I can't even imagine.

That would be very stupid of Guiliani.

Angela

[Xaerve]

Oh, my god..I can't even imagine.

That would be very stupid of Guiliani.

Angela


Why would that be stupid of him? Like him or not, Karl Rove is a mastermind.

[Ilvane]

Mastermind or not, he has a lot of baggage with him.

I wouldn't want any more baggage if I were Guiliani.

Angela

[Gan]

Oh, my god..I can't even imagine.

That would be very stupid of Guiliani.

Angela

That would be your worst nightmare.

And I disagree with stupid simply because you're such a flaming liberal.


Mastermind or not, he has a lot of baggage with him.

I wouldn't want any more baggage if I were Guiliani.

Angela

Baggage? What baggage? Has he been convicted of anything?

[Sean]

Neither has Michael Vick...

[Gan]

Neither has Michael Vick...

yet...

[Keller]

Actually, I believe it was the liberals that made Rove into a larger than life figure.. since there is just no way they could be outsmarted time and time again by Bush.

That's what I was implying. Not because he outsmarted them, but because they needed a villan. Someone on which to place the blame.

Bush is entirely too genuine and civil to be cruel and evil. Rove was, and will continue in eternity to be, the conspirators choice.

I wonder how long it will take before they realize that while Bush followed Rove, Rove followed the money. And the money is where the evil lies.

[DeV]

The conservative "spin doctor" aka "political genius" cuts and runs. I don't think he's going very far though. He's prime for the taking when it comes to his next moves in relation to the GOP. Also, Cheney's voice will no longer be challenged in the WH. Interesting times indeed.

[Nieninque]

And I disagree with stupid simply because you're such a flaming liberal.

Thats a pretty stupid reason to disagree with anything.

[Gan]

Thats a pretty stupid reason to disagree with anything.

Considering what it was responding to, I think it was right on point. ;)

[Nieninque]

Loonyvane: I think that would be really stupid of him.
You: I am going to disagree with you, purely because of your political beliefs.

Nah...I'm still not getting it.

[Ilvane]

Okay Gan, here's an on point question.

Have you read anything in the news on Rove for say..the past 5 years?

Angela

[Gan]

Okay Gan, here's an on point question.

Have you read anything in the news on Rove for say..the past 5 years?

Angela

Nothing thats convicted him of a crime. ;)

[Ilvane]

Okay, another question for you.

Is there a hell of a lot of smoke around Rove?

You really, honestly think he has never done something that he was accused of?

Angela

[Kembal]

Rove won't join anyone officially for '08. No one knows if he'll get dragged up to testify in front of Congress (by him leaving, the executive privilege shield is now less, since he's no longer an official advisor to the President), and to have the imagery of one of your top campaign advisors testifying on the Hill in regards to a scandal is not a good way to win the general election. Quite likely he'll work independently to support the Republican nominee once primary season is over.

I don't know whether I believe or not that he's actually leaving for family reasons or that he basically lost a power struggle with Josh Bolten, Bush's chief of staff. (that's a tough one to swallow) But there's no question there's a few investigations that have Rove involved somewhere. (Abramoff, Hatch Act, U.S. Attorneys, off the top of my head) Of course, it's also the possibility that the Republican Party considered him a deadweight. Who knows?

[Gan]

Okay, another question for you.

Is there a hell of a lot of smoke around Rove?

You really, honestly think he has never done something that he was accused of?

Angela

You're so predictable...

Here you go.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/3strangedays/tinhat.jpg

[Ilvane]

Yep, typical. I ask a question and you don't answer it.

Way to go..:clap:

Angela

[Warriorbird]

Point to Ilvane for once.

[Keller]

You're so predictable...

Here you go.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/3strangedays/tinhat.jpg

Your response is unfair and itself predictable.

She asked a reasonable question. The proper response is, "Why do you blame Karl Rove for any of those things?"

He is nothing more than a lightening rod. To think that he thought up and executed all of the things he's accused of without significant support both in and outside of the administration is naive.

