The Rove is gone:

“Karl Rove, President Bush’s longtime political adviser, is resigning as White House deputy chief of staff effective Aug. 31, and returning to Texas, marking a turning point for the Bush presidency.

Mr. Rove’s departure removes one of the White House’s most polarizing figures, and perhaps signals the effective end of the lame duck administration’s role in shaping major domestic policy decisions. Mr. Rove revealed his plans in an interview with Paul Gigot, editor of The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page.

Mr. Rove, who has held a senior post in the White House since President Bush took office in January 2001, told Mr. Gigot he first floated the idea of leaving a year ago. But he delayed his departure as, first, Democrats took Congress, and then as the White House tackled debates on immigration and Iraq, he said. He said he decided to leave after White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten told senior aides that if they stayed past Labor Day they would be obliged to remain through the end of the president’s term in January 2009.

“I just think it’s time,” Mr. Rove said in the interview. “There’s always something that can keep you here, and as much as I’d like to be here, I’ve got to do this for the sake of my family.” Mr. Rove and his wife have a home in Ingram, Texas, and a son who attends college in nearby San Antonio.

In the interview, Mr. Rove said he expects Democrats to give the 2008 presidential nomination to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom he described as “a tough, tenacious, fatally flawed candidate.” He also said Republicans have “a very good chance” to hold onto the White House in next year’s elections.”

This should send Leahy into a fit as he’s been after Rove and Harriet Miers to testify in his cooked up AG farce. After resigning Rove will be a so-called “private citizen” and can therefore be subpoenaed without much protection - except for throwing up the Fifth. Leahy and Schumer will most likely spontaneously combust at that point.

Meanwhile he’ll write a book, yada, yada.

But even more intriguing is his reference to Hillary. Since Rove will be “out from under” he’ll be free to say and do what he wants and that will mean?

Yep, be on all the talk shows most likely insuring that everyone knows just how “flawed” Hillary is. Thus, he’s not finished yet, he’ll just be a hell of a lot more powerful. Get ready for Rove Version II.

Michelle Malkin with a roundup of reacts.

K. Lopez has a great point as well, “By leaving, Rove could be doing his last bit of service to the president: If it’s a successful last year, the myth of “Bush’s brain” may be laid to rest.”

Heh….Happy Monday!

UPDATE: Capt Ed with an excellent post on this with other links as well.