RIP, Karl Rove. .... Enough of the man too many insiders have, for too long, feared and revered. He's been the primary mover behind the poisonous politics and wrongheaded policies of the last six years.

Let's revue the record.

Karl Rove, White House policy director:

Crafts policies designed to create GOP political gain that backfire. Medicare drug legislation, a windfall for big Pharma, backfires. Social Security privatization, seen as a risky scheme by seniors and ignored by youth, backfires. Energy policy, fails to acknowledge growing national consensus on global warming, fails to keep energy prices in check, backfires. Blocking stem cell research, to stoke small part of evangelical base at the expense of medical breakthroughs, backfires. Tax cuts, mostly targeted at ultra rich, drive up historic debt, ultimately backfire.

Karl Rove, architect of 2000, 2004, 2006:

In 2000, Bush secures Republican nomination after smear campaign whacks McCain in South Carolina. Bush loses popular vote, gains Electoral College after widespread voter suppression and trickery in Florida and blessing by the Supreme Court.

In 2004, one year into the war, three years after 9/11, while the country is still healing and mobilized behind the troops, Bush launches a campaign to divide the nation. Bogus character attacks on Kerry ("swift boat") and wedge issues like gay marriage appeal to worst aspects of electorate. Trickery in Ohio leads to victory.

In 2006, Rove attempts to nationalize election around terrorism and war. Public repudiates GOP on both fronts: lose House, (likely) lose Senate.

Enough.

RIP, Karl Rove.