Yes, it's true. Karl Rove is taking a hike. He says it's for family reasons, which is SOP for anyone in the Bush Administration who wises up and gets the hell out. Actually, it's clear Rove knows that Bush has no power to move any agenda, and that the next 18 months will be non-stop investigations and hearings.

Smart rats jump off the ship before it goes under, and no one ever accused Rove of being stupid.