Karl Rove’s work is done, apparently.
The Economist has a thoughtful/ detailed blurb about Rove’s resignation here. It cites Rove’s ability to get Bush re-elected in 2004 as his biggest triumph, which, you have to admit, was quite the feat. Rove knows his market: the American people, unfortunately, wanted the big, dumb approachable “guy next door” to threaten bad guys and reassure them.
It’s hard to deny that Rove is a brilliant strategist. Maybe he’ll have a crisis of conscience and put his strategizing skills to work for some charities as he eases into his retirement. Any bets on what he might get behind? Al Gore’s Save Our Selves? Valerie Plame’s book tour?