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Rove resigns - where will he go next?

Posted: Monday, August 13, 2007 5:12 PM by Hardball

In a new segment, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews gives his take on the day's top headlines. 

It's the end of an era in Washington
Karl Rove, the President's most trusted adviser has resigned effective August 31.  Rove's a political warrior who played politics like a blood sport and the big question today is where will he go next?  Will he work on the 2008 campaign?  Will Rove continue to be a ramrod in Republican politics?  He won't talk to Congress but odds are that he'll be out on the lucrative lecture circuit.  So if you want to hear what Rove has to say, you might just have to pay to hear him. 

New Yorker takes a look at Rudy
And, this week's New Yorker takes a look at how Rudy Giuliani just might be able to win over the party faithful. The big question posed by the 20-page piece, "Is what New York never liked about Rudy Giuliani exactly what the heartland loves?"

Is Hillary a drag? 
 The Associated Press has talked to 40 top Democrats about what a Hillary nomination would mean for the party.   By and large, these Democrats, almost all of them talking off the record, believe that a polarizing politician like Hillary could cost the party some congressional seats.  Still, Sen.Clinton remains the clear frontrunner and she begins to air her first TV ad in Iowa.

Huckabee in Iowa
Mike Huckabee is riding a big wave of publicity after a second place finish in the Iowa Straw poll.  Mitt Romney won but spent a fortune to do it.  The big question is can Huckabee turn this newfound fame into fortune and raise the kind bucks he needs to stay competitive in the race?

Reinstating the draft?
And finally, President's war czar, Douglas Lute, raised the ugly head of a return to the military draft when he appeared on NPR.  Should this country reinstate the draft? 

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Chris:  I say reinstate the draft.  It can't happen soon enough.  

A draft would level the playing field and spread the burden of protecting our freedom more fairly across economic and cultural lines.

With a draft congressmen would face greater accountability for their decisions and would be much more careful about voting for the use of U.S. armed forces.

My generation faced the draft in the 1960's and survived very well.

I watch your program most nights and I appreciate your relentless push for the truth.  

Larry Dooley - Chicago, Illinois (Sent Monday, August 13, 2007 7:42 PM)

Yes, Hillary is a drag.  for one thing, Bill never could translate his election success to other campaigns.  neither Clinton have coattails.
For another, Hillary is a problem herself.  Republicans and Independents hate her.  Many in her own party dislike her enough to say they refuse to vote for her.
I hope everyday that people in my party will wake up and see how awful it would be for the country to have her as president.  She is not change.  She is more of the same.  And her DLC ties, corporate cozying, getting fundraisers from Murdoch, she is the establishment candidate simply because she is more of the same.  She will continue the era of polarization and failed policies that have been so much of the past 20 years.
This country is rapidly falling and failing.  We need to dump the dynasties of the two most dysfunctional families in politics and move on to the future, not the past, with someone new.
Why democrats keep making the same mistakes in chosing a candidate over and over again is frustrating.  They always pick the least likable, least personality, least electable to nominate.  For some reason Democrats cannot get it through their heads that in order to win you need a candidate that excites people and one they actually like.

diane (Sent Monday, August 13, 2007 7:59 PM)

I would say Chris that Rove resigning is not "the end of an era" but the beginning of the end of the Bush Regime and dynasty, with soon to follow heat from investigations.  43's lost most of his power.  Would have been nice had the Dem's won control over the Senate back in November.  We'd already be on our way, out of this bogus war, to some degree anyway.  Look for Cheney to be the next Scapegoat, when the Senate hearings turn up the heat.  Wanna see this war end quickly, reinstitute the draft!  

Michael Harris, Tampa, FL (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:07 AM)

All candidates who want to win in 08 should promise not to hire that crook! He's the one that should have been on trial for the Valerie Plame indicent, not Scooter Libby.

Allan D, Anacortes WA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:00 PM)

Yes, the draft DOES need to be reinstated, but in a different format than in the past.  All youths - male AND female - should be required to serve country in some capacity for 2 years between high school & college.  Service could be in armed forces, a new Civilian Conservation Corps, VISTA, Peace Corps in US, or other such.  No exceptions (except medical)!   Other countries do it, we should, too!  I am 56 & lost many friends during 'Nam, but feel this approach would really vitalize our youth who desperately need a "cause" to get them out of their self-absorbed lives & pay attention to what is going on around them.   Apathy is rampant now.   Would benefit everyone.      

Sarah Gray, Lake, MI (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 1:30 PM)

I totally agree with Sarah from Lake, Mi.. I cann't add anything. She has captured my thoughts on this subject. I have felt the same about service to our country for over 10 years now. It's time to move forward on this idea!!

Dennis Rhodes, Green Bay, WI (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:23 PM)

I agree whole heartedly with Sarah Gray. Either we accept responsibility for the next cople of generations in this country and establish a method for instilling humility within them, or the USA could ultimately collapse. Regarding Rove; what difference will it make now that he has resigned? Too bad it didn't happen before the 2004 elections.

