President Bush's top political aide Karl Rove has tendered his resignation as of the end of the month. Rove is the final major player from Bush's Texas brain trust to leave the administration.
Rove built a strong reputation around the political success of George W. Bush. He was part of the team that turned Texas from a blue Democratic state into a red Republican state in the 1980s. The political master also played a major role in Bush's election wins in 2000 and 2004.
However, when he took a larger role in policy with Bush's second administration he lost his golden touch. The administration has not had many successes in its second term.
There is little doubt that Rove's influence will be missed by some and not by others. While Democrats did not like Rove, they knew that he was a strong political adversary. Republicans have begun to distance themselves from the Rove-led Bush presidency.
Rove plans to spend some more time with his family. That is an admirable goal for any person.
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It is unlikely American politics has seen the last of Rove. He will likely reappear in the background of some future political campaign.
There is little doubt his influence has helped shape American politics. His political strategies are replaying in several campaigns for the 2008 presidential election.