[Kembal]

Alright, Gan, so you think the reason he's leaving is so he'll join an '08 campaign. McCain's not going to hire him, so we're looking at either Romney, Giuliani, or Thompson. (I guess you can throw Huckabee into the mix after his showing in Ames, but he doesn't have that much cash on hand to afford Rove.)

Knowing that Rove is in favor of a solution to immigration that makes Latino voters happy (because he believes the GOP is dead in the future if it doesn't gain the support of Latino voters), which of those three would take him on? Both Giuilani and Romney oppose any sort of amnesty. Fred Thompson hasn't declared yet, but he's said the same in public appearances.

Having Rove join them officially would put a counter to those claims of opposing amnesty. The part of the Republican base that's virulently opposed to any form of amnesty knows very well that Rove was behind Bush's immigration solution. Why would any Republican candidate choose to alienate those voters?

[Parkbandit]

I don't think Gan said the reason he is leaving is to join another '08 campaign. The only reason given by Rove for leaving was to spend more time with his family. I realize the stupid liberals of the world want to believe it's something much more sinister.. but we can only go by what we are told by him.

Anything else is speculative... and mostly stupid.

PS - When I used the term "stupid Liberal" and "mostly stupid", this was not referring to actually Ilvane, commonly known as Stupid. If I'm referring to her, I will capitalize Stupid, much like a proper name.

[Gan]

Alright, Gan, so you think the reason he's leaving is so he'll join an '08 campaign. McCain's not going to hire him, so we're looking at either Romney, Giuliani, or Thompson. (I guess you can throw Huckabee into the mix after his showing in Ames, but he doesn't have that much cash on hand to afford Rove.)
Incorrect, please re-read the thread and see where the postulation of Rove joining the Guiliani campaign came from, and why we're discussing it.


Knowing that Rove is in favor of a solution to immigration that makes Latino voters happy (because he believes the GOP is dead in the future if it doesn't gain the support of Latino voters), which of those three would take him on? Both Giuilani and Romney oppose any sort of amnesty. Fred Thompson hasn't declared yet, but he's said the same in public appearances.
PS. Thompson has officially dropped out.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/12/thompson.bid/index.html



Having Rove join them officially would put a counter to those claims of opposing amnesty. The part of the Republican base that's virulently opposed to any form of amnesty knows very well that Rove was behind Bush's immigration solution. Why would any Republican candidate choose to alienate those voters?
I dont think the part of the GOP base thats virulently opposed to amnesty in any form is as large as people give it credit for... they're just loud (much akin to the same group thats virulently opposed to same-sex marriage, gay rights, and abortion). I believe that the GOP is realizing that this group does not represent ALL of those who would vote Republican in an election and are trying to become more middle ground. However, thats still a battle thats being waged within the party.

So again, why would that hurt Guiliani if thats part of the same group as opposed to gay marriage and abortion, when clearly those are two issues that Guiliani and the GOP party do not see eye to eye on. ;)

[Gan]

I don't think Gan said the reason he is leaving is to join another '08 campaign. The only reason given by Rove for leaving was to spend more time with his family. I realize the stupid liberals of the world want to believe it's something much more sinister.. but we can only go by what we are told by him.

Anything else is speculative... and mostly stupid.

PS - When I used the term "stupid Liberal" and "mostly stupid", this was not referring to actually Ilvane, commonly known as Stupid. If I'm referring to her, I will capitalize Stupid, much like a proper name.

:rofl:

word.

(PS. I wonder how difficult it is for Backlash to see these threads active and being unable to take part in it. Yes, we know you're still out there Backlash. ;) )

[TheEschaton]

Ummm, that article says TOMMY Thompson dropped out, not Fred Thompson. How can Fred THompson drop out of something he hasn't even joined yet?

-TheE-

[Gan]

Ummm, that article says TOMMY Thompson dropped out, not Fred Thompson. How can Fred THompson drop out of something he hasn't even joined yet?

-TheE-

DOH. Wrong Thompson.

Fred is such a non-issue. The fucker needs to man up if he's going to run. He's on his 3rd campaign manager and has yet to enter a debate or declare he's running.