Ken Harding, Olathe, Kansas (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:23 PM)

I feel the best place for Karl Rove would be Iraq.  He could steer their ship of state and help them attain the civil rights robbed from us when he was our navigator!

Bev Beckwith, Scranton, PA. (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:25 PM)

To read comments from Sarah and others of her ilk makes me sick. Citizens of this country should have the right to choose their own destiny.  If the United States Military wants more people then raise salaries and benefits.  A volunteer is a much more motivated individual then a person forced to serve!

Joe Strick (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:38 PM)

The draft is an equalizer only if it is absolute, no running home to Daddy like Bush.  The despicable ruse of hiring mercenaries would have no justifcation. Sarah G. has the foundations correct; universal service to include border security, airport security, seeking out illegal immigrants and general cleanup of our cities would make our nation cleaner and safer.
One afterthought perhaps a retroactive service requirement for those like Cheney, Rove, etc who received preferential treatment during the Vietnam Era. I served during Vietnam,I enlisted,now a 100% disabled vet, no regrets.

Robert J Mc Gillen, Mankato ,MN (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:41 PM)

Greetings Chris,
I like the idea of a Draft with alternative service as an option too. I served in Vietnam also. By the way, is there dichomotomy in my desire for a candidate that is for universal health care AND eliminating the IRS, 5 weeks vacation and 35 hour work weeks for everyone?
Best Regards

Ron Schmidt, Oakwod, Ga (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 4:04 PM)

The prospect of reinstating the draft has a snowball's chance in hell of actually happening, for the following reason:
1.  If the draft were reinstated, Bush would lose most of his remaining congressional protection for his Iraq policy.  If rich people were drafted to fight in a poorly managed war (aka Vietnam), the impact to congressional opinion would be drastic (especially for someone up for re-election in '08).  

It is possible the Bush administration could enact the draft, as Rove is no longer functioning as "Bush's Brain".  This designation now belongs to Dick Cheney.

Scott Knapp, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 4:15 PM)

Because our government, from the beginning has screwed up the war in Iraq we are now talking about bringing back the draft.  We already had a well trained, educated, and motivated military until Rumsfeld and Cheney got their hands on it and used it as police force which it never was intened to be.  They have degraded all branches of the military.  In any other modern country they would have been tried and sent to jail.  Bring back the draft, ridiculous.  There is no way my son or daughter is going to be forced into fighting a war that the country was lied to about and then criminally mismanaged.

Richard Hill, Ishpeming MI (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 4:18 PM)

I've never been particularly a Hillary Clinton fan. I've voted both Republican and Democratic in my 36 years of voting so far and I fully intend to cast my vote for Clinton next year.  When I'm honest with myself about the Republicans, I can't bring myself to vote for the over-hyped Giuliani, or the flip-flopping small varmint hunter.  How on earth are they qualified to be president? On the Democratic side, I like Edwards and Obama, but Hillary has the edge in having lived thru 8 years of a far better administration than we've endured for the past seven years.  I believe she has the intellect, the stamina and the connections that matter.  

Frankly, the reason this country is so polarized with a fair number hating the Clintons is due mostly to the emergence of FOX News, Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the one-sided media which has mis-reported, distorted and in general, trashed everyone who doesn't fit the ultra-right stereotypical Republican. This is not the Republican party of my grandparents or even my parents.  I'm comfortable voting for Hillary, both as a pro-Clinton vote as well as an anti-Limbaugh/FOX/Coulter, et al vote.

William C Fields, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 6:36 PM)

You ask, "ROVE RESIGNS - WHERE WILL HE GO NEXT?"

How about Iraq?  And please, take Gonzalez, Cheney and the rest with you.

William C Fields, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 6:39 PM)

I am a Republican conservative and reinstating the draft with an alternative option of national service would resurrect American values that made us great....a bit of self sacrifice totally across the board would bring some balance in more ways than we have ever seen.

d. m. tiger, iowa city, iowa (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:33 PM)

Chris,
Don't you remember Vietnam?  How long were we at war then?  We had a draft!  The elite did not serve.  They stayed out just as our President did.

Also, you can't see the documents from the Rose firm, as you said, because a lawyer's documents are privileged.  I'm all for Hillary opening up her files as first lady.  However, I'm all for Giuliani opening his documents from his years as NY mayor and Romney doing the same from his time as governor of Massachusetts.

Del Kram, Longmont, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:06 PM)

As a veteran of 24 years, I believe in an equal draft.  However, in the past rich folks can get out of it like G.W.Bush by guarding the skies over Texas and then transfering to Alabama and Deserting.  I believe all youth should serve right out of high school as this would stop poor kids carring the load, as happened in Nam.  How many Senators kids are now serving now.  Not as many as should be if their parents voted for war.  They would be reluctant to vote to send their own off to a phony war which we are now fighting.

Roger Adams, St. Thomas, USVirgin Islands. (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:55 PM)

A draft is involentary servitude. Is that what we want?

To force under threat of incarceration some of our people to serve the aims of those in power?  Is that what the WE want?

People:  who controls whom?

