Busy the last several days—including a disorienting Monday morning trapped in the offices of a start-up insurance company, interviewing for a software development job that I became almost desperate not to take—so I missed seeing Richard Stevenson fellate Karl Rove all over the front page, the sort of gig normally reserved for the Washington Bureau's female staff. (Though the gender balance on the polishing of Republican knobs at the NYT has lately been swinging more into equilibrium, it seems.) More significant bloggers than Your Humble have already expressed their offense; the best takeout comes from Mick at Arran's Alley.

Still, like Jello, there's always room for snark. Let's note that the Times' assiduous post-election campaign to worm its way (back?) into the provisional good graces of the Bush White House seems to have evolved into something like a permanent beat. And let's further note that Stevenson's piece, which relies on a parade of Republican courtiers to attest to the absolute rightness and historical inevitability of Rove's ascension to deputy chief of staff for policy, is a piece of independent journalism in only the most laughably nominal sense. This is entirely a Karl Rove production—a mark of (ominous) favor given the Times, and a demonstration of the extent of Karl's unchallenged sway. Think any of Stevenson's "informants" (every one of them named, the better to underscore their submission) would have dared speak about Unka Karl on the record without his say-so?

To outsiders, it is hard to know exactly what to make of Mr. Rove's new role as one of two deputy chiefs of staff. ... Mr. Rove does not really need a new title to convey his power, especially after guiding the president to a convincing re-election last year. In retaining his title as senior adviser, he in any case has a job broadly defined enough to weigh in on big decisions whenever he wants.

But on the organization chart, the new post leaves him - or the half of him that is purely policy - beneath Andrew H. Card Jr., the chief of staff and one of only two people in the White House (Vice President Dick Cheney being the other) whose power and reach are in the same league as Mr. Rove's.

"I count on him to keep me well informed and have me get engaged at the right time to help drive policy recommendations to maturity so the president can consider them," Mr. Card said.

Mr. Card said, gritting his teeth down to a fine powder as he did so.

Given that the Stevenson article represents a Rove PR maneuver, can I add that I think this may be a good sign? DINO Marshall Wittmann is given the one modestly pointed, semi-outsiderish quote Stevenson is willing to allow himself:

"[Rove] blends political hack and propeller head in a way no one has ever achieved," Mr. Wittmann said. "No one is going to question his political expertise or his policy expertise. The question for him is always one of hubris."

The question is already answered. If Karl Rove believes that, at long last, it's his time to shine—if he really thinks he's ready for his close-up—well, by all means, Karl. Let's let him plaster his puffy, oleaginous visage over everything that happens these next few years. It may not register in Texas, where they're used to big ones, but most people get squeamish when roaches come out into the light.

posted by michael  2:03:21 PM  
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