Is Karl Rove’s Resignation An Ominous Sign?
Is Karl Rove’s Resignation An Ominous Sign?
By: John Albanese
Knowing what we know about this administration and its apparent total disregard for the rule of law, and the general public’s wishes and sentiments, why did Karl Rove suddenly resign on the eve of this President’s biggest political fight?
Would it not have made more sense for Alberto Gonzalez to resign?
Given this administration’s record of obstinacy over issues of Congressional oversight, and its propensity for ignoring subpoenas, it seems somewhat curious to me that Karl Rove chose to suddenly resign now.
Certainly Rove was at the center of several high-profile investigations and the perception of wrong-doing, but those sorts of problems never seemed to stop this administration before. In fact, if the Valerie Plame scandal taught us anything it taught us that this administration places loyalty above all else.
So why did Karl Rove go?
Even more curious is the timing. September promises to be a highly charged month for this administration. With General Petraeus scheduled to report to the American public on “the surge,” and a huge budget fight looming, it is somewhat curious that Karl Rove is abandoning this administration in its time of need.
Even neo-conservative William Kristol seems perplexed:
"It is odd," Kristol acknowledged. "If I were President Bush, going into the biggest fight, arguably, of my presidency in September ... I think I would want Karl Rove with me in the West Wing."
So what is going on?
My suspicions, although purely speculative in nature, are shared by Jon Basil Utley of The American Conservative:
“Karl Rove may have resigned because he can’t dissuade Bush from attacking Iran, and he wants to be well clear of the political consequences.”
Even worse, with the current speculation of a possible false flag attack at an all time high, the sudden and inexplicable departure of Karl Rove seems troubling. Could Rove be taking his bows as a result of being at odds with the Dick Cheney’s cabal of neo-conservatives who may now be planning their next move?
This is, of course, all speculation. But, when we consider the extraordinary role Karl Rove has played in this White House, it is hard square his sudden and inexplicable departure at this critical time. And while it is certainly true that Rove is at the center of several investigations and scandals, none of them seem to rise to the level of critical mass for this administration. None of the current scandals would appear to explain the sudden and inexplicable capitulation of this administration. This administration appears to never capitulate to anyone on anything. Yet, suddenly, one of the most influential architects of power within the White House decides to leave on the eve of George Bush’s biggest political fight? Over missing emails and subpoenas that this administration has no intention of honoring?
Certainly Mr. Rove’s claim that he wishes to spend more time with his family is a farcical excuse.
Given this administration’s record it would appear likely that Mr. Rove’s departure was less the result of Democrat’s subpoenas – and much more likely the result of some internal crisis of policy in the White House.
Only one man would likely ask Karl Rove to leave. Only one man has the power to decide that Karl Rove’s time had come. Only a disagreement over the policies of Dick Cheney could drive Karl Rove from the White House. What those policies are, and what the future holds is a mystery, but, in my opinion, the sudden resignation of Karl Rove could only be the result of a very serious schism of power within the White House – and not the result of the spineless congressional pressure of the Democrats.
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I have no idea what Karl Rove's resignation means
But I agree with one thing: it can't be good.
Resignation over policy differences seems like a plausible theory--perhaps in disagreement with Cheney and Bush on Iran.
“[Congressman John Oliver] is deeply concerned whether we will actually have an election in Nov. '08, as he believes this administration will likely strike Iran from the air, declare a national emergency, and cancel the '08 elections.” Bob Feuer, July 5, 2007
“The balance in the internal White House debate over Iran has shifted back in favour of military action before President George Bush leaves office in 18 months, the Guardian has learned. The shift follows an internal review involving the White House, the Pentagon and the state department over the last month. Although the Bush administration is in deep trouble over Iraq, it remains focused on Iran. A well-placed source in Washington said: ‘Bush is not going to leave office with Iran still in limbo.’” The Guardian, July 16, 2007.
“One recalls that it was in August 1964, after the Republicans nominated Barry Goldwater, that the Tonkin Gulf incident occurred… As Congress prepares for its August recess, the probability of U.S. air strikes on Iran rises with each week. A third carrier, the USS Enterprise, and its battle group is joining the Nimitz and Stennis in the largest concentration of U.S. naval power ever off the coast of Iran.” Pat Buchanan, July 16, 2007
“The United States has decided to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, the country's 125,000-strong elite military branch, as a ‘specially designated global terrorist.’” Washington Post, August 15, 2007
“Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) called the Administration's latest idea to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization another step in the lead-up to war with Iran. ‘The belligerent Bush Administration is using this pending designation to convince the American public into accepting that a war with Iran is inevitable,’ Kucinich said. ‘This is nothing more than an attempt to deceive Americans into yet another war - this time with Iran,’ Kucinich concluded.” Congressman Dennis Kucinich, August 15, 2007
“A U.S. decision to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization fuelled speculation yesterday that the White House is laying the groundwork for air strikes against the hardline Islamic nation before President George W. Bush leaves office. Foreign policy analysts were surprised yesterday by the reported White House decision, which would mark the first time in history that the U.S. has formally declared the armed forces of a sovereign nation to be terrorists. ‘The United States has chosen to up the ante against Iran. This is a warning, or an indicator, that a major policy shift is unfolding within the Bush administration,’ said retired U.S. air force colonel Sam Gardiner, an Iran policy specialist and former war games planner at the National War College. ‘From a policy perspective, it's huge. Never in the history of warfare has another country declared another's armed forces to be a separate instrument from the state.’” Ottawa Citizen, August 16, 2007
“We're an empire now, and when we act we create our own reality."
Is this...
The real John Albanese?
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It seems like a benign move
Don't you think Rove is leaving for rather obvious political reasons (I mean, if you want to read the situation in terms of banal political conventions)? Like Rummy and the other Iraq War Folks, Rove is exiting before the 2008 campaign hits full stride. The GOP doesn't want these war criminals hanging around as they try to convince the American public that Romney, Giuliani, or whoever is somehow a different breed of Republican. It also looks like Rove is going to have some 'splaining to do, so it's better for Bush to distance him from the White House (at least superficially).
It's also not as though Rove and the other criminals have no say on matters once they are removed from the White House itself. I'm sure there are private networks of influence that continue long after these guys are no longer walking the halls. Shit, Kissinger still meets with Cheney on a monthly basis, right? What's Kissinger's official position in the White House?
I agree that something catastrophic is in the offing regarding Iran, but I'm not sure I would connect Rove's movements to it.
Josh Bolten reportedly told
Josh Bolten reportedly told senior staff to either leave now, or stay till the end of the term. To me this implies that the coming phase of their dark plan gave Rove cold feet. He's already done a lot for them, so they let him out early.