Are you a statist that government can do no wrong, or a lover of freedom that believes in the words of George Washington: "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."

If you're in favor of a draft, then you believe that all should be slaves to the whims of government.

You make me ill.

B Rose, Middletown, CT (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:11 PM)

Go head, bring on the draft.  You better get ready for some NASTY protests.  Wrap yourself in the good ol' red white and blue.  Here come the coffins.
IDIOTS

Andy Baker (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:37 PM)

Mandatory military service for all young people is completely un-American.  The fact that other countries require something is NOT a good justification for America to do it.  If today's generation is disaffected and apathetic, then all of you good Vietnam veterans (many of whom raised the present generation, and most of whom seem to be supporting the draft) are solidly to blame.
 Perhaps instead of mandatory military service we could have mandatory parenting seminars?
   

Stephen; Las Vegas, NV (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:55 PM)

I think reinstating the draft w/o deferments except real health issues - not just a letter from your doctor and institution of taxes to pay for the war would help redefine what war is all about. It would also help if instead of a dead & casualty list we'd see the spilt blood and gore of war in our media. Yea, war is hell and it would help people to understand its real consequences. I'd also like to see Bush's daughters volunteer to serve in the military in support of daddy's war making policies.

k winghart (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:54 PM)

Don't be fooled. Rove resigned to devote all his time to preventing Hillary being elected.

daisy (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:03 PM)

What we REALLY need to stop doing is invading sovereign nations with the naive notion that we can actually change their way of thinking and living with military might.  How can we possibly say we are safer today from terrorism than we were four years ago?  Our armies are out of the country.  Are we now not more vulnerable?  What about the terrorist cells  that exist here at home?  We have a fire here in our own basement, so we send the fire truck to another town!  We do not need the draft.... we need a professional army here at home to defend us here.  

mel olson, hudson, WI (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:09 PM)

Karl Rove resignation is a very well played scenario, in the same vein when Rove said last November that the Republicans were going to keep both houses of Congress. What Karl Rove did by such statements was catastrophe management. The issue was not that Rove was wrong rather why did Democrats pick such little amount of seats that they are unable to pressure the White house a drastic shift in the war in Iraq; this is what Rove true legacy. Even while losing, he managed to stop the bleeding

Val, Tampa, Florida (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:28 PM)

I am absolutely against a draft.  The party that tries to reinstate it will be out ot power in a hurry. I have 3 boys in their twenties.  To put them at the mercy of an incompetent like Bush or a war monger and profiteer like Cheney is criminal.  What most people don't remember is that real people are losing their lives because of Bush's folly in Iraq.  While politicians debate the issue our nation's best are dying.  The only thing different about Iraq from Vietnam is the draft.  To force people to fight that didn't sign up for it would mean a repeat of Vietnam.  My suggestion is that all you people who think it is a good idea should pick up a gun and get over there.  I am ready and willing to help protect our country when it is threatened, not when we are invading a country that is no threat to us.  I find it hard to believe that people still think we are doing something good by fighting in Iraq.  Do you really believe that putting your son's and daughter's lives in the hands of Bush and Cheney is a good thing?
As far as the guy who said his generation faced the draft in the '60's and did well, I quess some people didn't, they died in Vietnam.

Gee Pope (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:29 AM)

where is Ron Paul?

caseyc. arlinton tx (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:09 AM)

This whole war in Iraq is nothing but a sham and a boldfaced lie.  If this conflict is so vital to the future of America, why doesn't the president and the military establishment own up to the true cost of fighting it and reinstate the draft.  

Gene T, Waco, Texas (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:50 AM)

Reinstate the draft?  You must not have any children who will be forced to sign up for a war that is not a war against terrorism but a war designed to put our bases in countries and to harvest their natural resources to line the elite's pockets.  The signs are all out there.  You can read on the internet and follow the timeline of September 11th.  The US government is just as responsible for that as is the terrorists.  Our government knew about it and they are using fear of future attacks to continue a war that they don't want to win.  They just want the oil.

Leah Hinkle, Flora, IL (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:12 PM)

Reinstate the Draft?

Please!!! Only if every every President's, Senator's and Congressman/woman's son or daughter is required to sign up first and be sent to the front lines.  

Irene Hommert, Kirkwood, MO (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 3:50 PM)

As a three time Iraq vet, Desert Storm and to Op Iraqi Freedom tour. And also as the father of two sons who are also veterans of OIF, I whole heartedly support a draft. Everyone should serve there country. Now do not think that I am pro war. Those of us who do the dirty work despise war most of all. We don't see politics, only brothers in arms sharing a common experience. And many of us are conservative leaning. And when we see the liberal left saying they support us and then out of the other sdie of there mouth accuse of of terrorizing women and children, bombing villages and killing innocents is pure vile.
Now getting back to the topic of the draft. If politicians had children over there serving in this, maybe they would truly understand what is going on over there and be more supportive. And if we had the draft maybe we would be able to end this and return to peace. Every true warrior wants peace,not just the whining,crying liberals or the pretend conservatives.

Charles Kindstrand,Sr (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 8:19 PM)



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