Q: What will the resignation of Karl Rove from the White House staff mean?

A: That’s like asking what it meant when Vlad the Impaler hung up his spike. A lot less looting, pillaging and sacking of cities for one thing.

Q: Was Rove really that important?

A: Yes, he was. He was the president’s chief political strategist and hit man, no more malign than the rest of the White House crowd but far more effective. He was the architect of the divide-and-conquer strategy that proved so successful over two elections.

Unfortunately, while divide-and-conquer may win elections it is a hell of a way to run a country, which is why we now see the nation in disarray and Mr. Bush’s reputation in well-deserved tatters.

So, with no more presidential elections to fix and the White House looking like the orphanage in a Dickens novel, Mr. Rove said he’s leaving to spend more time with his family. His family’s loss is our gain.

Q: Do you think Barack Obama has enough experience to be president?

A: No, I don’t. Mr. Obama is a bright young man with a relatively short resume, virtually none of it in foreign affairs. He could use more seasoning. This is a trait he shares with all of the other candidates.

Don Kaul is a former Washington correspondent. Article distributed by www.MinutemanMedia.org.