[Kembal]

I don't think Gan said the reason he is leaving is to join another '08 campaign. The only reason given by Rove for leaving was to spend more time with his family. I realize the stupid liberals of the world want to believe it's something much more sinister.. but we can only go by what we are told by him.

Anything else is speculative... and mostly stupid.

Correct. I misattributed that one. It was Xaerve who brought that up.

However, his only kid just went off to college. Fairly odd time to go spend time with family then?

[CrystalTears]

However, his only kid just went off to college. Fairly odd time to go spend time with family then?
"It's the most... wonderful time... of the year!"

Sorry, that commercial just leaped into my mind.

[Kembal]

Incorrect, please re-read the thread and see where the postulation of Rove joining the Guiliani campaign came from, and why we're discussing it.

Yeah, my mistake. Sorry.


PS. Thompson has officially dropped out.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/12/thompson.bid/index.html

Wrong Thompson! Well, you just caught that now.


I dont think the part of the GOP base thats virulently opposed to amnesty in any form is as large as people give it credit for... they're just loud (much akin to the same group thats virulently opposed to same-sex marriage, gay rights, and abortion). I believe that the GOP is realizing that this group does not represent ALL of those who would vote Republican in an election and are trying to become more middle ground. However, thats still a battle thats being waged within the party.

So again, why would that hurt Guiliani if thats part of the same group as opposed to gay marriage and abortion, when clearly those are two issues that Guiliani and the GOP party do not see eye to eye on. ;)

Remember, abortion and gay marriage don't hurt Guiliani as much because they can just as easily wound Romney. (Romney was pro-choice before, and he was unable to get the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision on gay marriage invalidated via constitutional amendment) Both of those guys have no interest in pressing those issues too much, because it can backfire on them. (the second-tier candidates are firing with everything they've got on those two lines of attack, btw, esp. Brownback.) However, the one who picks up Rove suddenly now has to counter claims they won't oppose amnesty after all. It's an added weakness that hurts with this part of the base, and while this portion of the electorate isn't the entire Republican base, I feel fairly confident in saying that it makes up a good portion of primary votes.

Guiliani is already going to have to counter stuff about his philandering (esp. the story that he placed NYC's emergency preparedness center inside WTC 7 instead of somewhere in Brooklyn as recommended because he wanted a place to hookup with Judith Nathan covertly, even though the WTC was obviously a major target to hit for terrorists). Picking up Rove is going to hurt more than it can help.

[Kembal]

"It's the most... wonderful time... of the year!"

Sorry, that commercial just leaped into my mind.

Hahahah. I suppose that'd be a good reason. ;)

[Kembal]

DOH. Wrong Thompson.

Fred is such a non-issue. The fucker needs to man up if he's going to run. He's on his 3rd campaign manager and has yet to enter a debate or declare he's running.

Apparently his wife is the real campaign manager. That usually doesn't end well.

[Keller]

DOH. Wrong Thompson.

Fred is such a non-issue. The fucker needs to man up if he's going to run. He's on his 3rd campaign manager and has yet to enter a debate or declare he's running.

Fred Thompson is single-handed changing how campaigns are run.

His actions will no doubt change election/campaign law from 2008 forward. Talk about fucking loopholes, he found the granddaddy of them all.

[Warriorbird]

Fred Thompson will lose a ton of people money if he declares, thus he's holding it off as long as possible. I don't agree with him on much, but I respect him.

[Parkbandit]

Fred Thompson is single-handed changing how campaigns are run.

His actions will no doubt change election/campaign law from 2008 forward. Talk about fucking loopholes, he found the granddaddy of them all.

Not sure what you mean. Are you talking about how, after raising all of this money, he could simply not run for office and pocket whatever remains after paying off his "Election Campaign" bills?

[TheEschaton]

Well, if you think about it, by not declaring his run, but still having a presence enough to garner donations he can: A) take as much money as he wants from a person, and not cap it at 4200 like other candidates, and B) not have to run ads bashing his opponents, and watch while they tear each other up.

A ends as soon as he files the paperwork declaring him an official candidate. Then, campaign rules apply. I'm not sure if the rule is retroactive to funds he's already raised before he declares, but I imagine it doesn't.

