That sound you hear in the distance is the sound of liberal cheers, along with the prerequisite champagne bottle pops, as the news was made public this morning that long-time Bush strategist and friend, Karl Rove, is set to depart at the end of August.

The story and photo from AP, via myway news

On board with Bush since the beginning of his political career in Texas, Rove was nicknamed “the architect” and “boy genius” by the president for designing the strategy that twice won him the White House. Critics call Rove “Bush’s brain.”

A criminal investigation put Rove under scrutiny for months during the investigation into the leak of a CIA operative’s name but he was never charged with any crime. In a more recent controversy, Rove, citing executive privilege, has refused to testify before Congress about the firing of U.S. attorneys.

Bush was expected to make a statement Monday with Rove. Later Monday, Rove, his wife and their son were to accompany Bush on Air Force One when the president flies to Texas for his vacation.

“I just think it’s time,” Rove said in an interview at this home on Saturday. He first floated the idea of leaving to Bush a year ago, the newspaper said, and friends confirmed he’d been talking about it even earlier. However, he said he didn’t want to depart right after the Democrats regained control of Congress and then got drawn into policy battles over the Iraq war and immigration.

“There’s always something that can keep you here, and as much as I’d like to be here, I’ve got to do this for the sake of my family,” said Rove, who has been in the White House since Bush took office in 2001.

Rove’s son attends college in San Antonio and he said he and his wife plan to spend much of their time at their nearby home in Ingram.

Rove, currently the deputy White House chief of staff, has been the president’s political guru for years and worked with Bush since he first ran for governor of Texas in 1993.

Good luck to you Karl. Happy trails.

*Note to the vast right wing conspiracy: please check your super-secret email address for talking points and marching orders after Lord Rove’s official departure at the end of August.

Heh, Public Eye says, “Rove to resign, takes over Merv Griffin Enterprises.”