Just exactly how does an informal advisor step aside? What does that mean? I'm serious. I have no idea what that statement means objectively and think it might, actually, mean nothing.
This kind of "stepping aside" announcement device is simply public notice that the campaign has decided that this guy is tainted, and that they are walking far enough away from him to not get splattered when the big hammer hits him.
He's only been an "informal advisor" since this story broke.
Any mention of his role in the Kerry campaign prior to this news list him as a "Key Advisor", or as I saw in one piece last night, a "Chief Advisor"