-TheE-

[Gan]

Isnt that like playing in a massive game of dodgeball and hiding in a corner until all the other players put each other out, then declaring yourself the winner?

[Warriorbird]

It's Machiavellian....and a long time till the election. All he has to do is keep up a pulse.

[Kembal]

The only deadline is the various filing deadlines in the states to get on the primary ballot for the Republican nomination.

So he can keep up the charade maybe a month or two?

[Latrinsorm]

Is there a hell of a lot of smoke around Rove?

You really, honestly think he has never done something that he was accused of?He's as guilty as Khaladon, right? :)

[Gan]

He's as guilty as Khaladon, right? :)


ROFL

Touche

[Parkbandit]

He's as guilty as Khaladon, right? :)


THAT IS A FRIEND OF HERS AND YOU WILL REFRAIN FROM USING HIS NAME ON THESE FORUMS!!!

[Sean of the Thread]

For fucks sake why does Ilvane insist on posting in the grown up threads... I mean it was amusing for a little while....

I wish I could still get a laugh out of it.

[Ilvane]

:WTF:

I mean, don't you guys have something better to do than bug me? Seriously, it's a bit boring now.

Angela

[Parkbandit]

:WTF:

I mean, don't you guys have something better to do than bug me? Seriously, it's a bit boring now.

Angela


Sorry, but you bring most of it upon yourself.

[Warriorbird]

It's like this, Ilvane. Backlash is gone so they're feeling lonely.

[Sean of the Thread]

:WTF:

I mean, don't you guys have something better to do than bug me? Seriously, it's a bit boring now.

Angela

It's you're fault for posting stupid ass shit in political threads that are clearly over your head. If you don't like it.. simply don't post in the grown up threads.

To be honest at least it's not as bad as you begging for croakyoaky votes.

[Sean of the Thread]

It's like this, Ilvane. Backlash is gone so they're feeling lonely.

Backlash isn't gone.. he just has a new posting name.

[Warriorbird]

He's seriously posting? I thought the shame of being caught within 2 minutes would be too much for him. U2U me if it isn't that 1964 guy.

[Sean of the Thread]

Oh he's posting. Not in the threads you'd expect but he's posting.

[Keller]

Not sure what you mean. Are you talking about how, after raising all of this money, he could simply not run for office and pocket whatever remains after paying off his "Election Campaign" bills?

He doesn't report his funding.

He doesn't debate.

In general, no one scrutinizes him because no one knows a thing about him other than what he volunteers. Either the laws will change as a result, or more and more popular candidates will chose the Fred Thompson campaign blueprint.

It's really brilliant.

[longshot]

Actually, I believe it was the liberals that made Rove into a larger than life figure.. since there is just no way they could be outsmarted time and time again by Bush.

They were in awe that someone could create a cogent strategy that appealed to a large number of Americans.

Which of course is in stark contrast to the rather underwhelming "were not them" position.

When Bush's term does end, I don't see how it will fix the gaping hole present in a rudderless Democratic Party ship.

I'll let you all in on a little secret: "Hope" doesn't plug holes.

Glad to see that PB is still here...

[Parkbandit]

They were in awe that someone could create a cogent strategy that appealed to a large number of Americans.

Which of course is in stark contrast to the rather underwhelming "were not them" position.

When Bush's term does end, I don't see how it will fix the gaping hole present in a rudderless Democratic Party ship.

I'll let you all in on a little secret: "Hope" doesn't plug holes.

Glad to see that PB is still here...


About fucking time you returned. Where the fuck have you been?

[Parkbandit]

He doesn't report his funding.

He doesn't debate.

In general, no one scrutinizes him because no one knows a thing about him other than what he volunteers. Either the laws will change as a result, or more and more popular candidates will chose the Fred Thompson campaign blueprint.

It's really brilliant.


That's true. I think the guy has a shit ton of skeletons in his closet, besides his young hot daughter.. er I mean wife.. and he's still trying to bury them.

I know nothing political about this guy... I just know him from TV.

[Gan]

...

Speaking of skeletons in the closet. There's a skeleton from the past now.

[Artha]

About fucking time you returned. Where the fuck have you been?
This.