Exit the "Turdblossom"

Karl Rove announced Monday that he was stepping down as the President's political advisor. Reaction has been widespread, but the consensus with the modern left has been one of joy. They've always regarded Rove as "Bush's brain," meaning that the President couldn't do anything without consulting him. They're also salivating at the possibility of getting him before Congress to testify in any number of investigations, which I'm sure are completely above board and not at all partisan. (For those of you playing along at home, that was sarcasm.)

I wouldn't be so fast to cheer if I were a member of the modern left. Then again, I wouldn't have anything to cheer about if I were a member of the modern left, but I digress. Karl Rove's departure doesn't signal much for the left to cheer about. First and foremost, he hasn't really been that instrumental in anything since Bush was reelected in 2004. He's been taking a pretty low profile, mainly because there hasn't really been much for him to do. Sure, the modern left and some members of the modern right blame him for the Republcians losing Congress in 2006, but Rove wasn't running that show; the Congressional Republicans did.

Another reason to be less than happy with Rove departing is the timing. He may be saying he wants to spend time with his family, but with the election season about to heat up (because we'll actually have caucuses and primaries), and he knows how to win the big election. Don't think that the Republican candidates aren't trying to bend Rove's ear for advice. And if the rumors are true, Rove will be heading to the Fred Thompson campaign. That combination alone will prove to be a much bigger challenge than the Democrats think.

So, Rove's departure may be something the left can cheer for now...but once the implications of it finally sink in, those cheers will be replaced by gasps of disbelieve as Rove beats the Democrats again.