Storm cloud alert (Donna Brazile on Karl Rove's departure..small barf alert)

As I sat by my window and staring out at the wonderful Washington, D.C., landscape, my office announced a phone call from Air Force One.

Hmm. Been a while since someone called me from Air Force One or Two. But I knew it could be only one person: Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove. Despite our many political and policy differences, I have gotten to know and respect Mr. Rove's political skills. And I have the scars to prove it.

My first thought on hearing of the Rove resignation was that this is too good to be true. Mr. Rove is actually leaving a town where he's on everybody's A-list? No way. Mr. Rove packing his bags before January 2009? I didn't believe it, so Mr. Rove put the president on the phone.

President Bush, always cordial and down to earth, told me it was time for Mr. Rove to go and make some real money. Mr. Bush said Mr. Rove deserved to earn a good living and to take his wife, Darby, out once in awhile. I told the president Mr. Rove would also be able to afford to take me out for something better than the White House mess. Laughs aside, I am afraid this is not a good sign for Democrats. Mr. Rove's departure should be a wake-up call.

It's too early to be popping champagne or measuring drapes over in the West Wing. My gut tells me the departure of the so-called "architect" of Mr. Bush's political victories should serve as a warning sign to Democrats to be careful what you wish for.

At the Bush-Cheney White House, Mr. Rove was inside the system. He was constrained (theoretically) by the rules and strictures governing members of the executive branch.

Demagogues: everything that does not promote OUR agenda is ‘divisive’

Amazing how they can get away with this constant drumbeat of ‘divisive’ and “divide-and-conquer” and “wedge issues” whining against Rove, et al.

When Demagogues advocate leftist ideas and policies that simply their way of pursuing good politics.

If anyone advocates successfully for any slightly conservative policies, well damn, that’s just ‘divisive’....

p.s. A “wedge issue” is any issue that reminds the majority of Americans that the Demagogues stand for decadence, depravity, and the degeneration of American society.

Exactly how many e-mails did he send (and delete) from his Republican National Committee e-mail address to avoid the congressional scrutiny such communications would have received if they were sent from a White House address? We may never know. Mr. Rove managed and oversaw a huge piece of real estate in the West Wing — from the political shop to the policy wheel. Ultimately, he had a hand in shaping the Bush presidency. With low approval ratings, divisions in the ranks and a Republican brand out of sync with its base, Mr. Rove has plenty to do in retirement. He is a master strategist who knows how to work the system. He always has, and he will continue to do so from outside it. Message to Democrats: Mr. Rove is more dangerous in the shadows than he ever was in the spotlight.

Mr. Rove proved you can win elections with rumors, fear, division and manipulation. But you can't win hearts that way. People wise up. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes decades. Mr. Rove may be out, but he's not down, and he will not simply go away.

His genius, albeit largely nefarious, could take the GOP's right wing, single-issue base only so far before the inevitable backlash against his divisive tactics caught up with him. The country is now sick and tired of being divided. The voters yearn for a leader Mr. Rove once promised — someone to restore our faith in government, to, as Abraham Lincoln once said, "bind up the nation's wounds" and bring us back together.

"Karl Rove is obsessed with me."

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.