roving

Things seem to be heating up for Karl Rove. This quote from Poppy's speech at the CIA in 1999 doesn't really help: "Even though I'm a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors." Ironically, Karl Rove was fired by Poppy Bush's campaign in 1992 for a leak to Bob Novak...

Maybe Rove didn't reveal Plame's name and non-official cover status -- but he certainly was involved in the episode in some way, despite all the earlier denials. As usual, Juan Cole sums it up well here: "A man who would do what Rove did should not be in the White House in any capacity. And no person who tolerates a man like Rove in the White House should be commander in chief of American security."

So what will happen to Turd Blossom? Usually, a vote of confidence like the one Scott McClellan gave Tuesday is a sign of an impending departure to "pursue other opportunities." But Rove is awfully close to Bush, who doesn't like to be told who to hire and fire -- witness Rumsfeld's continued gainful employment. Consensus seems to be if he's indicted, he's toast, but otherwise he'll stick around. I think he'll survive, unfortunately.