My impression of Rove's job change is that the administration wants him doing what he does best...winning elections for Republicans. There is no doubt that the republicans need him heading into November.

Is anyone in the mainstream media talking about the Fitz investigation and whether it is impacting Rove's security clearance?

What was duc de Cardinal Richelieu's job title?

While I tend to agree with the election point (that is what he does best, theoretically), I think the announcement is little more than a distraction. Among the other staff changes, Bush wants to give us the impression that Karl is out of the picture. Personally, I'm not buying it.

I think it's just a sign that the administration is finding out what's been obvious all along: Rove is no genious. He simply has no conscience.

He's an effective campaign strategist because he is willing to do anything it takes to win, no matter how repugnant. Where others hold themselves back a bit, he's always pushing forward, treading new ground and pushing the envelope on how many and what kind of evil deeds can be used to tear down the opponent.

In policy making, that skill isn't so useful. But in getting idiots, incompetents, and fanatics elected, it's proven to be absolutely essential.

Unless Rove volunteers to drink the hemlock, his job is safe so long as Bush sits behind the decider desk. Who else knows where so many of the Bush bodies are buried?

As with all things in this adiministration, this is nothing more than the appearance of a change. The reality is that things will continue as usual. They can announce that Rove's "role" has been "reduced" but if you believe that then you also probably believe that no one could have guessed the levees would break in New Orleans, the Medicare cost estimate before it was passed, the Iraq and Al Qaeda links and that no child will be left behind. This administration is only about talking points and politics -- not policy. Politics are great for winning elections (short term) but bad for governing (long terrm). Politics are about 30 second sound bites while policy requires long term planning and execution -- two thing sorely lacking over the last 5 years.

What has really changed? Rove still has the presidents ear, he remains the eminence grise behind the scene. The only thing that is still to be decided: When will Karl be indicted in the Valerie Plame affair? It is obvious that he was involved. The only reason the job was revised is to cover King George W's back in case there is a situation like Scooter Libby's. The only effective change in the White House would be an impeachment of both Bush and Cheney ,hopefully possible after November.

I like how the initial report on all of this Rove business (which I am more inclined to believe) was that Rove, himself, made the decision not to continue to directly influence White House policy-making. The next day, it was "Rove was demoted!" Please. Rove will continue to do whatever he wants at the White House, assuming whatever title most suits his purposes. All of this "restructuring" is nonsense. The Bush Administration is demonstrating it's commitment to change, by getting rid of McClellan and allowing Rove to give himself a different title? If that's change, then I'm going to go home, put on a different pair of pants, and tell my wife that I'm a Changed Man!

In case the he has forgotten, Rove is in charge of Katrina relief and reconstruction. How's that working out for him?

What precisely does that mean? Strong-arming members of Congress into supporting the Bush agenda? Spinning madly to keep Republicans in power come mid-terms? Figuring out a way to keep himself and his bosses out of the pokey?

I'm thinking it's mostly the latter.

Why should the American people pay for any of this? I say let Georgie or the RNC pay Karl's salary, since it seems that Bush is the only beneficiary of Rove's activities. OK, Republicans, too, but you get the idea.

I find it curious that nobody seems to notice the method the White House has used to manage this situation. Think about this for a moment:

The press and the public have spent most of the day discussing the departure of Scott McClellan – as if this story is more important than the "reassignment" of Karl Rove.

Can't you figure out what's going on here? They've used the cover of McClellan's departure to take the fire (scrutiny and focus) off of the Rove move.

McClellan is at best a clown. The real story is Rove. The tactic is opportunistic diversion. And the American public is the mark, yet again.

KKKarl Rover has had his hand up widdle georgie's ass for more than a decade, and it's stay right there. Sometimes you can see KKKarl's fingers through commander codpieces' nostrils. Rover is the re-incarnate Josef Goebbels, wattle, waddle and all. He needs to be at the Nuremburg-style trial when all these PNAC fascists are brought to justice.

Rove has just been given free time to engage into what he does best: savage and smear Bush's opponents. Watch for a revamped version of the Swiftboating action -- against the "rebel" generals; vicious rumors about Democratic candidates and their families; constant pounding of the message that the Democrats are soft on terror; etc... However vile and vicious you think the Republican campaign is going to be, I am sure that, with Rove acting behind the scene, it will surpass your expectations (and mine).

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that these PNAC fascist will not do to retain power. they know that if we regain one house of Congress they are well and truly fucked. Subpoona power, public hearings...oh, the heart does race. Watch for Diebold/Lieboldly stratetergy, private planes going down in clear weather, witnesses jumping off bridges unwitnessed in the middle of the night. You know: just like the shit they've already done.

Real answer:

No change. I never believed that Rove had any real policy duties in the first place. His "policy" title was just that: a title without duties; Rove was always 100% a political operative.

In fact, in this administration, where governing--especially in the domestic realm--almost always take a back seat to politics, Rove was very important--working the political angle of every issue.

He's busy preparing the October Surprise for Congressional elections. You heard it here first.

Well--not first, but early.

Randy Fritz